Ownership guide for Dubai: how foreigners buy

What you need to know

1. Can a foreigner buy property in Dubai?

   In Dubai a non-UAE national may own property freehold, without time limit, or hold usufruct or lease rights of up to 99 years, only in the areas the Ruler has designated for foreign ownership (Law No. 7 of 2006 on Real Property Registration, Art. 4, with Regulation No. 3 of 2006 and later resolutions listing the areas).

   Where this comes from

   • Dubai Land Department: Real Estate Legislation compilation 2019 (Law No. 7 of 2006, Bylaw No. 85 of 2006, Law No. 6 of 2019), read 26 October 2026

2. Which Dubai areas are open to foreign buyers?

   Regulation No. 3 of 2006 designates 23 areas for ownership by non-UAE nationals, each limited to specific land plots, including Dubai Marina, Palm Jumairah, Emirates Hills 1–3, Jebel Ali, Al Jaddaf, Sheikh Zayed Road and The World Islands.

   Where this comes from

   • Dubai Legislation Portal, Regulation No. (3) of 2006, read 7 October 2026

3. When does a Dubai purchase legally take effect?

   A property disposition in Dubai is not effective until recorded in the Real Property Register (Law No. 7 of 2006, Art. 9, as replaced by Law No. 7 of 2019).

   Where this comes from

   • Dubai Land Department, Real Estate Legislation compilation (2019), read 7 October 2026

4. What do I need to register a Dubai purchase?

   In Dubai a non-resident foreigner can register a property purchase at a Real Estate Registration Trustee office with a valid passport, and a sale in a freehold area needs the developer's electronic no-objection certificate issued through the Dubai REST app (Dubai Land Department, Property Sale Registration service).

   Where this comes from

   • Dubai Land Department: Property Sale Registration service (fees, documents), read 26 October 2026

5. How long does registering a Dubai sale take?

   The Dubai Land Department (DLD) gives 20 minutes as the expected completion time for registering a property sale at a Real Estate Registration Trustee office, and the buyer receives an electronic title deed and map.

   Where this comes from

   • DLD service: Property sale registration, read 10 November 2026
   • Dubai Land Department, Property Sale Registration service, read 7 October 2026

6. What fee is paid to register a Dubai sale?

   In Dubai the Land Department charges a fee of 4% of the sale value to register a property sale (Executive Council Resolution No. 30 of 2013, Schedule item 1); unless buyer and seller agree otherwise it is shared equally, 2% each (Art. 3(1)), and DLD's Property Sale Registration service lists it as 2% seller and 2% buyer.

   Where this comes from

   • Executive Council Resolution No. (30) of 2013 Approving Fees of the Land Department (Dubai Legislation Portal), Art. 3 and Schedule, read 26 October 2026

7. What service fee does the registration office charge?

   A Dubai sale registered at a Real Estate Registration Trustee office also pays the service partner fee of AED 4,000 plus VAT when the sale value is AED 500,000 or more, or AED 2,000 plus VAT below AED 500,000 (Dubai Land Department, Property Sale Registration service).

   Where this comes from

   • Dubai Land Department: Property Sale Registration service (fees, documents), read 26 October 2026

8. How is an off-plan purchase recorded in Dubai?

   A Dubai developer must register an off-plan sale on the Dubai Land Department interim register (Oqood) within 90 days of signing; the purchaser receives a provisional registration certificate by email.

   Where this comes from

   • Dubai Land Department, Request to register the initial sale (Oqood), read 7 October 2026

9. Where are off-plan payments kept in Dubai?

   Each Dubai off-plan project has its own escrow account used only for that project and protected from the developer's creditors; 5% is retained for one year after units are registered to buyers (Law No. 8 of 2007, Arts. 9 and 14).

   Where this comes from

   • Dubai Land Department, Real Estate Legislation compilation (2019), read 7 October 2026

10. How can I check who owns a Dubai property?

    A Dubai Land Department detailed property statement shows the owner, the property, any mortgage, seizure or suspension, and project details; it costs AED 70 online or AED 120 at a services centre.

    Where this comes from

    • Dubai Land Department, Detailed Property Certificate service, read 7 October 2026