Real estate
Buying property in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Foreigners can buy freehold property in designated areas without living in the UAE. Budget for a registration fee of 4% in Dubai or 2% in Abu Dhabi, and, with a mortgage, a deposit of at least 20% on a first home under AED 5 million.
- Maximum loan, expatriate first home under AED 5m
- 80%4
- Maximum loan, expatriate first home under AED 5m
Who can buy
| Emirate | What foreigners may hold |
|---|---|
| Dubai | Freehold without time limit, or a lease of up to 99 years, in the freehold areas |
| Abu Dhabi | All property rights inside the investment areas |
| Sharjah | Outright ownership without time limit in approved development projects |
Source: UAE Government Portal: Expatriates buying a property in the UAE; Sharjah Official Gazette: Executive Council Decision No. 30 of 2022 on real estate ownership by non-UAE and non-GCC nationals1,7
Transfer fees
| Dubai | Abu Dhabi | |
|---|---|---|
| Registration of the sale | 4%, split equally unless agreed otherwise | 2% of the contract value |
| Office or e-services fee | AED 4,000 plus VAT (AED 2,000 below AED 500,000) | AED 875 |
| Mortgage registration | 0.25% of the loan | — |
Source: Dubai Land Department: Know your rights for real estate investors; DARI: Registration of sale and purchase of land and real estate2,3
Mortgage limits
| Property | Expatriates |
|---|---|
| First home, up to AED 5m | 80% |
| First home, above AED 5m | 70% |
| Second home or investment | 60% |
| Off-plan | 50% |
Source: Central Bank of the UAE Rulebook: Regulations regarding mortgage loans4
Monthly debt repayments may not exceed 50% of income.4
Off-plan protection
- In Dubai, buyers’ payments go into a project escrow account that the developer’s creditors cannot touch.
- Pay only into the escrow account, never to a personal or general company account.
- The developer registers the sale with the Land Department within 60 days.
Source: Dubai Legislation: Law No. 8 of 2007 Concerning Escrow Accounts for Real Estate Development; Dubai Land Department: Know your rights for real estate investors5,2
Sources
- UAE Government Portal: Expatriates buying a property in the UAE
- Dubai Land Department: Know your rights for real estate investors
- DARI: Registration of sale and purchase of land and real estate
- Central Bank of the UAE Rulebook: Regulations regarding mortgage loans
- Dubai Legislation: Law No. 8 of 2007 Concerning Escrow Accounts for Real Estate Development
- ICP: UAE Golden Residency
- Sharjah Official Gazette: Executive Council Decision No. 30 of 2022 on real estate ownership by non-UAE and non-GCC nationals
Figures checked 21 October 2026. Prepared by Invest-Emirates.ae for general information. It is not investment, tax or legal advice; please confirm details with a qualified adviser before acting.