Selling Your Business in UAE? Here’s What You Need to Know About Market Trends and Regulations in 2025
If you’ve been looking for the right time to buy and sell a business in the UAE, then the time has arrived. With tax relaxations, business-friendly laws, 100% foreign ownership, and easy business registration and licensing, people are looking to buy and sell business in Dubai or set up in Abu Dhabi instead of starting a new business from scratch.
However, we also understand that deciding to buy and sell a business in Dubai can be very overwhelming, and one wrong move could mean missing out on a golden opportunity.
That’s why, in this article, we’ll walk you through current market trends and buyer behaviors to help you make a smart, informed decision.
Current Industry Trends Affecting Business Sales in Dubai
The biggest element that you need to consider to secure the best deal for your setup is to understand the trends of the market and how these trends can affect your decisions about selling business in Dubai.
Industries Seeing Sales Activity
The first thing we need to discuss is the industries that are seeing high sales activity.
Right now, some industries in Dubai are doing really well, and that’s good news if your business is part of them and you are looking to buy and sell business in the UAE.
With the growing Dubai skyline, the latest trends in infrastructure, real estate, and construction business are flourishing, which keeps the business valuations strong, especially for companies linked to building, design, or materials.
This beautiful skyline and modern building structures, along with new and fun outing spots, are promoting the tourism and hospitality sector, especially after the Expo buzz and the events planned. This has created a stir amongst the investors who are looking to buy and sell business in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and other growing cities.
Moreover, the UAE is becoming the hub for international businesses, and the Dubai government is offering exceptional tech and e-commerce facilities, so more and more businesses are being attracted, leading to the growth of the tech and e-commerce industry.
Online stores, apps, and everything that is digital is getting a lot of attention from investors, and if your business is in one of these areas, you might find it’s a good time to buy and sell business in the UAE.
Real Estate & Infrastructure Boom
With mega-projects popping up in key districts, the demand for businesses that can plug into these developments has gone up. Investors are looking closely at hospitality setups, construction-related companies, and anything that has the potential to grow quickly alongside these new areas.
E-commerce & Virtual Business Models
The e-commerce market in the UAE is not just growing, it’s expanding fast and pulling in a lot of attention. Businesses that already have a digital presence or can be adapted to online models are getting more offers. Digital-first setups are seen as easier to scale and align with how people shop now.
Tech & AI Integration in SMEs
There’s also a strong push toward small and mid-sized businesses that are using technology smartly. If your operations are streamlined with automation or AI tools, buyers see that as a win. It means fewer hiccups and more efficiency, which makes your business stand out even more in the current environment.
Sustainability & ESG Compliance
DTAs include rules to resolve disputes and prevent double claims on the same income. If two countries both want to tax you, the treaty clearly defines who has the right and who doesn’t.
This gives your business legal certainty and peace of mind, especially helpful when managing your tax visibility across FTA eServices.
Government Regulations and Initiatives
The UAE government has made it a lot easier to run and sell UAE business, especially for foreigners. Free zones are a big part of that, as buyers love them because of the exceptional benefits like full foreign ownership, no import/export taxes, and simple setup processes. If your business is based in a free zone, it’s often more attractive to international buyers looking to buy and sell business in Dubai.
On top of that, the new visa rules (like long-term and golden visas) are helping expat business owners feel more secure about living and working here long-term. This kind of stability gives buyers more confidence to invest in an existing business rather than starting from scratch, especially those aiming to buy and sell business in Abu Dhabi, where competition and opportunity are both high.
Regulatory & Financing Trends
The new 9% corporate tax may seem like a big change, but it hasn’t slowed down interest, mostly because the UAE has balanced it with incentives for foreign investors. There’s also easier access to financing options like Sukuk and green bonds, which are helping fuel acquisitions and selling UAE business deals across sectors.
Trade Deals & Foreign Investor Access
The UAE’s trade landscape is also changing fast. CEPA agreements with several countries are opening new doors for international buyers. Add to that the updated rules in many free zones, and it has now become a lot simpler for foreign investors to transfer ownership, operate cross-border, and expand without a lot of complications.
Economic Factors
The impact of oil prices is not something new, especially for the people running a business in the UAE. When oil prices are high, there’s usually more market confidence, and people are more willing to invest. But when oil prices drop, buyers might become more cautious.
Then there’s the problem of inflation, of which we are all very well aware. It increases the cost of goods, rent, and services and reduces your profits. If your business is still doing well regardless of the inflation, it shows the strength of your company, making it more appealing to potential buyers who are actively looking to buy and sell business in UAE under stable and resilient market conditions.
Conclusion
Selling your business in the UAE in 2025 isn’t just about numbers on a sheet. You’ve got to look at the full picture. Real estate is booming, e-commerce is picking up fast, and buyers are really eyeing businesses that use tech smartly or have some kind of green angle. If you move at the right time and know what buyers are after, there’s a lot of opportunity.
Things like tax changes, new rules, how easy it is to get funding, and even oil prices can affect your sale. So it’s important to stay updated. At the end of the day, what really helps is showing off what your business does well—whether that’s tech, sustainability, or solid numbers—and having someone experienced to help you through the deal.
There’s no fixed timeline, but most deals take around 3 to 6 months. It depends on how well your paperwork is sorted, how clear the finances are, and how serious the buyer is. If everything’s in order and the business is in a good industry, things can move faster.
For now, there’s no capital gains tax, which is a big plus. But with the 9% corporate tax in place, some setups might be affected, especially mainland companies. VAT might also apply depending on what exactly is being sold. It’s always better to check with a tax advisor before you move forward.
Start with a solid NDA before you share anything sensitive. In the beginning, just give general info. Details like client lists, supplier deals, or financial statements should only be shared after you know the buyer is serious. Keep the full disclosure for the final stages.
Some buyers pay fully in cash, especially for small to mid-sized businesses. Others go for bank loans, private funding, or Islamic financing options like Sukuk. There’s also growing interest in using green bonds for businesses that follow ESG standards.
If you’re selling the company as a whole, then the employees usually stay on and the contracts carry over. But their benefits, visas, and dues need to be cleared properly. If you’re just selling assets, then you may have to end contracts and settle everything before handing over.
Selling assets means you’re handing over only what the buyer needs—like inventory, furniture, or maybe the client base—but not the actual business entity. Selling the full company means they get everything, including liabilities and ongoing contracts. What works best depends on your setup and what the buyer wants.
Usually, right after a strong quarter or financial year. Also, when your industry is doing well, like tourism during peak season or e-commerce during high sales months. Avoid listing it during market slowdowns unless your numbers still look good.
References
- ‘Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements’. Ministry of Economy UAE, https://www.moec.gov.ae.
ESG Disclosures Framework. 14 Aug. 2024, https://www.adgm.com/operating-in-adgm/obligations-of-adgm-registered-entities/esg-disclosures-framework.
