Buying property in Dubai as a foreigner: rules and costs

Facts checked on October 18, 2026

Can foreigners buy property in Dubai?

Under Law No. 7 of 2006, property ownership in Dubai is reserved in principle for UAE and GCC nationals. Non-UAE nationals are the exception, in areas designated by the Ruler.

In those areas you can hold freehold ownership with no time limit, or a usufruct or leasehold of up to 99 years. Areas have been added to the list since 2006, so confirm that each specific property is freehold.

You do not need a residence visa. Non-residents register the sale with a passport, residents with an Emirates ID.

How the purchase works, step by step

For a ready property the steps follow a fixed order. Off-plan purchases from a developer have extra rules, covered in a separate guide.

Check the broker: a licensed broker holds a RERA card and appears in the Dubai Land Department register.
Agree the terms in the standard sale contract (Form F). Extra clauses are allowed if they do not conflict with it.
Inspect the property and have it checked for mortgages, liens or other charges.
The seller obtains a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the developer, which also confirms that service charges are paid.
The transfer takes place at a Registration Trustee office, where the fees are paid.
The Dubai Land Department then issues the title deed in your name.

What it costs to buy property in Dubai

The main cost is the registration fee of 4% of the price. By law the buyer and seller each pay 2% unless they agree otherwise. In practice the buyer usually pays the full amount.

Title deed: AED 250.
Property map: AED 100 to AED 225, plus AED 250 for a villa or apartment.
Knowledge and innovation fees: AED 10 each.
Registration Trustee: AED 4,000 plus VAT, or AED 2,000 plus VAT below a price of AED 500,000.
With a mortgage: 0.25% of the loan amount to register it.
Agree the broker's commission in writing before you start.

Running costs after you buy

We have found no annual property tax for owners in Dubai. You do pay service charges for the management and upkeep of the building or community.

Service charges must be approved by RERA, and you can look them up per project in the Dubai Land Department's Service Charge Index. Ask for these figures before you make an offer.

If you rent the property out, the tenant pays a 5% municipality housing fee through the utility bill.

Pitfalls to avoid

Most problems come from haste and missing information rather than from the law. In my conversations I always start with why you want to buy, and only then with the property.

Every listing should carry a Trakheesi permit and a scannable QR code showing that RERA approved the ad.
Cold calling by brokers has been banned since February 2026, with a fine of AED 50,000 and a three-month suspension.
For off-plan, never pay outside the project's escrow account.
Do not forget the purchase costs: 4% plus fixed fees comes on top of the price.
Do not decide on promised returns. Ask what any forecast is based on.

Tax back home

If you are a Dutch tax resident, a property in Dubai is a box 3 asset at its market value. A loan for it is a box 3 debt, and the interest is not deductible as a main home.

Belgian and French residents have their own rules, covered in our guide to Dubai property and tax. Have your own situation checked by a tax adviser.

Frequently asked questions

Can foreigners buy property in Dubai?

Yes. Foreign nationals can buy freehold property, or take a leasehold of up to 99 years, in the areas designated for foreign ownership.

What are the costs of buying property in Dubai?

The Dubai Land Department charges 4% of the price, which the buyer usually pays in full. Fixed fees come on top, such as AED 250 for the title deed and AED 4,000 plus VAT for the Registration Trustee.