Buying property in Dubai
Freehold areas, the real cost of a purchase and where published yields are highest. Yields are gross and as published (September 2026): they do not include service charges, vacancy or fees.
The rules and the costs
- Transfer fee
- 4% of the price to the Dubai Land Department, plus a registrar fee of AED 2,100 (under AED 500k) or AED 4,200, and AED 250 for the title deed. A mortgage adds 0.25% of the loan for its registration. source
- Agency fee
- Usually 2% of the price plus 5% VAT: market practice, not a legal rate. source
- Mortgages
- The Central Bank caps the loan for a non-resident or expatriate first home at 80% up to AED 5M (70% above), 60% for a second home, and 50% for off-plan. source
- Golden Visa
- Property worth at least AED 2M can support a 10-year renewable residence visa (mortgaged property allowed with the bank’s letter). One government summary says 5 years: check with GDRFA before relying on it. source
- Off-plan payments
- Instalments go into the project’s escrow account, regulated by RERA under Dubai Law No. 8 of 2007; never pay an individual. source
- Freehold areas
- Foreigners can own outright only in designated freehold areas. Each district page says whether it is one (older districts such as Deira or Karama are not). source
Districts by published gross yield
Yields and prices are never promised: these figures describe the recent market, not the future.
Ask an expert
Buy with a licensed agent
Ready homes, resales or off-plan: tell us the district and your budget, a RERA-licensed agent sends options and recent sale prices.
Thank you, it’s on its way.
A local expert will reply within one working day, usually much sooner.
District desk
One request, the right local expertRenting, buying, selling, short stays, tours or a move: we route it to someone who knows the district.
- Hours
- Sun–Fri, 9:00–19:00 (UAE)
- Languages
- English, French, Arabic, Russian
Yes, in designated freehold areas, with full ownership registered at the Dubai Land Department. Districts in this guide that are not freehold include Deira, Al Karama, Al Nahda & Al Qusais, Al Khawaneej, Al Warqa.
Budget about 4% for the Dubai Land Department transfer fee, the registrar and title deed fees, usually 2% + VAT for the agent, and mortgage registration if you borrow. Details and sources above.
Among published figures in this guide (September 2026), the highest gross yields were in Discovery Gardens, Al Nahda & Al Qusais, Dubai Sports City, Arjan. Gross yield ignores service charges, vacancy and fees; net returns are lower.