01
Off-plan or ready?
Off-plan offers a lower entry and a payment schedule but you wait for handover. Ready generates rental income immediately but requires the full amount upfront. A 3-5 year horizon typically mixes both.
Insights · Investor Guide
Investing in Dubai.The decisions that matter.
Written for European investors who treat Dubai as a portfolio decision, not a headline. The structural choices laid out plainly: off-plan or ready, financing, community, structure, management and exit.
8-12%
Net rental yield (target)
0%
Capital gains tax
4%
One-off DLD registration
AED 2M
Golden Visa threshold
Who is this guide for?
For serious investors, no retail narrative.
Dubai rewards structure, not enthusiasm.
This guide is written for Dutch and European investors evaluating Dubai as part of their property portfolio. We cover the structural decisions, not the surface-level "Dubai is the new gold" marketing.
Use this as a starting point. We discuss your specific situation (tax, personal, time horizon) one-on-one.
What you decide early shapes your return.
Six choices separate a considered investment from an impulsive one. Here they are, with the trade-offs that matter.
02
Cash or financing?
Dutch banks do not finance Dubai property. Local banks typically lend non-residents up to ~60% on completed property (off-plan often ~50%). Leverage raises return on equity but adds FX and rate risk.
03
Which community?
Yield, occupancy and liquidity vary sharply by community. Downtown and Marina are liquid but average. Emerging markets like Umm Al Quwain have lower entry capital and higher projected yields.
04
Personal name or entity?
Most investors buy in their personal name (simple; Golden Visa eligible from AED 2M). An offshore entity can make sense for multiple units or estate planning, always with professional tax advice.
05
Self-manage or outsource?
Tenant sourcing, maintenance and payments from abroad are a full-time job. A management partner charges 5-10% of rental income and removes the operational load.
06
When to exit?
On off-plan, secondary sale is usually possible from 30-40% paid (developer-dependent). The market is liquid for in-demand units. Plan your exit at purchase: what yield and valuation are your triggers?
Cost breakdown
What does a purchase cost?
The main cost lines on a Dubai purchase. Indicative. Exact costs depend on the project and your situation.
Indicative figures. Exact costs per project and situation on request. By market convention the 4% DLD fee is paid in full by the buyer.
DLD registration4% of purchase price
Trustee / notary~AED 4,000
Broker commission2% (if applicable)
Service chargesAED 10-30 / sqft / year
Management (optional)5-10% of rental income
From first conversation to handover.
A purchase follows a set rhythm. Here is what a transaction usually looks like, from selection to the first tenant.
Day 0-14
Selection & due diligence
Shortlist, DLD permit check, developer track record and the payment schedule.
Day 14-21
Reservation
10% down-payment and reservation form. NOC (no objection certificate) in motion.
Day 21-45
SPA & transaction
Sale & Purchase Agreement signed. DLD registration. Title transferred.
Handover
Handover & leasing
Snagging, Ejari, management partner engaged and the first tenant placed.
Sources & transparency
What this page is based on.
The rates and thresholds mentioned are indicative and partly market convention; official fees (such as the 4% DLD) and visa thresholds are set by the authorities and can change. This page is informational and does not constitute legal or tax advice. De Dam confirms the specific figures per project with licensed partners.
Next steps
Discuss your situation with an advisor.
A 30-minute conversation. We walk through your goals, timeline and risk appetite, and show which projects fit.