On 17^th of April of 2019, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan who is the governor of Abu Dhabi and also the president of the UAE has signed a new, unnumbered law modifying Law No. 19 of 2005. That law governs real-estate ownership.Thanks to recent legislation, foreign individuals and legal entities can now own and gain complete rights to properties in Abu Dhabi\’s investment zones. To boost foreign direct investment, Abu Dhabi\’s government has changed real estate regulations to allow foreigners to purchase freehold property in certain zones. Before the modifications, only UAE and GCC nationals were able to own property.

This move drew a huge response from both domestic and international investors looking for high-end developments. More than 85% of the units were sold, demonstrating the market\’s hunger for high-end buildings.

Residential units in specially designated investment zones, such as those near the international airport, will be registered under Abu Dhabi\’s freehold law, and investors would get property ownership deeds. Prior to this, leasehold arrangements with a maximum length of 99 years were offered to foreign investors in Abu Dhabi property.