Guide Buying from abroad
How to buy property in Dubai as a foreigner
Dubai is one of the simplest places in the world for a foreigner to buy a home: no residency needed, outright ownership in freehold areas and a transfer that usually completes in a day. Here is how it works.
Updated · 6 min read
At a glance
| Who can buy | Any nationality, resident or not. You don't need a UAE visa to own property in Dubai. |
|---|---|
| Where | In Dubai's freehold areas you own the property and the land outright. Elsewhere, foreign buyers are limited to long leases. |
| Costs on top | Budget roughly 7–8% of the price for a resale: the 4% DLD transfer fee, trustee and agency fees, plus mortgage fees if you borrow. |
| Finance | Banks lend to non-residents, usually for a smaller share of the price than they lend to residents, so expect a larger deposit. |
| Residency | Property worth AED 2M or more can qualify for the 10-year Golden Visa; smaller purchases can qualify for shorter visas. |
Not sure which areas are open to you? See freehold areas in Dubai.
Six steps to your title deed
A ready resale, start to finish.
- 01
Set the budget and area
Decide on ready or off-plan and pick a freehold community. Add the purchase costs to the price before you shortlist.
- 02
Arrange the money
Get mortgage pre-approval if you're borrowing, and move funds to a UAE bank: payments on the day are made by manager's cheque.
- 03
Use a licensed agent
Work with a RERA-registered broker. Every listing should carry a DLD Trakheesi permit you can check.
- 04
Offer and Form F
Once a price is agreed, buyer and seller sign Form F, the sale contract, and the buyer lodges a deposit, usually 10%.
- 05
Checks and NOC
The developer issues a no-objection certificate once service charges are paid, and any seller's mortgage is settled at transfer.
- 06
Transfer
At a DLD trustee office the fees are paid, the seller is paid and the title deed is issued in your name, usually the same day.
Buying off-plan instead? You sign a sale and purchase agreement with the developer, the sale is registered on Oqood and payments go into the project's escrow account. See off-plan or ready.
What you'll need
- Passport (and Emirates ID if you're a UAE resident)
- Proof of address and source of funds, for the bank's checks
- Mortgage offer and valuation, if you're borrowing
- Power of attorney, if someone signs for you
- Company documents, if you're buying through a company
Every cost, line by line, is in the real cost of buying; the monthly numbers are in the mortgage calculator; and residency is covered in the Golden Visa through property.
General guidance as of October 2026, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Lending rules, fees and visa criteria change, so confirm them for your purchase before you commit.