Why Gulf buyers continue to back UK property
Nomo’s analysis of the latest Rightmove search data shows sustained interest from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)[1] residents looking at UK homes. At a time when many buyers are seeking stability and diversification, the UK’s reputation as a trusted destination for international capital remains a significant advantage.
The UAE continues to lead regional demand, accounting for 47% of all GCC searches for UK residential property.[2] This reflects the strength of an established buyer base, including expats, with long-standing personal and business ties to the UK.
The search data also indicates continued interest in regional UK markets, with Milton Keynes and Liverpool both ranking high. This aligns with the findings from Nomo’s recent thought leadership report, The Evolving Gulf Buyer: Why GCC demand for UK Homes is Becoming More Strategic[3], which found that GCC residents are no longer focusing solely on traditional prime postcodes. Many are now assessing a wider range of locations based on affordability and yield potential.
The recently announced UK-GCC Free Trade Agreement could add further momentum to Gulf residential investment in the UK.[4] Expected to boost the UK economy by £3.7 billion a year and strengthen cooperation in financial services, the agreement will further consolidate the close economic and cultural bonds that exist between the UK and the Gulf.
As Gulf buyers continue to look to the UK for long-term value, demand for specialist, Sharia’a-compliant property finance is likely to remain strong. To support this demand, Nomo recently launched Nomo Academy, a platform which offers training and resources for brokers working with GCC residents looking to finance UK property purchases. The Academy will be holding its next Sharia’a finance “myth-busting” webinar on June 17.[5]
[1] The six GCC countries are Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman.
[2] Rightmove 2026 Q1 data
[3] nomo-the-evolving-gulf-buyer-jan-2026.pdf
[4] UK and Gulf strike historic multi-billion-pound trade deal – GOV.UK
Important Information
[Disclaimer: T&C’s apply. Only available for properties in England and Wales. Nomo accounts are not currently available to UK residents. Your property may be at risk if you do not keep up the payments on your Nomo property. Nomo by Bank of London and The Middle East plc (“BLME”) is a trading name of BLME. BLME is registered in England and Wales (no. 05897786), authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. BLME’s Financial Services Register number is 464292 and registered office is at 20 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London E14 5HJ, United Kingdom.]
About Nomo
Nomo is the world’s first Sharia’a compliant cross-border bank, built for customers in the GCC who want an international banking experience. Our property finance offering was launched in 2023 for GCC customers looking to invest and safeguard their wealth in British bricks and mortar.
Nomo Property Finance was created to fill a gap in the market for GCC residents wanting to gain a foothold in the UK’s residential property market. Nomo offers residential and buy-to-let finance products to help GCC residents buy or refinance a home in the UK, whilst adhering to Sharia’a finance principles.
About Fiducia Commercial Network
Fiducia Commercial Network is a commercial finance ‘Appointed Representative’ network created to allow independent firms to provide commercial property finance and trading business finance options to their existing client base and network.
Joining the network provides opportunities for professional brokers to offer a full range of commercial finance solutions by acting as an Appointed Representative (AR) with the full support of the Fiducia Commercial Network team.
The Fiducia Commercial Network membership includes FCA authorisation and reporting, PI insurance, and NACFB membership, plus business, compliance, finance, system, and admin support from a company with over 20 years’ experience in commercial finance.
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