01
Reservation & Form F (MOU)
Buyer and seller sign the standardised RERA sale contract (Form F / MOU) through the Dubai REST system, fixing price, terms and timeline.
Insights · Buyer’s Guide
Buying property in Dubai.Step by step.
From the reservation contract (Form F) to the title deed at the Dubai Land Department. The full route, the real costs and what you need as a non-resident. Laid out clearly, with no surprises.
4%
DLD transfer fee
~10%
Typical deposit
0%
Purchase & income tax
None
UAE residency needed to buy
Before you sign
Buying in Dubai is transparent, once you know the order.
You do not need to be a resident, or even in Dubai, to become an owner.
Foreigners, including those who do not live in the UAE, may acquire full freehold ownership without restriction in Dubai’s designated areas. The title deed is issued by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) in your name, whether you live in Amsterdam or Dubai. There is no age limit and no residency visa is required to buy.
What makes the purchase smooth is the fixed procedure behind it: a standardised sale contract (Form F / MOU), a deposit, a developer NOC on resale, and the transfer at a DLD-authorised registration trustee office. This guide walks that route with you, including the real costs, and we handle every step with RERA-registered brokers and licensed legal and mortgage partners.
The buying process
From reservation to title deed in six steps.
Every purchase in Dubai follows the same proven route. This is the order, for both ready property and off-plan (new-build).
02
Deposit (~10%)
The buyer pays a deposit, typically around 10% of the price, as security. On a resale this is usually held by the broker or trustee.
03
Developer / seller NOC
For ready property, the seller requests a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the developer confirming there are no outstanding service charges.
04
Transfer at the DLD trustee office
Both parties (or their attorneys) meet at an authorised Registration Trustee office. Here the 4% DLD fee, the trustee fee and payment by manager’s cheque are settled.
05
Title deed / Oqood
For ready property the DLD issues the title deed in your name immediately. Off-plan is registered on the Oqood system, which converts to a title deed on handover.
06
Handover
Keys and access are handed over. For off-plan this happens once the project is complete and the final instalments of the payment plan are met.
What you need & what it costs
The paperwork and the line items.
The barrier to entry is low and the costs are predictable. Here is what you bring and what you budget on top of the purchase price.
Valid passport
A valid passport is the only ID you need. A UAE residency permit or visa is not required to buy.
Proof of funds
For anti-money-laundering (AML) checks, the bank and DLD ask for source-of-funds evidence. Payment is settled by manager’s cheque.
DLD transfer fee: 4%
4% of the purchase price, paid to the Dubai Land Department when the transfer is registered.
Trustee fee: ~AED 4,000
Around AED 4,000 (+VAT) for homes from AED 500,000; AED 2,000 below that. Paid to the authorised trustee office.
Agency commission: ~2%
Typically around 2% of the purchase price (+VAT) for the brokerage. On off-plan the developer often covers the commission.
No residency required
You do not need to live in the UAE or hold a visa. In fact, ownership can itself qualify you for a residency visa.
The numbers
What buying really costs.
On top of the purchase price, budget roughly 6-7% in one-off costs. These are the fixed building blocks: indicative, but predictable in practice.
4%
DLD transfer fee
Of the purchase price, paid to the Dubai Land Department at registration.
~10%
Typical deposit
Held as security on signing the Form F / MOU.
2%
Agency commission
Standard brokerage fee, usually plus 5% VAT.
AED 4,000
Trustee fee
For homes from AED 500,000 (+VAT); AED 2,000 below that.
0%
Purchase & income tax
No annual property tax and no tax on rental income.
Amounts are indicative (2026) and serve as a guide, not a quote. Costs depend on the purchase price, ready versus off-plan, and whether you buy with or without a mortgage. We prepare a complete cost estimate for you in advance.
Frequently asked
Honest answers up front.
Can foreigners buy property in Dubai?
Yes. In the designated freehold areas, foreigners, including those who do not live in the UAE, may acquire full ownership without restriction. The title deed is issued by the Dubai Land Department and there is no age limit.
Do I need residency or to be in Dubai?
No. You do not need to be a resident, or even physically in Dubai. With a Power of Attorney the purchase can be completed entirely remotely. Ownership can, in fact, itself qualify you for a residency visa.
What are the total costs?
On top of the purchase price, budget roughly 6-7% in one-off costs: the 4% DLD transfer fee, the trustee fee (~AED 4,000 +VAT) and the agency commission (~2% +VAT). There is no purchase tax and no annual property tax.
Cash or mortgage: how much can I borrow as a non-resident?
Non-residents can obtain a mortgage, but at a lower loan-to-value: broadly up to around 60% for ready property and up to around 50% for off-plan (per the Central Bank of the UAE rules). The remainder is your own down payment. Many investors buy in cash for speed and negotiating power.
How long does it take?
A resale of ready property typically takes four to eight weeks from MOU to title deed; a cash deal can be faster. For off-plan you follow the developer’s payment plan through to handover.
Sources & transparency
What this page is based on.
The amounts, fees and conditions mentioned are indicative and are set by the UAE authorities and the market; they can change. This page is informational and does not constitute legal, tax or financial advice. De Dam guides your purchase with RERA-registered brokers and licensed legal and mortgage partners.
- Expatriates buying a property in the UAE, on the Official Platform of the UAE Government (u.ae)
- Buying property in Dubai (u.ae)
- Dubai Land Department (DLD): home & e-services
- Transfer of ownership (title deed): DLD e-service
- Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) & Dubai REST, via DLD e-services
- Regulations Regarding Mortgage Loans (LTV limits), Central Bank of the UAE
Ready to buy?
Tell us what you are looking for and how you want to finance it. We will outline, with no obligation, the route, the costs and the first suitable properties. We will walk every step with you.