Buying property in Dubai as a foreigner. From anywhere.
Can foreigners buy property in Dubai? Yes — in designated freehold areas, without UAE residency. The steps, documents, costs and how to buy remotely, explained for international buyers.
The short answer
- Foreign nationals can buy freehold property in Dubai’s designated freehold areas. UAE residency is not required to buy.
- You can buy ready property (a resale or completed unit) or off-plan from a developer. The steps and paperwork differ.
- Budget for about 7–10% on top of the price once the 4% Dubai Land Department fee, registration, agency and any mortgage costs are included.
- Most of the process can be completed remotely, using a power of attorney, digital signing and international bank transfers.
- A property valued at AED 2 million or more can support a 10-year Golden Visa application. Approval is decided by the authorities.
Can foreigners buy property in Dubai?
Yes. Since 2002 Dubai has allowed foreign nationals to own property, and the rules were set out in law in 2006. Foreign buyers can own freehold property — the unit and the share of land that comes with it — in areas designated for foreign ownership. These include most of the communities international buyers ask about: Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Business Bay, Dubai Hills Estate, Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai Islands and many more.
You do not need to live in the UAE, hold a UAE visa or have a UAE bank account to buy. Many of our clients buy while living in Europe, the United States or elsewhere.
Ready or off-plan?
| Ready property | Off-plan property | |
|---|---|---|
| What you buy | A completed unit, usually from its current owner | A unit in a project still under construction, from the developer |
| How you pay | The full price at transfer (cash or mortgage) | In instalments during construction, with a balance on or after handover |
| Contract | Memorandum of understanding (RERA Form F), then transfer at a trustee office | Sale and purchase agreement (SPA), registered in the Oqood interim register |
| Ownership record | Title deed issued at transfer | Oqood registration, then title deed after handover |
| Main consideration | Condition, service charges, current rent | Developer track record, escrow, payment plan, handover date |
Read our guide to buying off-plan in Dubai for how payment plans, escrow and handover work.
The buying process, step by step
1. Set your objective and budget. Decide what the property is for — long-term rental, a holiday home, a future residence, diversification — and what you can commit, including fees. This shapes the area, property type and whether off-plan or ready fits better.
2. Shortlist and verify. Compare communities, developers and specific units. For off-plan, check the project is registered with the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and has an escrow account. For a resale, check the title deed, service charges and any outstanding payments.
3. Reserve. For off-plan, you sign a reservation form and pay a booking amount set by the developer. For a resale, buyer and seller sign Form F (the memorandum of understanding) and the buyer usually provides a security deposit — commonly 10% of the price — held until transfer.
4. Sign the main contract. Off-plan purchases are documented in the developer’s SPA and registered in Oqood, the DLD’s interim register for off-plan sales. The 4% DLD fee is normally paid at this stage.
5. Transfer or handover. For a resale, the seller obtains a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the developer, and the transfer completes at a DLD-registered trustee office, where the new title deed is issued. For off-plan, the title deed is issued after completion and final payment.
Documents you will need
- A valid passport (and Emirates ID, if you are a UAE resident).
- Proof of address and, increasingly, evidence of the source of funds — banks and developers apply anti-money-laundering checks.
- A power of attorney if someone will sign on your behalf.
- Mortgage pre-approval, if you are financing.
Buying remotely
International buyers often complete the whole purchase without travelling:
- Power of attorney. A specific POA lets a trusted representative sign and attend the transfer. A POA signed outside the UAE must normally be notarised and legalised (or attested) before it is accepted in Dubai.
- Digital signing and payments. Many developers issue SPAs for electronic signature, and payments can be made by international bank transfer to the project’s escrow account.
- DLD digital services. The Dubai Land Department offers digital services for checking and managing property records.
What it costs
Expect to pay about 7–10% above the purchase price in total. The main items are the 4% DLD transfer fee, a registration or trustee office fee of AED 2,000–4,000 plus VAT, a title deed fee, agency commission (commonly 2% plus VAT on resales) and, if you borrow, mortgage registration (0.25% of the loan) and valuation fees. Our Dubai buying costs guide breaks these down with a worked example.
Residency through property
Buying property does not by itself give you residency, but a property valued at AED 2 million or more can support an application for the 10-year UAE Golden Visa. See our Golden Visa guide. Eligibility and approval are decided by the relevant UAE authorities.
How Victory House helps
We work with international clients on the whole process: understanding objectives and existing holdings, shortlisting projects across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain, verifying the details, and coordinating the purchase remotely through to handover.
Frequently asked.
Can a non-resident buy property in Dubai?
Yes. Foreign nationals can buy freehold property in Dubai’s designated freehold areas without living in the UAE or holding a UAE visa.
Do I need to travel to Dubai to buy?
Not necessarily. Many buyers complete the purchase remotely using a power of attorney, digital signing and international bank transfers. A POA signed abroad usually has to be notarised and legalised before it is used in Dubai.
How much are the fees when buying in Dubai?
Budget for about 7–10% of the price on top. The largest item is the 4% Dubai Land Department fee; registration, agency and mortgage costs make up the rest.
Does buying property give me UAE residency?
A property valued at AED 2 million or more can support a Golden Visa application. Approval is decided by the UAE authorities and is not automatic.
Sources
- Dubai Land Department
- Property Finder — DLD fees in Dubai: complete 2026 costs guide (3 July 2026)
- Khaleej Times — Dubai off-plan buyers protected by Oqood registration and SPA safeguards
- AGBI — UAE scraps minimum payment for property golden visa
Reviewed on 2 November 2026. This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Fees, rules and approvals are set by the relevant authorities, banks and developers and can change. Returns are not guaranteed.
