Key takeaways
- Foreigners can own property outright and permanently in Dubai's designated freehold areas.
- The main transfer cost is a 4% fee to the Dubai Land Department (DLD), plus title deed issuance and admin fees.
- Off-plan purchases are registered in the DLD's Oqood system, and payments go into the project's escrow account.
- For many buyers, the hardest part is moving funds and passing bank and developer due diligence; settle the payment route before you commit.
Can foreigners buy property in Dubai?
Under Dubai law, foreign nationals can buy and fully own property in designated freehold areas such as Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, Business Bay and many newer communities. Official fees in these areas do not differ by the buyer's nationality.
However, banks and some developers apply stricter know-your-customer checks to buyers from certain countries. Check the developer's policy and make sure your payment route is clear before you sign anything.
Ready or off-plan?
| Ready property | Off-plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Handover | Immediate | When the project completes (often several years) |
| Payment | Usually in full or with a mortgage | Instalments during construction, sometimes after handover |
| Rental income | From day one | After handover |
| Registration | Title transfer at the DLD | Contract registered in Oqood |
| Main risk | Higher entry price | Project delays or changes |
Costs of buying property in Dubai
- Dubai Land Department transfer fee: 4% of the property value; the same rate applies when an off-plan contract is registered in Oqood.
- Title deed issuance and Trustee office admin fees, which depend on the property value.
- Agent commission on ready property (usually a percentage of the price; often none when buying direct from a developer).
- With a mortgage: mortgage registration fee (0.25% of the loan) plus bank fees.
- Annual service charges based on the unit's size.
On many off-plan projects, the developer pays part of the 4% fee as a sales incentive. Make sure any such offer is written into the contract.
Steps to buy property in Dubai
- 1Set your goal (living, renting out or residency through property) and a total budget that includes all fees.
- 2Choose an area and project; check the developer's track record, the project's DLD registration and its escrow account.
- 3Reserve the unit and sign the reservation form or sale contract (for ready property, the standard Form F).
- 4Pay according to the schedule: into the project escrow account for off-plan, or at transfer at the Trustee office for ready property.
- 5Register the contract in Oqood (off-plan) or transfer the title at a DLD Trustee office (ready).
- 6Receive the title deed or Oqood registration certificate in your name.
Key points for international buyers
- Before paying anything, confirm a legal way to transfer funds and prepare source-of-funds documents; banks and developers will check them.
- Pay only into the project's registered escrow account or the developer's official account, never a personal account.
- Check the project and developer in the DLD's official systems.
- If you want residency through property, review the Golden Visa rules first so the price and purchase structure qualify.
Frequently asked questions
Can foreigners buy property in Dubai?
Yes. Foreigners can own property outright in Dubai's freehold areas, although banks and developers may apply extra checks depending on nationality.
What is the property transfer fee in Dubai?
4% of the property value, paid to the Dubai Land Department, plus title deed and admin fees.
What is Oqood?
The Dubai Land Department's system for registering off-plan sale contracts, which records the buyer's rights in a property under construction.
Does buying property in Dubai give you residency?
Property worth at least AED 2 million can qualify you for the 10-year Golden Visa. See our Golden Visa guide for details.
Is it better to buy off-plan or ready property?
It depends on your goal: off-plan offers a lower entry price and instalments, while ready property gives immediate rental income and less construction risk.
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