How to buy property in Dubai.
A twelve-step playbook for first-time and experienced buyers, written by a Dubai brokerage that has done it for thirty years. Updated for 2026 rules and fees.
The short answer
Foreigners can buy freehold property anywhere in Dubai's designated freehold zones with no residency requirement. The process takes four to ten weeks for resale, two to four weeks to reserve off-plan, and adds 6.5% to 8% in transactional fees on top of the price. JRE coordinates every step. The 12 steps below are how it actually unfolds.
Who can buy what
Dubai operates a clear two-tier ownership system. Designated freehold zones (the bulk of the prime market: Marina, Downtown, Palm Jumeirah, Emirates Hills, Dubai Hills, MBR City, Business Bay, JLT, Jumeirah Bay, Bluewaters, La Mer, the new ultra-prime island launches) are open to all nationalities on a freehold basis. Non-freehold zones are reserved for UAE and GCC nationals. Almost all primary-market launches you will see on JRE are freehold.
You do not need to be a UAE resident to buy, and you do not need a local sponsor. Companies (UAE or foreign) can also hold title in their own name in most freehold zones, subject to DLD review.
Off-plan vs ready
The two paths look very different in practice.
- Off-plan: bought directly from the developer, paid in stages over construction. You lock in today's price for delivery in 18 to 60 months. Lower entry point, payment plan flexibility, and no resale broker fees, but with construction risk and the cost of carry.
- Ready (resale or just-completed primary): bought today, in your name today, rentable from day one. Higher cash requirement, but no construction risk and immediate yield.
Most JRE clients do both. Off-plan suits buyers staging capital over time or seeking the newest building stock; ready suits buyers deploying capital now for income.
1. Choose an advisor
Dubai has thousands of registered brokers and many more agents. The quality range is enormous. Pick a RERA-registered brokerage with a track record at your price point, written engagement terms, and a named advisor who personally handles your file. Avoid running the same enquiry across five brokers; it shuts you out of off-market and launch-allocation inventory.
2. Define the brief
A precise brief is the single biggest accelerator. Lock in: emirate and area, unit type and bedrooms, budget (with mortgage or all-cash stated), intended use, lifestyle priorities (school catchment, beach proximity, view), and your time horizon. Tell your advisor what you do not want; rejection criteria narrow the field faster than positives.
3. Shortlist and view
We aim for a shortlist of three to seven properties. Visit in person where possible; on a remote purchase, expect a full video walkthrough plus a JRE inspection report. For off-plan, the most useful test is to visit the developer's existing completed buildings and judge finish quality directly.
4. Make an offer
Primary-market launches are sold at the developer's official list price; you reserve at list with a stated payment plan. Resale offers are negotiable. JRE prepares the offer with comparable transactions (Property Finder Insights, DLD records) so the number sits inside a defensible range.
5. Reservation or MOU
Off-plan reservation is the developer's standard form, signed along with the deposit. Resale uses Form F, the standard DLD memorandum of understanding signed by buyer, seller and brokers. Both set price, deposit, target transfer date, what fixtures stay, and any conditions. Read the form before signing; once signed, the deposit is at risk.
6. AML and KYC
UAE law requires JRE to verify identity and source of funds before completing any transaction. Expect to provide a passport, proof of residential address, evidence of source of wealth (employment, business ownership, sale of asset), and the funding chain showing where the purchase money is coming from. JRE handles the file; clients who prepare these documents up front compress the timeline materially.
7. Pay the deposit
Off-plan deposits go directly to the developer per the reservation form. Resale deposits are typically 10% of the price, paid by manager's cheque to the seller (or held in escrow at the trustee office).
8. Mortgage (if financing)
For UAE residents, banks lend up to 80% loan-to-value on the first property and 65% on the second; non-residents are typically capped at 50% to 60%. Pre-approval takes one to two weeks and is valid for 60 to 90 days; full approval after offer takes a further two to three weeks while the bank's panel valuer surveys the property.
9. Developer NOC (resale)
The developer issues a No Objection Certificate confirming service charges, district-cooling and any community fees are paid in full and that the developer has no objection to the transfer. The transfer cannot proceed without it; allow 5 to 15 working days from request.
