SHEET A‑01 The Buyer's Field Manual · Freehold Edition
How to buy property in Dubai as a foreigner
Dubai grants full ownership to any nationality inside its freehold zones. This is the complete drawing set — seven plates from first search to title deed, with every fee, plan and registration measured out.
Before you begin
Can foreigners buy property in Dubai?
Yes. Dubai allows any nationality to purchase property in freehold zones — areas designated by the Government of Dubai where full ownership (not leasehold) is granted to non-UAE nationals. As of 2026, there are over 60 designated freehold areas across Dubai, including Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, Business Bay, Dubai Hills Estate, Creek Harbour, JVC and Dubai South.
There is no requirement to be a UAE resident, have a visa, or live in the country. International buyers from India, Russia, the UK, Europe and the wider MENA region buy Dubai property remotely every day. The drawing set below walks the entire transaction in order.
01 SEARCH
Choose the Right Area and Property Type
Dubai's market splits into off-plan (under construction, bought from the developer) and ready / secondary (completed, bought from an owner or developer). For most foreign investors in 2026, off-plan offers better entry pricing and developer payment plans.
Key investment areas by intent
Highest yield Dubai South (8.2%), JVC (8.0%), Arjan
Golden Visa eligible (AED 2M+) Dubai Marina, Downtown, Creek Harbour, Palm Jumeirah
Branded residences / luxury Palm Jumeirah, Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina
Villas / family living Dubai Hills Estate, Arabian Ranches, Damac Hills
NOTE
Not sure which way to go? Compare the two routes head-to-head in Off-Plan vs Ready Property, or scan current yields in our rental-yield-by-area guide.
02 DUE DILIGENCE
Verify RERA Registration (Off-Plan)
For off-plan purchases, the developer must be registered with RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority) and the specific project must have a valid RERA permit number. Verify at the Dubai Land Department portal.
Always check, in order
- Developer's RERA registration statusActive / Suspended
- Project RERA permit numberper project
- Name of escrow bank holding buyer fundsapproved UAE bank
- Advertised completion date on RERA vs developer SPAmust match
CAUTION
Never transfer funds before confirming the escrow account. For the full protections you are entitled to, read RERA off-plan buyer protection.
03 CONTRACT
Sign the Sales Purchase Agreement (SPA)
The SPA (Sales & Purchase Agreement) is the legally binding contract between buyer and developer (for off-plan) or seller (for ready property). Key SPA contents to review:
SpecificationsFloor, unit number, total area in sqft, inclusions
Price & scheduleTotal price and payment schedule
HandoverCompletion date and penalty clauses for delay
Service chargeService charge estimate
Exit termsCancellation and refund terms
You do not need a lawyer to sign an SPA in Dubai — but above AED 2M, or with complex payment terms, engaging a RERA-registered lawyer is the cheap insurance.
04 PAYMENT
Pay the Down Payment and Register with DLD
After signing the SPA, you pay the initial down payment (typically 10–20% for off-plan). You must also pay the DLD Registration Fee of 4% of the property price plus a fixed admin fee of AED 4,200. For off-plan, the 4% is usually paid at time of SPA signing.
DLD Transfer Fee (4%)AED 66,000
DLD Admin FeeAED 4,200
Total DLD CostsAED 70,200
TOOL
Model the full bill before you commit with our ROI calculator and DLD fees breakdown.
05 ESCROW
Progress Payments (Off-Plan)
For off-plan properties, you pay in instalments tied to construction milestones or calendar dates, per the payment plan in the SPA. Common plans:
ESCROW
All buyer payments go directly to the escrow account held at an approved UAE bank, not to the developer's operating account. Funds can only be released to the developer when DLD certifies construction completion at each milestone.
Want a longer runway after the keys turn? See post-handover payment plans.
06 HANDOVER
Handover and Title Deed
At handover, you complete a snagging inspection with the developer, pay any outstanding balance, and receive your keys. The developer transfers the title deed (ownership certificate) to your name at the Dubai Land Department.
