UAE property, answered.
Straight answers to the questions buyers actually ask about UAE property. For the detail behind any of these, read the full buyer guides, browse off-plan by area, or run the AI Advisor.
Buying basics
Can foreigners buy property in Dubai?
Yes. Foreign nationals of any country can buy freehold property outright in Dubai's designated freehold areas, own it in their own name and register it with the Dubai Land Department. No residency is required to purchase.
Can foreigners buy property across the wider UAE?
Yes, in designated freehold zones. Dubai has the widest freehold coverage, but Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and the other emirates all have freehold areas open to foreign buyers.
Do I need to be in the UAE to buy?
No. You can buy remotely by granting a power of attorney or signing digitally, and many developers and brokers handle off-plan purchases entirely online for overseas buyers.
What is the minimum deposit to buy property in Dubai?
For off-plan, developer plans typically start with a 5 to 20 percent booking deposit. For a mortgage on a ready home, non-residents usually need 20 to 40 percent down, plus transaction costs.
How long does the buying process take?
An off-plan booking can complete in days. A ready property transfer through the DLD usually takes two to six weeks depending on whether a mortgage and a no-objection certificate are involved.
Off-plan
What is off-plan property?
Off-plan property is bought directly from the developer before or during construction, usually on a staged payment plan and at a lower entry price than a completed unit. Payments are held in a regulated escrow account.
How do off-plan payment plans work?
You pay a deposit, then instalments tied to construction milestones, and a final amount on or after handover. Common structures are 80/20, 60/40, 50/50 and post-handover plans that run for two to five years.
Is off-plan safe in Dubai?
Off-plan is regulated: developer funds sit in a project escrow account and are released against verified construction progress, and every project must be registered with RERA. Delivery risk still exists, so the developer's track record matters.
Can I sell an off-plan property before handover?
Usually yes, once you have paid a developer-set minimum (often 30 to 40 percent). This is called an assignment or resale, and the developer may charge a transfer fee.
What is Oqood?
Oqood is the DLD's interim registration for off-plan units. It records your purchase before the building is complete and is later converted to a title deed at handover.
Costs and fees
What fees do I pay when buying in Dubai?
Budget for the DLD transfer fee of 4 percent of the price, a registration or Oqood fee, a trustee office fee, and a broker commission of about 2 percent on a resale. Off-plan direct from a developer often has no broker fee.
Is there property tax in Dubai?
There is no annual property tax and no capital gains tax on property in Dubai for individuals. The main one-off cost is the 4 percent DLD transfer fee at purchase.
What are service charges?
Service charges are annual fees for maintaining shared areas, paid per square foot and set by the building. They vary widely by community and directly affect your net rental yield.
How much are ongoing costs to hold a property?
The recurring costs are service charges, any cooling or utility connection fees, and management if you let the unit. There is no council or property tax to budget for.
Visas and ownership
Does buying property get me a UAE Golden Visa?
Yes. A property purchase of at least 2,000,000 AED can qualify you for a 10-year renewable Golden Visa, and as of 2026 qualifying off-plan purchases from approved developers count. Confirm the current rules with our desk before you rely on them.
Do I get residency automatically when I buy?
Not automatically. Property ownership can support a residence visa (a 2-year investor visa at lower thresholds or the 10-year Golden Visa at 2,000,000 AED), but you apply separately through the DLD and immigration.
What is freehold versus leasehold?
Freehold means you own the property and the land outright, forever. Leasehold means you hold a long lease, commonly up to 99 years. Most foreign buying in Dubai is freehold in designated areas.
Can I get a mortgage as a non-resident?
Yes. Several UAE banks lend to non-residents, typically up to 50 to 60 percent of value, at higher rates and with more documentation than residents face.
Yield and investment
What rental yield can I expect in Dubai?
Gross yields commonly run 5 to 9 percent depending on the community. Value areas such as Jumeirah Village Circle and International City sit at the higher end, while prime areas like Downtown and Palm Jumeirah trade income for capital growth.
Is Dubai property a good investment in 2026?
It offers zero property and capital-gains tax, relatively high yields, and residency options, against construction and market-cycle risk. Compare price per sqft, developer track record and yield per area, all of which our catalogue surfaces.
Which areas have the highest rental yield?
Typically the value communities: Jumeirah Village Circle, International City, Arjan, Dubai Sports City and similar mid-market areas. Browse yields per community on our off-plan area pages.
What is the difference between gross and net yield?
Gross yield is annual rent divided by price. Net yield subtracts service charges, management and vacancy, and is usually one to two percentage points lower than gross.
Can I earn from short-term or holiday letting?
Yes, with a DTCM holiday-home permit in Dubai. Short lets can lift income in tourist areas but carry higher management cost and vacancy, so compare net returns against a standard annual lease.
Areas and developers
Which are the biggest developers in Dubai?
The largest include Emaar, DAMAC, Nakheel, Sobha, Meraas and Aldar in Abu Dhabi, alongside active mid-market names such as Binghatti, Azizi and Danube. Track records and delivery reliability vary, so compare before you commit.
Where should I buy in Dubai?
It depends on your goal. For yield, look at value communities. For capital growth and prestige, look at Downtown, Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah. For family living, Dubai Hills and Arabian Ranches. Our area guides break down each.
What is the best time to buy off-plan?
Early in a launch, when developers offer the best prices and most flexible payment plans, and before construction progress lifts the price. The trade-off is a longer wait and more delivery risk.
Still have a question?
Ask the desk, or let the advisor build you a shortlist against your budget and goal.