Frequently asked questions about buying property in Dubai
Everything about buying property in Dubai: the questions buyers ask us most often - answered honestly. Where laws, fees and deadlines are concerned, we name the official source so you can check everything yourself. Updated: October 2026.
Purchase and processMarket, location and returnsCostsMoney and paymentSecurityResidence and visaFinancing and rentalTax and inheritanceWorking with us
Buying property in Dubai: the essentials in 60 seconds
Purchase and process
Can I buy property in Dubai as a foreigner?
In short: Yes - as full ownership, without a time limit and without living in the UAE.
In the areas the Ruler of Dubai has designated for this purpose (freehold areas), foreigners may buy property outright. Alternatively, usufruct and leasehold rights of up to 99 years are possible there.
Sources: Law No. 7 of 2006, Article 4 · Government portal u.ae: Buying property in Dubai
How does buying a ready apartment work?
In short: In a few steps, using the DLD’s standard forms. At the end, you hold the title deed in your hands.
- Agency agreements: Seller and buyer each sign the standard agreement with their agent, Form A and Form B.
- Sales contract: Buyer and seller sign the contract, which in the Dubai Land Department (DLD) system is called “Form F” (also Contract F).
- No-objection certificate: For buildings managed by a developer, the developer usually issues an electronic no-objection certificate (e-NOC).
- Registration: At a DLD Registration Trustee Office, payment and transfer are exchanged step by step, and the title deed is issued on the spot.
More: Buying a ready property in Dubai - the process step by step
Sources: DLD Real Estate Brokerage Practice Guide 2024 (PDF) · DLD: Property Sale Registration
How does buying from a developer (off-plan) work?
In short: You sign directly with the developer, who must register the purchase in the Oqood register within 90 days.
Here the sales contract is called a Sale and Purchase Agreement. Oqood is the interim register for homes that are still under construction.
Sources: DLD: Request to Register the Initial Sale · Law No. 13 of 2008, Article 3
Off-plan or ready property - which makes more sense?
In short: It depends above all on your capital and your timing.
Off-plan is interesting if you want a new property and would like to spread the purchase price over a payment plan. On top of that, the developer gives a statutory warranty on the new build.
A ready property suits you especially if you already have the capital, want rental income soon or plan to move in yourself. Which option makes more sense for you, we assess case by case.
More: Buying off-plan in Dubai · Buying a ready property in Dubai
Do I have to travel to Dubai to buy?
In short: No. Buying off-plan directly from the developer works entirely remotely; for a ready property, a power of attorney is enough.
When you buy directly from the developer, it is straightforward: the sale agreement and registration can be completed fully remotely. For a ready property or an off-plan resale, ownership is transferred at the trustee office - with you on site or with an authorised representative.
Since July 2025, a power of attorney issued outside the UAE must:
- be no more than two years old
- be notarised
- be legalised by the UAE embassy and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- be translated into Arabic
- relate to the specific transaction
Depending on the procedure, the power of attorney can also be set up by video appointment; we clarify the easiest route for you in advance. The fully digital purchase via the Dubai Now app is only available to Emirates ID holders.
Sources: DLD: Property Sale Registration · BSA law firm on DLD Circular 29/R/2025 (August 2025) · DLD: Digital Sale on Dubai Now (October 2025)
Market, location and returns
What return can I expect?
In short: Depending on location, purchase price and type of letting, roughly 5 to 10% gross rental yield per year, in individual cases more.
Buyers who got in earlier at lower prices often achieve higher yields relative to what they paid. Running costs - mainly service charges and, where applicable, management - still have to be deducted from the gross yield. What counts for your decision is therefore the net yield, which we calculate with you for each property.
What is the minimum investment?
In short: As a rough guide, from around €150,000 plus buying costs.
From this amount, interesting entry-level investments start with a reasonable standard of location and quality. Right by the water, prices are higher.
With new-build projects you do not need the full purchase price available at once: the developer’s payment plan spreads it over the construction period.
More: Buying off-plan in Dubai - how payment plans work · How much does an apartment cost in Dubai?
Which locations are the best?
In short: That is individual and also depends on your budget. In general, we prefer attractive waterfront locations.
By the water, the specific location and the view offer particular advantages - for letting as well as for a later resale. Which location suits your goals best, we look at together.
Which developers are the best - and which do you work with?
In short: We are not tied to any developer and only recommend projects we are convinced of.
