Can foreigners buy property in Dubai, and how?
Yes: foreign nationals can own property outright in Dubai, but only on plots designated for non-UAE ownership, commonly called freehold areas, and they can also hold usufruct or leasehold for up to 99 years there. You do not need to live in the UAE; the DLD accepts a passport from a non-resident buyer. Check the exact unit in the DLD Property Status Enquiry before paying anything, and budget for the DLD transfer fee and fixed fees on top of the price.
Steps
Check the unit is in a designated area
Who: You, with your agent
Documents:
- Title deed, land, Makani or municipality number
Under Law No. 7 of 2006, ownership is reserved for UAE and GCC nationals, companies fully owned by them and public joint stock companies, except in areas the Ruler designates for non-UAE nationals. Regulation No. 3 of 2006 first named 23 areas, plot by plot, and later instruments added more. A community name does not prove a unit is freehold, so search the unit in the DLD Property Status Enquiry: a freehold result means purchase is allowed for all nationalities.
Decide who buys: you or a company
Who: You
Documents:
- Passport, or the company documents the DLD lists
Individuals who are not UAE residents register with a passport; companies can also buy, and the DLD lists extra registration steps and documents for them.
Choose ready or off-plan
Who: You
Documents:
- Your timing and funding plan
Off-plan payments must go into a project escrow account under Law No. 8 of 2007; our off-plan comparison explains the trade-offs.
Budget the costs
Who: You
Documents:
- Form F, showing who pays which fee
The DLD transfer fee is 4% of the price in total, listed by the DLD as 2% from the buyer and 2% from the seller; check who pays in your contract. The DLD also lists the title deed, map, knowledge and innovation fees and the trustee office fee shown below.
Arrange finance and residence, if you need them
Who: You, with a bank and the DLD
Documents:
- Bank pre-approval
- Visa documents
UAE banks lend to expatriates within Central Bank limits, and lending to non-residents depends on each bank. Property can also support a residence permit, as the table below shows.
Complete the purchase
Who: You, the seller and the trustee office
Documents:
- Passport
- Developer e-NOC
- Payment instruments
Follow our step-by-step guide for the transfer, or our guide for buying from abroad if you will not be in Dubai.
Costs and fees
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| DLD transfer fee, total (listed as buyer and seller shares below) | 4% |
| DLD transfer fee, buyer share as listed by the DLD | 2% |
| DLD transfer fee, seller share as listed by the DLD | 2% |
| Title deed issuance | AED 250 |
| Map fee, villas and apartments | AED 250 |
| Knowledge fee | AED 10 |
| Innovation fee | AED 10 |
| Trustee office fee at or above the threshold below, plus VAT | AED 4,000 |
| Trustee office fee below the threshold, plus VAT | AED 2,000 |
| Trustee office fee threshold (sale value) | AED 500,000 |
Source: dlp.dubai.gov.ae, dubailand.gov.ae. Data as of .
Who can own where
| Buyer | Where they can own |
|---|---|
| UAE and GCC nationals, companies fully owned by them, and public joint stock companies | Anywhere in Dubai |
| Other nationalities, and companies they own | Only on designated plots: freehold, or usufruct or leasehold up to 99 years |
Source: Law No. 7 of 2006 and Regulation No. 3 of 2006, Dubai Legislation Portal. Data as of .
Residence linked to property
| Route | Property condition | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Taskeen investor residence (DLD) | Sole owner: any value; co-owner's share at least AED 400,000; title deed required | 2 years |
| Golden Visa, real estate investor | Property worth at least AED 2,000,000, including qualifying off-plan property; a mortgaged property needs a bank letter showing AED 2,000,000 paid (DLD) | 10 years, per the ICP |
Sources: DLD Taskeen investor visa service; ICP Golden Residency page; DLD Golden Visa investor service. Data as of .
Ownership terms
| Stage | Time |
|---|---|
| Freehold | No time limit |
| Usufruct or leasehold, maximum term | 99 years |
Figures as of ; sources: dlp.dubai.gov.ae.
Documents checklist
- Passport
- Property Status Enquiry result for the unit
- Company documents, if buying through a company
- Form F or sale and purchase agreement
- Developer e-NOC (resale)
Common mistakes
- Treating a community name as proof of freehold.
- Assuming residence is needed to buy.
- Forgetting that freehold status is set plot by plot.
Frequently asked questions
Can foreigners own property in Dubai?
Yes, in areas designated for non-UAE nationals, where they may hold freehold with no time limit or usufruct or leasehold for up to 99 years, under Law No. 7 of 2006.
Do I need a UAE residence visa to buy property in Dubai?
No. The DLD accepts a passport from a non-resident buyer for a sale registration.
Which areas of Dubai are freehold?
Regulation No. 3 of 2006 first named 23 areas by plot, and later instruments added more. Freehold status is set for each plot, so check the exact unit in the DLD Property Status Enquiry; our freehold areas guide explains the list.
Does buying property in Dubai give me residency?
It can. The DLD's Taskeen residence runs for 2 years and a sole owner qualifies whatever the value, while the Golden Visa needs property worth at least AED 2,000,000. Conditions and fees change, so check them when you apply.