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Buying Property in Dubai as a Foreigner: Ready, Off-Plan and Fees

Where foreigners can buy in Dubai, ready versus off-plan property, the purchase steps, the fees to budget for and how to protect yourself.

By UAE360 editors · · 6 min read

Buying Property in Dubai as a Foreigner: Ready, Off-Plan and Fees: minimal line art of a city skyline in desert gold, emerald and gulf blue
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Dubai is one of the easiest property markets in the world for foreign buyers. Foreigners can own freehold property in designated areas, the registration system is digital and transparent, and there's no annual property tax. Here's how a purchase works.

Where foreigners can buy

Foreigners can buy freehold property in designated freehold areas, which include most of the popular communities such as Downtown, Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Business Bay and many newer districts. Your agent or the Dubai Land Department (DLD) can confirm an area's status.

Ready or off-plan?

Ready propertyOff-plan
Move in or rent outImmediatelyAfter handover
PaymentMostly upfront or with a mortgageInstalments during construction, sometimes after handover
PriceMarket priceOften lower, with developer offers
RiskYou see what you buyDelays, changes and developer risk

For off-plan, check that the project is registered with the DLD and that your payments go into the project's escrow account.

The steps for a ready property

  1. Agree the price and sign the sale agreement (Form F) with a deposit, usually 10%.
  2. Get the no-objection certificate (NOC) from the developer, confirming no unpaid service charges.
  3. Transfer at a DLD trustee office, where the payment is made and the new title deed is issued.

Off-plan purchases are registered on the DLD's Oqood system instead, and the title deed follows at handover.

Costs to budget for

CostTypical amount
DLD transfer fee4% of the price
Registration and trustee feesFixed fees, depending on the price
Agent commissionOften around 2% plus VAT
Mortgage registration0.25% of the loan, plus bank fees
Service chargesYearly, per square foot, set by the building

Protect yourself

  • Work with an agent registered with RERA, Dubai's real estate regulator.
  • Check the developer's track record and the project's escrow account.
  • Compare service charges, which differ widely between buildings and affect your net yield.
  • Keep your target in mind: a property worth AED 2 million or more can support a Golden Visa.

See what a property could earn with our yield calculator, or get matched with a vetted partner.

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