We have access to a very wide range of developers and are not limited to one or two. Our favourites include Ellington and Sobha, for example; new boutique developers sometimes offer interesting projects too.
What always matters, though, is the overall package of project, quality, location, price and payment plan. That is why we assess every offer individually and advise you impartially.
Is Dubai or Northern Cyprus more interesting?
In short: That depends on your personal preferences.
Dubai is an international metropolis and business hub. Northern Cyprus is quieter and often cheaper. For letting there, tourism plays a bigger role depending on the location, and local purchasing power is more limited than in Dubai.
What about Abu Dhabi?
In short: Abu Dhabi is somewhat quieter and can be particularly interesting for families. Our focus is on Dubai.
If you are seriously interested in Abu Dhabi or a specific project there, we are happy to look at it with you in detail.
Costs
Which buying costs come on top of the purchase price?
In short: Expect around 6.5% of the purchase price - for a ready apartment at AED 1.5 million, that is around AED 96,000.
| Item | Rule | At AED 1.5 million |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai Land Department registration fee | 4% of the purchase price. In practice the buyer pays the full 4%; any other split is a matter of negotiation. | AED 60,000 |
| Registration Trustee | AED 4,000 plus 5% VAT for prices from AED 500,000; below that, AED 2,000 plus VAT. | AED 4,200 |
| Title deed and fees | Title deed AED 250, site plan AED 250, plus AED 10 each in Knowledge and Innovation fees | AED 520 |
| Agent commission | Not fixed by law and negotiable; 2% plus 5% VAT is customary. | AED 31,500 |
| Total | around 6.5% of the purchase price | ≈ AED 96,000 |
With financing, the mortgage registration is added: 0.25% of the loan amount plus fees. When buying from a developer, the 4% fee also applies, registered via the Oqood register.
More: Buying costs for property in Dubai - every item with a worked example
Sources: DLD: Property Sale Registration · DLD: Request to Register the Initial Sale · DLD: Mortgage Registration · Brokers Bylaw No. 85 of 2006, Article 27 · Property Finder: DLD fees (July 2026) · The National, 25 January 2025
What running costs do I have as an owner?
In short: Service charges yes, property tax no.
As an owner you pay annual service charges for common areas and maintenance. The regulator RERA must approve them in advance, and they are allocated according to the size of your unit. You can find the approved rates for each project in the DLD Service Charge Index.
There is no annual property tax. Instead, Dubai charges a fee of 5% of the annual rental value. If you rent out the apartment, the tenant pays this fee.
Sources: Law No. 6 of 2019 on jointly owned property, Article 27 · DLD: Service Charge Index · PwC Tax Summaries: UAE, Other taxes · Government portal u.ae: Leasing a property
What does this mean for your budget?
Send us the apartment you are interested in or your price range. We will calculate the buying costs for you before you commit.
Money and payment
How do I get my money to Dubai?
In short: For example by bank transfer. Investing money from Europe in Dubai is legal in principle.
Your banks will ask where the funds come from. Depending on your country of residence, larger transfers abroad may also have to be reported: in Germany, for example, certain payments over €50,000 must be reported to the Bundesbank. Such a report is a formality, not an approval.
As soon as your property purchase becomes concrete, we are happy to help you with the payments.
When is the best time to exchange euros for dirhams?
In short: That cannot be predicted reliably. We see a rate above 4 AED per euro as an interesting guide.
The dirham is pegged to the US dollar, so it is above all worth keeping an eye on the euro to dollar rate. If you hold another currency, its rate against the dollar is what counts.
A fixed price in your home currency is practically not possible. You can, however, exchange early, for example into AED or USD on a multi-currency account, and so limit the exchange-rate risk until you pay. The downside: you usually earn no interest on that account.
Can I buy property with cryptocurrencies?
In short: Yes, some developers explicitly offer this.
Which cryptocurrencies are accepted and how the payment is processed depends on the developer and the project. We are happy to look into it for your specific purchase.
How do I get a local bank account?
In short: With a residence visa and Emirates ID it is straightforward at many banks, often digitally from home.
Without residence, some banks still offer options, but with additional requirements and restrictions. If you buy with us, we help you find the right solution free of charge.
Security
Is Dubai safe?
In short: Yes. In everyday life Dubai offers a very high level of safety and a low crime rate.
The authorities invest heavily in protecting the population. During the conflict with Iran, the UAE also showed that it remains remarkably resilient in crisis situations.
