Buying Property in Dubai as a Foreigner
Freehold Rules, the Process, the Paperwork and the Real Costs
Foreign nationals of any country can own property outright in Dubai’s designated freehold zones, with no requirement to live in the UAE. Here is exactly how eligibility works, what the purchase process looks like step by step, which documents you need, what it costs, and how financing works if you are not a resident.
Can Foreigners Buy Property in Dubai?
The distinction that matters most is freehold versus leasehold. In a freehold area you own the property and, in the case of a villa, the land it sits on, in perpetuity. The title deed is issued in your name by the Dubai Land Department and can be sold, mortgaged, leased or inherited. Leasehold, by contrast, grants the right to occupy and use a property for a fixed term, after which the interest reverts to the freeholder. Nearly all the communities international buyers are interested in are freehold.
The freehold zones cover the vast majority of Dubai’s well-known communities — among them دبي مارينا, نخلة جميرا, وسط مدينة دبي, خليج الأعمال, دبي هيلز استيت, قرية جميرا الدائرية و إعمار الجنوب. If a property is being marketed to international buyers it is almost certainly in a freehold zone, but it is always worth confirming the designation before you commit.
There is no visa or residency prerequisite to buy. You do not need to live in the UAE, hold an Emirates ID, or even visit Dubai — the purchase can be completed remotely under a Power of Attorney. Ownership can, however, lead to residency: property investment at or above AED 2 million qualifies a buyer for the ten-year تأشيرة الإمارات الذهبية, and the property may be ready or off-plan.
Nor is there a minimum purchase price for foreign ownership itself. The practical floor is set by the market rather than by regulation, and entry-level freehold stock in mid-market communities starts well below the Golden Visa threshold. Our Dubai property price breakdown by area sets out where each community currently sits.
Foreign Buyer Facts at a Glance
The rules in one place
What It Costs to Buy Property in Dubai as a Foreigner
Every fee a foreign buyer encounters, who pays it and when. Budget approximately 6–7% on top of the purchase price for a ready property bought with cash.
| عنصر التكلفة | المبلغ | من يدفع | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| رسوم انتقال DLD | 4% من السعر | Buyer | At transfer |
| DLD admin fee | AED 580 | Buyer | At transfer |
| Registration trustee fee | AED 4,200 (properties above AED 500K) | Buyer | At transfer |
| Title deed issuance | ٢٥٠ درهم إماراتي | Buyer | At transfer |
| Agency commission — ready property | 2% من السعر | Buyer | At transfer |
| Agency commission — off-plan | 0% to the buyer | Paid by the developer | غير قابل للتطبيق |
| Developer NOC fee (resale only) | ٥٠٠–٥٠٠٠ درهم إماراتي | بائع | Before transfer |
| Mortgage registration (if financing) | 0.25% من القرض + 290 درهمًا إماراتيًا | Buyer | At transfer |
| Bank valuation (if financing) | 2,500–3,500 درهم إماراتي | Buyer | Pre-approval |
| Power of attorney (if buying remotely) | AED 500–2,000 | Buyer | Before transfer |
| Annual property tax | 0% | — | None in the UAE |
| ضريبة أرباح رأس المال | 0% | — | None in the UAE |
Figures as published in TruHauz’s buyer guidance, 2026. Fees are set by the Dubai Land Department and by market convention; confirm current amounts at the point of transaction.
The Purchase Process for a Foreign Buyer
From first brief to title deed. Every step below can be completed from outside the UAE with a Power of Attorney in place.
Buying from outside the UAE?
TruHauz handles the full process for overseas buyers — shortlisting, viewings by video, the MOU, the NOC and the DLD transfer under Power of Attorney.
Can a Non-Resident Get a Mortgage in Dubai?
Yes — UAE banks lend to non-residents, but on tighter terms than to residents. Mortgages are available only on completed properties in freehold zones.
Maximum LTV
Non-resident buyers can typically borrow up to 60% of the property value, against up to 80% for UAE residents. That means a deposit of at least 40% of the purchase price, plus the transaction costs, in cash.
Maximum Term
Non-resident mortgage terms run shorter than the resident equivalent, generally up to 15 years. A shorter term raises the monthly payment, so model affordability on the term you will actually be offered.
Rate Premium
Non-resident products usually price slightly above resident products. A RERA-approved valuation is required, and the application can be completed by Power of Attorney without travelling to Dubai.
الأسئلة المتداولة
The questions international buyers ask most often before buying in Dubai.
Buy in Dubai With Someone Who Does This Every Day
TruHauz is a Dubai Land Department registered brokerage. We advise international buyers through the full process — freehold checks, the MOU, the NOC, financing and the DLD transfer. Tell us what you are looking for.
