Buying Property in Ras Al Khaimah
Freehold areas
RAK Municipality states that UAE nationals and non-Emirati customers are entitled to own property in the freehold areas, which are:1
- Al Hamra Village
- Mina Al Arab
- Al Marjan Island
- RAK Central
- Julphar Towers
- Al Maareedh (plots)
- The upcoming Beach District
Source: RAK Municipality: Real estate sale service (ZL13)1
Fees to register a sale
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Sale fee, seller | 2% of the market value |
| Sale fee, buyer | 2% of the market value |
| Site plan | AED 200 |
| Title deed | AED 200 |
| Warehouses | No sale fee |
Source: RAK Municipality: Real estate sale service (ZL13); RAK Municipality: Procedures and registration fees for the real estate sale service1,2
Dubai splits its 4% fee the same way: the Dubai Land Department lists 2% for the seller and 2% for the buyer. In either emirate, agree in the sale contract who pays it, as it affects the price you negotiate.1,6
Buying off-plan
Law No. 12 of 2023 requires developers to sell off-plan units through an escrow account and to keep 5% of the contract value in it for one year after completion, as a guarantee against defects. The Land Register itself is governed by Law No. 11 of 2021.3,5
The market
| Measure | Figure | Period |
|---|---|---|
| All real estate transactions | More than AED 15 billion | 2024 |
| Sales | 2,985 transactions worth more than AED 6 billion | 2024 |
| Residential sales (Cavendish Maxwell) | AED 12.4 billion across about 6,600 deals, 85% off-plan | 2025 |
| All real estate transactions | AED 2.89 billion | H1 2026 |
| Sales | 1,274 transactions worth AED 1.353 billion | H1 2026 |
| Mortgages | 463 transactions worth AED 1.160 billion | H1 2026 |
Source: WAM: Ras Al Khaimah real estate transactions reach AED 2.89 billion in H1 2026; WAM: Ras Al Khaimah real estate transactions exceed AED 15 billion in 2024; Cavendish Maxwell: Ras Al Khaimah Residential Market Performance 20254,7,8
The 2025 figure is a consultancy estimate of residential sales; the 2024 and 2026 figures are official totals reported by WAM, so the rows are not directly comparable.4,7,8
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the property transfer fees in Ras Al Khaimah?
2% of the market value from the seller and 2% from the buyer, plus AED 200 each for the plan and title deed. Warehouses pay no sale fee.
Sources
- RAK Municipality: Real estate sale service (ZL13)
- RAK Municipality: Procedures and registration fees for the real estate sale service
- RAK Municipality: Law No. 12 of 2023 on Regulating Real Estate Development in Ras Al Khaimah
- WAM: Ras Al Khaimah real estate transactions reach AED 2.89 billion in H1 2026
- RAK Municipality: Real Estate Regulatory Administration rules and regulations
- Dubai Land Department: Property sale registration
- WAM: Ras Al Khaimah real estate transactions exceed AED 15 billion in 2024
- Cavendish Maxwell: Ras Al Khaimah Residential Market Performance 2025
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.