How safe is my money when buying from a developer?
In short: Your payments go into a trust account (escrow) that may only be used to build your specific project.
A developer may only sell off-plan homes if the project is registered with the DLD and an escrow account has been opened. For the registration, the developer must also prove 30% construction progress, a bank guarantee of 30% or a cash deposit of the same amount.
More: Buying off-plan in Dubai - how your money is protected
Sources: Law No. 8 of 2007 on escrow accounts, Articles 6 and 9 · DLD: Register Project · DLD: Frequently asked questions
How do I recognise a reputable agent?
In short: By the licence and the register entry. You can check both yourself, free of charge.
In Dubai, agents need a licence and an entry in the brokers’ register; without both, brokerage is prohibited. The list of all agents licensed by the regulator RERA is available on the DLD website or in the Dubai REST app. Property adverts carry a “Madmoun” QR code that lets you check whether the advert is approved.
REAL DUBAI is registered with RERA under ORN 33742. Our full eight-point checklist: How to recognise a reputable real estate agent in Dubai.
Sources: Brokers Bylaw No. 85 of 2006, Article 3 · DLD: Licensed Real Estate Brokers · DLD: Frequently asked questions · DLD: Madmoun QR code (April 2023) · REAL DUBAI imprint
Residence and visa
Do I get the Golden Visa with a property?
In short: Yes, if your properties are worth at least AED 2 million in total. The Golden Visa is valid for 10 years and can be renewed.
Off-plan purchases also count if the developer is approved in the UAE. The property may be financed if the loan comes from an approved bank in the UAE; you then need a no-objection letter from the bank. With joint ownership, your own share must be worth at least AED 2 million.
You can include your spouse, children and parents. Health insurance is mandatory for you and your family.
More: Golden Visa in Dubai with property - requirements and alternatives
Sources: DLD: Golden Visa for property investors · ICP: UAE Golden Residency · GDRFA Dubai: Golden Residence for property investors
Do I lose the Golden Visa if I mainly live abroad?
In short: No. The six-month rule does not apply to the Golden Visa.
Holders of a regular residence permit may usually not stay outside the UAE for more than six months in a row. With the Golden Visa, on the other hand, you can enter at any time as long as it is valid.
Sources: Government portal u.ae: Golden Visa · ICP: stays abroad of more than six months
Are there also visas for smaller investments?
In short: Yes: the two-year investor visa and, from age 55, the five-year retirement visa.
There is no longer a minimum amount for the investor visa: sole owners can apply regardless of the property’s value, and co-owners from a share of AED 400,000. According to the DLD, the visa fee is AED 10,212.50.
From the age of 55, the five-year retirement visa is also an option, among other routes with property worth at least AED 1 million. There are also routes via savings or a regular income; we check the exact requirements individually.
Sources: DLD: Investor Visa · UAE government portal u.ae: Residence visa for the retired
Visa, bank account and will
If you buy with us, we help you at no extra cost with your UAE visa, opening your bank account and drawing up your will. You only pay the official fees of the relevant authorities or service providers.
Financing and rental
Can I get a mortgage in Dubai as a foreigner?
In short: Yes. With residence in the UAE up to 80% is possible for a first purchase, without residence usually around 50%.
The UAE Central Bank caps the loan-to-value ratio for foreigners:
| Case | Maximum financing |
|---|---|
| First home up to AED 5 million | 80% |
| First home over AED 5 million | 70% |
| Second home or investment property | 60% |
| Off-plan purchase | 50% |
| Term | maximum 25 years |
For buyers who don’t live in the UAE, banks set their own limits: usually around 50% - Mashreq Bank, for example, finances up to 50% of the market value. A ready property is usually easier to finance; with off-plan, the final instalment at handover can be financed.
Interest rates and approval depend on the bank, your income and the property - we are happy to check the actual terms for you. You pay the buying costs from your own funds in any case.
For your planning, this means: if you don’t live in the UAE, expect to need 40 to 50% equity - plus buying costs.
Sources: UAE Central Bank: Mortgage Regulations, Article 3 · Mashreq: Home Loan for non-residents · The National, 25 January 2025
Can I rent out my apartment, including as a holiday home?
In short: Yes. Long-term with Ejari registration, as a holiday home only with a licence.
Every tenancy contract in Dubai must be registered in the Ejari system; via the Dubai REST app this costs AED 177.75. For short-term rental as a holiday home, you also need a licence from the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). The building must also allow holiday letting; some buildings prohibit it.
