Dubai Construction Permits Surge 20% in H1 2025, Signaling Strong Market Momentum

18 Aug 2025 • 3 min read

Anna Fischer

Construction Content Writer

Dubai’s construction industry is entering the second half of 2025 with strong growth indicators. More than 30,000 building permits were issued in the first six months of the year, a 20% increase compared to the same period in 2024, according to Dubai Municipality.^[?]

The approved projects represent over 5.5 million square meters of licensed built-up area, all cleared for immediate execution. In July alone, approvals were issued for 1 million square meters, highlighting the sector’s accelerating pace.

Investor Confidence Driving Diverse Developments

Demand remains strong across both residential and commercial property sectors. Multi-storey commercial and investment buildings accounted for 45% of the total licensed area, while residential villas represented 40%, exceeding 2 million square meters. The remaining 15% covered industrial and public-use facilities.

In this regard, Mariam Al Muhairi, CEO of the Building Regulation and Permits Agency at Dubai Municipality, gave some insights about the advancement of Dubai’s construction sector.

These figures reinforce Dubai’s status as one of the world’s foremost construction destinations. The sector’s steady growth reflects the Emirate’s sustainable economic trajectory and underlines Dubai Municipality’s commitment to advancing the sector with smart, sustainable solutions.

By streamlining processes and embracing innovation and digital transformation, we continue to drive the Emirate forward in its mission to become the best city in the world to live and work in.

Mariam Al Muhairi

CEO of the Building Regulation and Permits Agency at Dubai Municipality

Dubai Construction Permits Surge 20% in H1 2025, Signaling Strong Market Momentum

Central to this efficiency is the Build in Dubai digital platform, which integrates Building Information Modelling (BIM) into its automated permit review system. This has improved application quality, minimized errors, and shortened turnaround times for consultants and contractors.

In parallel, the Municipality continues to enforce strict building codes, green building regulations, and universal design standards — ensuring accessibility and environmental responsibility in new developments.

This increase in permits not only reflects Dubai’s resilient real estate market but also signals a favorable climate for contractors and investors. With faster permit processing, strict quality standards, and a focus on sustainability, the Emirate is creating an environment where well-planned projects can progress from concept to execution more efficiently than ever before.

Anna Fischer

Construction Content Writer

Anna has background in IT companies and has written numerous articles on technology topics.

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