10. DLD transfer
Buyer, seller and brokers meet at a DLD-approved trustee office. The buyer pays the price (manager's cheque), the 4% DLD transfer fee, and the trustee fee. The title deed is issued in the buyer's name the same day, usually within two hours.
11. Handover and snagging
On a ready property, you receive keys at transfer. On an off-plan handover, JRE attends the developer's handover walkthrough, documents every defect (a typical apartment generates 30 to 80 items), and tracks rectification with the developer until each item is closed. We do not advise moving in until snagging is complete and signed off.
12. Title deed and beyond
With the title deed issued, set up DEWA, telecoms and district cooling. Decide whether to occupy, long-let, or run short-let. If the property value exceeds AED 2 million, file the Golden Visa application; with mortgage in place, secure the bank's no-objection letter for the visa.
All-in fees
| Line item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DLD transfer fee | 4% of price | Buyer pays |
| DLD admin / title deed | AED 580 + AED 580 | Apartment / office |
| Trustee office | AED 4,200 + 5% VAT | Properties above AED 500K |
| Agent commission | 2% + 5% VAT | Free on primary; payable on resale |
| Mortgage registration | 0.25% of loan + AED 290 | If financed |
| Bank valuation | AED 2,500 to 3,500 | If financed |
| Developer NOC | AED 500 to 5,000 | Resale only; usually paid by seller |
| Conveyancer (optional) | AED 6,000 to 12,000 | Recommended above AED 10M |
Mistakes to avoid
- Running the same enquiry through multiple brokers. It loses you priority access on launch allocations and creates commission disputes.
- Treating the headline price as the cost. Plan a 6.5% to 8% premium for cash buyers, more with finance.
- Skipping the snagging step on a new handover. The cost of fixing defects after move-in is materially higher than getting the developer to fix them before.
- Ignoring service charges on resale. Building service charges range from AED 8 / sqft (basic) to AED 35 / sqft (ultra prime). Ask for two years of paid invoices before signing.
- Buying off-plan without visiting the developer's previous projects. Renderings are art; finish quality is evidence.
FAQ
Can a foreigner buy property in Dubai?
Yes. Non-UAE nationals can buy freehold property in designated freehold zones across Dubai (and parts of Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates) with full ownership rights. There is no residency requirement to buy.
Do I need to be in Dubai to complete the purchase?
No. Many JRE clients complete remotely using a power of attorney issued through a UAE embassy, and our team attends the trustee office on the buyer's behalf. We can also coordinate full remote viewings on video.
How long does the purchase take?
Off-plan reservation to signed sale and purchase agreement is typically two to four weeks. Resale, from offer to title deed, is typically four to ten weeks; the longest single step is the developer NOC and any pending mortgage process.
What is freehold in Dubai?
Freehold means full ownership of the unit and a perpetual share of the land beneath it, registered in your name on the DLD title deed. It is the strongest form of ownership available to foreign buyers.
Are there annual property taxes?
Dubai does not levy an annual property tax on residential real estate. Owners pay annual service charges to the building's owners' association and DEWA bills based on consumption. There is a 5% housing fee on rental contracts (paid by tenants).
What is the buyer's premium beyond the price?
Plan on 6.5% to 8% of the headline price for a cash buyer, and a touch higher with a mortgage. The largest single line item is the 4% DLD transfer fee.
Can I pay in installments?
On off-plan, almost every project offers a developer payment plan, typically 5% to 20% on booking with the balance staged over construction and post-handover. Some plans extend three to seven years post-handover.
Will my purchase qualify me for a Golden Visa?
Property valued at AED 2 million or more on the DLD title deed qualifies the principal owner for a 10-year Golden Visa, with no upfront-equity requirement since February 2026. See the JRE Golden Visa cost guide for the full breakdown.
Important: rules and government fees relating to property purchases, financing and visas in the UAE can change without notice. The figures above reflect rules and pricing as of 6 May 2026 and are provided for general information only, not as legal, tax, immigration or investment advice. For the binding and current position please consult the relevant UAE federal authority, a licensed advisor or speak with JRE.
Buying a property in Dubai?
JRE handles the brief, the shortlist, the negotiation, AML, transfer, snagging and post-handover, end to end. One advisor, one relationship, no handoffs.