Sources: Tenancy Law No. 26 of 2007 as amended by Law No. 33 of 2008, Article 4 · DLD: Ejari registration · Decree No. 41 of 2013 on holiday homes, Article 3 · Law No. 20 of 2021 establishing the DET
Which pays off more: short-term or long-term letting?
In short: That depends above all on the location.
In locations popular with tourists, short-term letting can be particularly attractive: higher income is possible in peak season, while occupancy is often lower in the off-season. Long-term letting is usually easier to plan.
We are happy to look at this individually for your property and support you with both options.
How are repairs organised when I am abroad?
In short: The building’s lobby and maintenance team solve a lot on site; for larger jobs we organise tradespeople.
Many buildings have a lobby staffed around the clock and often their own maintenance team, so smaller problems can often be solved directly on site.
For larger jobs we can organise tradespeople and coordinate appointments with your tenant; tradespeople in Dubai are usually available at short notice. As the landlord, you bear the costs insofar as the repair falls within your responsibility.
Tax and inheritance
Do I pay tax in Dubai on rental income or sale profits?
In short: As a private individual, no.
The UAE does not levy income tax on individuals. The 9% corporate tax introduced in 2023 does not cover private real estate income, as long as you don’t conduct the rental under a commercial licence and aren’t required to.
Residential rents and sales are generally exempt from VAT; only the first sale of a new residential property is zero-rated. There is no inheritance or gift tax in the UAE.
Sources: Government portal u.ae: Other taxes · Government portal u.ae: Corporate Tax · Federal Tax Authority: Real Estate Investment for natural persons (PDF) · UAE Ministry of Finance: VAT · PwC Tax Summaries: UAE, Other taxes
How is my Dubai income taxed in my home country?
In short: That depends on where you are tax resident. Most countries tax their residents on their worldwide income - including rent and sale profits from Dubai.
Because no income tax is levied in Dubai, there is usually no foreign tax that you could offset at home. Whether your country has a double taxation agreement with the UAE, and how it treats rental income and property gains abroad, differs from country to country. Typical questions to clarify:
- Is your rental income from Dubai taxable at home, and which deductions apply?
- Is a profit on a later sale taxable, and does a holding period matter?
- Do you have to declare the property abroad, for example for a wealth tax or a reporting obligation?
- Does your home country levy inheritance or gift tax on property abroad?
Sources: Government portal u.ae: Other taxes · UAE Ministry of Finance: double taxation agreements
Do I need a will in Dubai?
In short: We clearly recommend it.
Since February 2023, a separate federal law has applied to non-Muslim foreigners: without a will, the spouse inherits half and the other half is shared equally among the children. However, the law refers to foreigners who live in the UAE. Whether it also applies to owners living abroad has not been conclusively settled.
You can register a will with the DIFC Courts Wills Service, even without UAE residence and entirely by video call.
More: A will in Dubai - why you need one as an owner
Sources: Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 on Civil Personal Status, Article 11 · Withers law firm on the position of non-residents (October 2024) · DIFC Courts: Wills FAQ
Working with REAL DUBAI
What is free of charge for buyers?
In short: Visa, bank account and will.
If you buy with us, we help you at no extra cost with your UAE visa, opening your bank account and drawing up your will. You only pay the official fees of the relevant authorities or service providers. What we charge as an agency is set out openly on our page Real Estate Agent in Dubai.
Do you also take care of letting after the purchase?
In short: Yes. Our work doesn’t end with the key handover.
We are happy to take care of letting your property, long-term as well as as a holiday home, and help with furnishing. The cost depends on the scope and is agreed with you in advance.
One advantage of long-term letting: the tenant usually pays the agency commission. Unlike in some European countries, there is no rule in Dubai that the landlord always has to pay the agent.
How does the strategy call work, and what does it cost?
In short: It is free and without obligation.
The call takes between 20 and 60 minutes, depending on how much you want to discuss, and takes place by phone or Zoom - in English, German, Swedish, Spanish or Norwegian. Together we look at your goal, your budget and your time frame, and at which investor type you are. At the end, you know whether a property in Dubai suits you and what a sensible next step looks like.
Just ask us
We answer honestly, even when the answer is uncomfortable. Message us on WhatsApp or use the contact form.
Updated: October 2026. The answers summarise the legal position in general terms and do not replace legal or tax advice in individual cases.