For off-plan, this happens approximately 2–5 years after SPA signing — the moment the project graduates from a drawing into an asset registered in your name.
07 SET-UP
Register for Services
After receiving your title deed, you need to:
- DEWA — register with Dubai Electricity and Water Authority for utilities
- Owners Association — register with the building's OA for service charge billing
- Address — obtain a Dubai address for official correspondence
- Ejari — if renting, register tenancy contracts via Ejari
Bill of quantities
Total cost of buying — the full schedule
Budget an additional 4–6% of the property price for transaction costs. Off-plan purchases save the 2% agent commission, as developers pay the agent directly.
Cost Amount Who pays
DLD Transfer Fee 4% of property price Buyer
DLD Admin Fee AED 4,200 Buyer
Agent Commission 2% (secondary market) Buyer
Mortgage Registration 0.25% of loan amount Buyer
Valuation Fee AED 2,000–3,500 Buyer
NOC Fee (transfer) AED 500–5,000 Buyer/Seller
Legal Fees (optional) AED 3,000–8,000 Buyer
A property that pays you back
Does Dubai property qualify for a residence visa?
Yes. Ownership unlocks residency, and Dubai applies no capital gains tax, no income tax on rental returns, and no annual property tax.
General notes
Key takeaways
- 01Any nationality can buy freehold property in Dubai — no residency required.
- 02Budget an additional 4–6% of property price for DLD fees and transaction costs.
- 03Always verify RERA status and escrow bank before paying off-plan deposits.
- 04Dubai has no capital gains tax, no income tax on rental returns, and no wealth tax.
- 05Property above AED 2M in a freehold zone qualifies for the UAE Golden Visa.
Frequently asked questions
Can foreigners buy property in Dubai?
Yes. Dubai allows any nationality to purchase property in freehold zones with no requirement to be a UAE resident, have a visa, or live in the country. As of 2026, there are over 60 designated freehold areas including Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, Business Bay, JVC, and Dubai South.
What is a SPA in Dubai real estate?
A SPA (Sales and Purchase Agreement) is the legally binding contract between buyer and developer (for off-plan) or between buyer and seller (for ready property). It covers the property specifications, total price, payment schedule, handover date with penalty clauses, service charge estimate, and cancellation terms. For transactions above AED 2M, engaging a RERA-registered lawyer is advisable.
How much is the DLD registration fee in Dubai?
The DLD Registration Fee is 4% of the property price, plus a fixed admin fee of AED 4,200. For off-plan, the 4% is typically paid at SPA signing. For a AED 1,650,000 property, the total DLD cost is AED 70,200.
What are the common off-plan payment plans in Dubai?
Common off-plan payment plans include 80/20 (pay 80% during construction, 20% at handover — standard for Emaar), 60/40 (Sobha and Nakheel), and 1% monthly (10% down payment, then 1% per month over 90 months — offered by Danube). All buyer payments must go into a RERA-regulated escrow account, not directly to the developer.
What is the total cost of buying property in Dubai?
Budget an additional 4-6% of the property price for total transaction costs: 4% DLD transfer fee, AED 4,200 admin fee, 2% agent commission (secondary market only), AED 580 title deed fee, and optional legal fees of AED 3,000-8,000. Off-plan purchases save the 2% agent commission as developers pay the agent directly.
Does Dubai property qualify for a residence visa?
Yes. Property valued at AED 750,000+ qualifies for a 2-year UAE residence visa. Property valued at AED 2,000,000+ in a freehold zone qualifies for a 10-year Golden Visa. Dubai has no capital gains tax, no income tax on rental returns, and no annual property tax.
SHEET A-09 · COMMISSIONING
Ready to buy? We run the whole set with you.
Our team helps international buyers from first search to title deed — RERA checks, SPA review, DLD registration and handover. No fee to you on off-plan; the developer pays the commission.
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A Dubai Estattor Field Manual · Updated April 2026 · Figures current as at Q1 2026 and subject to change.