New Apartments Projects in Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah

Yes. Al Marjan Island recorded 32% year-on-year apartment price growth in 2025 according to CBRE, with ValuStrat data confirming a further 21% year-on-year increase as of early 2026. The combination of freehold ownership, a tax-free environment and the confirmed 2027 opening of Wynn Al Marjan Island supports capital appreciation and rental income potential. Off-plan buyers benefit from structured developer payment plans that reduce upfront capital requirements while securing current pricing ahead of continued infrastructure-driven demand. Branded projects such as Gianfranco Ferré Residences by Mira Developments offer additional positioning advantages through design partnerships and turnkey delivery.

Gross rental yields for apartments on Al Marjan Island range between 6% and 9%, depending on unit size, furnishing standard and whether the property is managed under a short-term or long-term rental arrangement. Studios and one-bedroom units tend to deliver higher percentage yields due to lower entry prices relative to achievable rents. Short-term rental strategies linked to the island’s tourism base can produce yields at the upper end of this range, subject to occupancy rates and seasonal demand. Professionally managed branded units typically achieve more consistent returns than unmanaged inventory.

Yes. Al Marjan Island is a designated freehold zone within Ras Al Khaimah, enabling foreign nationals of any nationality to acquire full ownership of residential property. Buyers receive a title deed registered with the Ras Al Khaimah Real Estate Regulatory Agency. Ownership is outright freehold with no leasehold time limits, and there are no restrictions on resale to other foreign nationals. This freehold status is one of the primary factors driving international investor demand across the island’s apartment projects.

Ras Al Khaimah does not impose annual property tax, rental income tax or capital gains tax on residential real estate. The primary government fee is a property registration charge payable to the Ras Al Khaimah Municipality at the point of purchase, set at 4% of the transaction value. Standard transaction costs also include conveyancing, NOC fees and agent commission where applicable. The absence of recurring property taxes makes Al Marjan Island particularly attractive to international investors seeking a tax-efficient holding structure.

Wynn Al Marjan Island is a USD 5.1 billion integrated resort — the first licensed gaming destination in the Middle East — scheduled to open in 2027. The project’s tower topped out in Q4 2025 and interior fit-out is under way. Market analysts describe a pre-opening effect already compressing available inventory and supporting price increases across the island. Residential properties with proximity to the resort are expected to benefit from sustained demand driven by tourism-related employment, visitor spending and the broader elevation of Al Marjan Island’s international profile.

Yes. The island’s waterfront environment, low-density development pattern and proximity to established community infrastructure support family-oriented living. RAK Academy and the New British International School are within a 10- to 15-minute drive and offer British and IB curricula. Sheikh Khalifa Specialty Hospital is approximately 15 minutes away. On-island amenities across residential projects typically include children’s pools, play areas and landscaped green spaces, while the island’s beaches and promenades provide outdoor recreation. Al Hamra Golf Club and Al Hamra Marina are a short drive from the island.

Property investment in the UAE may qualify the buyer for a 10-year renewable residency visa subject to meeting the minimum investment threshold. The current threshold for property-based Golden Visa eligibility is AED 2,000,000, and as of February 2026 the previous minimum down-payment requirement has been removed. Several apartment projects on Al Marjan Island include units priced at or above this level, enabling qualifying buyers to combine residential investment with long-term UAE residency.

Al Marjan Island offers a materially lower entry point than Dubai’s established waterfront districts. Prime apartments on the island averaged AED 1,127 per square foot as of Q3 2025 (ValuStrat), compared to AED 3,500–5,500 per square foot for comparable waterfront product in Dubai. This pricing differential, combined with strong appreciation rates and a growing resort ecosystem, underpins the island’s appeal to investors seeking coastal exposure without Dubai-level entry costs.

The island’s residential pipeline covers studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, and four-bedroom duplexes and penthouses. Studios and one-bedroom units dominate the off-plan segment and attract investors targeting short-term rental demand. Larger formats cater to families and longer-term tenants seeking more space. Gianfranco Ferré Residences by Mira Developments offers studios through four-bedroom apartments and duplexes within a fully branded, fully furnished project at the tip of the island.

Market forecasts from Metropolitan Premium Properties project a further 20% price increase across Ras Al Khaimah’s prime coastal locations in 2026, driven by constrained supply meeting continued buyer demand. Al Marjan Island is positioned as the primary beneficiary of this trend, with the approaching Wynn Al Marjan Island opening reinforcing investor confidence. Off-plan transactions accounted for 84% of all residential sales in RAK in the first nine months of 2025, and this dynamic is expected to continue as new branded inventory enters the market.

Branded apartments on Al Marjan Island — those developed in partnership with recognised lifestyle, fashion or hospitality brands — consistently achieve higher per-square-foot pricing and faster absorption than non-branded inventory. The design pedigree, turnkey furnishing and associated hotel-style services create a differentiated product that holds its value through market cycles and commands rental premiums with tenants. For investors focused on resale liquidity, branded projects represent a more defensible position in a market where overall supply is growing.