Dubai buying costs. Every fee, in one place.
What it costs to buy property in Dubai in 2026: the 4% DLD fee, trustee and title deed fees, agency commission, mortgage registration and valuation, developer NOC — with a worked AED 2 million example.
The short answer
- The largest cost is the Dubai Land Department transfer fee: 4% of the price, usually paid by the buyer.
- All-in, buyers typically pay about 7–10% on top of the price, depending on agency commission and whether there is a mortgage.
- Off-plan purchases from a developer usually have no agency commission for the buyer, but the 4% DLD fee still applies.
- Upfront fees are paid in cash; they cannot be added to a mortgage.
The main fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai Land Department (DLD) transfer fee | 4% of the purchase price | All purchases, ready and off-plan |
| Trustee office / registration fee | AED 2,000 (price under AED 500,000) or AED 4,000 (AED 500,000 and above), plus 5% VAT | Ready-property transfers |
| Title deed fee | About AED 580 | Ready-property transfers |
| Small DLD service charges (knowledge and innovation fees) | About AED 10 each | Most transactions |
| Agency commission | Commonly 2% of the price, plus 5% VAT | Resales through a broker |
| Developer no-objection certificate (NOC) | AED 500 to AED 5,000, plus VAT | Resales (paid by the seller in most cases) |
| Mortgage registration | 0.25% of the loan amount, plus about AED 290 | If you borrow |
| Property valuation | About AED 2,500 to 3,500 | If you borrow |
| Bank arrangement fee | Up to about 1% of the loan, depending on the bank | If you borrow |
Figures as published in July 2026. Fees are set by the authorities, banks and developers and can change — confirm current amounts before you transfer funds.
Who pays the 4%?
The law splits the DLD fee between buyer and seller, but in practice the buyer usually pays all of it. For off-plan purchases, the 4% is normally paid to the DLD when the sale is registered in Oqood, at or shortly after booking.
A worked example: AED 2,000,000 ready apartment
| Item | Cash buyer | With a mortgage (75% loan) |
|---|---|---|
| DLD transfer fee (4%) | AED 80,000 | AED 80,000 |
| Trustee office fee + VAT | AED 4,200 | AED 4,200 |
| Title deed and small DLD charges | about AED 600 | about AED 600 |
| Agency commission (2% + VAT) | AED 42,000 | AED 42,000 |
| Mortgage registration (0.25% of AED 1.5M + AED 290) | — | AED 4,040 |
| Valuation | — | about AED 3,000 |
| Approximate total on top of the price | about AED 126,800 (6.3%) | about AED 133,840 (6.7%) |
Bank arrangement fees, conveyancing and furnishing are extra. An off-plan purchase direct from a developer would usually avoid the agency line, bringing the total closer to 4–5%.
Ongoing costs to plan for
- Service charges. Paid annually to the owners’ association for maintenance of common areas, charged per square foot and published for each building.
- Utilities and cooling. Some buildings charge district cooling separately.
- Holiday home permits. If you rent short-term, the property must be registered as a holiday home with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.
- Insurance and management. Building insurance is usually covered by the service charge; contents insurance and property management are separate.
There is no annual property tax on residential property in Dubai.
How Victory House helps
We set out the full cost of each option before you commit — fees, payment schedule and ongoing charges — so you can compare projects on the same basis.
Frequently asked.
How much is the DLD fee in Dubai?
The Dubai Land Department transfer fee is 4% of the purchase price. It applies to both ready and off-plan purchases and is usually paid by the buyer.
What are total buying costs in Dubai?
Typically about 7–10% on top of the price once registration, agency and mortgage costs are included. Buying off-plan direct from a developer usually costs less because there is no agency commission for the buyer.
Can I add the fees to my mortgage?
No. Upfront transaction costs are paid in cash and cannot be financed by the bank.
Is there an annual property tax in Dubai?
There is no annual property tax on residential property in Dubai. Owners pay annual service charges to maintain the building and common areas.
Sources
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.