Nomo has revealed that in Q1 2025, 58% of searches for UK property from the GCC came from the United Arab Emirates. This was followed by Saudi Arabia (15%), Qatar (13%) and Kuwait (11%).
With GCC residents accounting for 11% of all international searches for UK property over the last five years, Nomo’s Property Pulse report provides crucial data on the current state of the market. Nomo believes that many UK brokers underestimate the scale of GCC interest and potential commercial activity this can generate.
The data highlights that in the first quarter of 2025, search activity peaked in January, with a notable resurgence in March following a slight dip in February. Nomo also reported its strongest quarter on record for property finance completions, driven by steady demand from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain.
Layla Hamidian, Head of Property Finance Sales and Servicing at Nomo, said:
“We’re seeing growing interest in UK property from GCC residents. Buyers are looking for holiday homes and investment opportunities, with London and the North West among the most popular areas. Key drivers include strong GCC economies, the enduring appeal of the UK market, and its historically strong return on real estate investment.”
In addition to new purchases, brokers Nomo work with cite a surge in refinancing activity, driven by customers exiting high fixed-rate deals from 2023. Average property finance rates peaked around 6% last year, and was likely even higher in specialist financing, prompting many to reassess their options amid recent UK interest rate cuts.
Hamidian added that, “While some UK brokers recognise the scale of opportunity and are adapting well, others still underestimate the potential. Understanding the specific needs of GCC buyers, especially around Sharia-compliant finance and cross-border transactions, is key. We’re always happy to speak to brokers looking to work with Sharia-compliant products and share our understanding of the market - something which the Nomo Property Pulse is also seeking to do on a quarterly basis. We also have Arabic speakers on hand to support transactions from start to finish.”
With Property Pulse, Nomo aims to offer a comprehensive, recurring insight into this increasingly important investment corridor in the UK property market. Future editions will continue to spotlight search trends, broker feedback, and current data from Nomo’s financing pipeline.
