Office Rents in the UAE
Dubai: the averages
Research firms measure different stock, so their averages differ, but all three show rents well up on a year earlier.1,2,3
| Source | Average rent | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Cavendish Maxwell, H1 2026 | AED 189 per sq ft a year | Up 14% |
| Savills-tracked areas, Q1 2026 | About AED 238 per sq ft a year | Up 14% on a year; flat on the quarter |
| Newmark, using REIDIN data, Q1 2026 | By district, in the table below | Up 15% across the market |
Source: Cavendish Maxwell via Zawya: Dubai office sales reach AED 15.8 billion in H1 2026; Savills: Dubai Office Market Report, Q1 2026; Newmark: Dubai Office Market, Q1 20261,2,3
Occupancy across Dubai offices was about 94% in Q2 2026, which leaves little ready Grade A space.4
Dubai: rents by district
| District | Grade | AED per sq ft a year, Q1 2026 | Change on a year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Dubai | Prime | 422 | +16.9% |
| DIFC | Prime | 392 | +20.3% |
| Dubai World Trade Centre | Grade A | 284 | +6.3% |
| Business Bay | Grade A | 254 | +18.7% |
| Barsha Heights | Grade A | 218 | +32.2% |
| Jumeirah Lakes Towers | Grade A | 204 | +19.8% |
| Dubai Internet City | Grade A | 200 | +11.9% |
| Dubai Media City | Grade A | 200 | +11.9% |
| Sheikh Zayed Road | Grade A | 168 | -3.4% |
Source: Newmark: Dubai Office Market, Q1 20263
These are averages from REIDIN data published by Newmark, rounded to the nearest dirham and excluding service charges. Individual buildings and fitted space can cost much more or less.3
Abu Dhabi
- Abu Dhabi office rents averaged AED 2,182 per sq m a year in H1 2026, and prime space in ADGM exceeded AED 6,000 per sq m.
- Office occupancy reached 95%, and rents on new office leases rose 13%.
- Since June 2026 the cap on rent increases at renewal is 0%, so a landlord cannot raise the rent when an existing lease is renewed.
Source: Cushman & Wakefield Core: Abu Dhabi H1 2026 mid-year market update; ADREC: Abu Dhabi Real Estate Market Report for H1 2026; ADREC: Rental increase cap on renewals reduced to 0% (June 2026)6,5,7
Abu Dhabi rents are usually quoted per square metre. One square metre is about 10.76 sq ft, so AED 2,182 per sq m is roughly AED 203 per sq ft.
The extras on top of rent
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| VAT on commercial rent | 5% (residential rent is exempt) |
| Ejari lease registration, Dubai | AED 177.75 online |
| Lease attestation, Sharjah | 5% of the annual rent, at least AED 500 |
| Service charges | Not included in the district averages above |
Source: Federal Tax Authority: VAT FAQ on real estate; Dubai Land Department: Register or renew a tenancy contract (Ejari); Sharjah Municipality: Lease contract attestation service; Newmark: Dubai Office Market, Q1 202610,8,9,3
In Dubai, a landlord may raise the rent at renewal only within the limits set by the RERA rental index under Decree No. 43 of 2013.11
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is office rent in Dubai?
Dubai office rents averaged AED 189 per sq ft a year in H1 2026, according to Cavendish Maxwell. Prime space in Downtown and DIFC averaged about AED 390 to AED 420 per sq ft in Q1 2026.
Sources
- Cavendish Maxwell via Zawya: Dubai office sales reach AED 15.8 billion in H1 2026
- Savills: Dubai Office Market Report, Q1 2026 (PDF)
- Newmark: Dubai Office Market, Q1 2026 (PDF)
- CBRE: UAE Real Estate Market Review Q2 2026
- ADREC: Abu Dhabi Real Estate Market Report for H1 2026
- Cushman & Wakefield Core: Abu Dhabi H1 2026 mid-year market update
- ADREC: Rental increase cap on renewals reduced to 0% (June 2026)
- Dubai Land Department: Register or renew a tenancy contract (Ejari)
- Sharjah Municipality: Lease contract attestation service
- Federal Tax Authority: VAT FAQ on real estate
- Dubai Legislation: Decree No. 43 of 2013 Determining Rent Increase for Real Property
Figures checked 21 October 2026. Prepared by Invest-Emirates.ae for general information. It is not investment, tax or legal advice; please confirm details with a qualified adviser before acting.