How to buy property in Dubai: prices, steps and real costs in 2026
The practical guide to buying an apartment or villa in Dubai as a foreign buyer: what you can buy and where, at what price, how off-plan and resale transactions work, what they really cost, how to finance them and what to do after handover.
- 100% freehold ownership in designated areas
- 4% Dubai Land Department fee
- ≈ 4.5% total off-plan costs with Cevitas
- 2–6 wks for a cash resale transfer
- 50–60% loan-to-value for non-residents
- 0 annual property tax
What foreigners can buy in Dubai
Since 2002 any foreigner, resident or not, can buy freehold property in Dubai's designated areas. They cover almost every sought-after district: Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Hills Estate, Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai Creek Harbour and many more.
The title deed is issued by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) in the buyer's name. You can sell, rent out, pass on or mortgage the property without a local partner, buying alone, jointly or through certain DLD-approved companies.
Good to know. You do not need UAE residency to buy. A valid passport is enough to reserve, sign and register.
Apartment prices in 2026, area by area
Indicative ranges from recent launches and resales; view, floor, developer and completion stage all move the price.
| Area | Studio | 1 bed | 2 beds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jumeirah Village Circle | AED 550k–750k | AED 800k–1.1M | AED 1.2–1.6M |
| Dubai South | AED 500k–700k | AED 750k–1M | AED 1.1–1.5M |
| Business Bay | AED 850k–1.2M | AED 1.3–1.9M | AED 2–3M |
| Dubai Creek Harbour | — | AED 1.3–1.8M | AED 2–2.8M |
| Dubai Marina | AED 900k–1.3M | AED 1.4–2.2M | AED 2.3–3.5M |
| Dubai Hills Estate | — | AED 1.4–2M | AED 2.2–3.2M |
| Downtown Dubai | AED 1.1–1.5M | AED 1.8–2.8M | AED 3–5M |
| Palm Jumeirah | AED 1.3–1.8M | AED 2.5–4M | AED 4–7M |
The dirham is pegged to the US dollar at 3.6725. Each district is covered in our Dubai area guides. For a financed purchase, see the monthly payment on an AED 1 million mortgage or an AED 2 million loan.
Off-plan or resale: two different routes
| Off-plan | Resale (ready) | |
|---|---|---|
| Seller | The developer | A private owner |
| Payment | Staged during construction | Cash or mortgage, in one go |
| Contract | Developer SPA, registered on Oqood | RERA standard contract (Form F) |
| Timeline | Handover in 2–4 years | Transfer in 2–6 weeks |
| Buyer costs | ≈ 4.5% | ≈ 6–7.5% |
| Rent | After handover | Immediate |
Browse current off-plan projects or ready properties.
Buying off-plan, step by step
- Brief. All-in budget, goal (rental, residence, Golden Visa) and a payment schedule you can hold.
- Shortlist. Three to five projects compared on developer, location, price per sq ft, service charges, payment plan and handover date.
- Reservation. Booking form, passport copy and deposit (often 10–20%) paid to the project account.
- SPA. The developer issues the sale and purchase agreement, signed online. Check area, handover date, penalties and resale conditions.
- Oqood. The contract is registered on the DLD off-plan register; the 4% DLD fee is paid at this point.
- Instalments. Further payments go to the project escrow account, following the payment plan.
- Handover. Snagging inspection, final payment, keys and title deed.
Buying a resale property, step by step
- Offer. Benchmark against recent DLD-registered transactions in the building.
- Form F. The RERA standard contract, signed by buyer, seller and agents, with a 10% security deposit, usually by cheque.
- Developer NOC. The seller obtains a no-objection certificate confirming service charges are paid.
- Mortgage, if any. Bank valuation and final offer; any seller loan is settled at transfer.
- Transfer. Appointment at a DLD trustee office, payment by manager's cheques, new title deed issued the same day.
Can't travel? A notarised and legalised power of attorney lets a representative sign for you.
Documents you will need
- Passport valid for at least six months.
- Visa and Emirates ID if you live in the UAE (optional for non-residents).
- Proof of address and contact details.
- Source of funds: bank statements or supporting documents for anti-money-laundering checks.
- For a mortgage: payslips or accounts, six months of statements, tax returns.
- For a company purchase: articles, trade licence and board resolution.
What buying really costs: an AED 1.5M example
| Item | Off-plan | Cash resale |
|---|---|---|
| Price | AED 1,500,000 | AED 1,500,000 |
| DLD fee (4%) | AED 60,000 | AED 60,000 |
| Oqood or trustee office fees | ≈ AED 1,500–5,000 | ≈ AED 4,000–5,000 |
| Title deed issuance | — | ≈ AED 600 |
| Buyer agency commission | 0 with Cevitas | 2% + VAT = AED 31,500 |
| Total costs | ≈ AED 62,000–65,000 (≈ 4.3%) | ≈ AED 96,000–102,000 (≈ 6.6%) |
With a mortgage, add mortgage registration (0.25% of the loan), valuation (AED 2,500–3,500) and bank arrangement fees (up to 1%).
Financing your purchase
Developer payment plans
Most developers spread the price over construction interest-free: 60/40, 50/50 or 1% a month, sometimes with post-handover instalments. It is the most common route for non-resident investors.
Bank mortgages
UAE banks lend to non-residents, typically 50–60% of value, mostly on ready property, over 15 to 25 years. Resident expatriates can borrow up to 80% on a first home under AED 5M. Rates follow EIBOR, which tracks US rates.
Common mistakes foreign buyers make
- Buying the brochure. A 3D render says nothing about the developer, build quality or future supply in the area.
- Ignoring service charges. From about AED 12 to over AED 30 per sq ft a year, they hit net yield directly.
- Paying outside escrow. Off-plan payments must go to the project escrow account, never to a personal account.
- Underestimating the handover payment. A 40% instalment at handover needs months of preparation.
- Forgetting your home country. Rental income and foreign accounts may need declaring; check before buying.
Our rule. Before any reservation we check the project's RERA registration, the escrow account and the developer's delivery record.
After the purchase: renting, charges and management
- Long-term rental: tenancy registered on Ejari, rent paid in one to four cheques a year, increases capped by the RERA rental index.
- Short-term rental: holiday home permit from the Department of Economy and Tourism, higher income, more management.
- Service charges: billed annually per sq ft by the owners' association.
- Property management: 5–8% of rent long-term, 15–25% short-term.
Calculators to test your numbers
Before you commit, test the deal with your own figures. These free calculators on OffPlanSimulator, our partner site, use only the values you enter and the official rules:
Frequently asked questions
Can foreigners buy property in Dubai?
Yes. Any foreigner, resident or not, can buy freehold in designated areas covering almost every sought-after district, with the title deed registered in their own name at the Dubai Land Department.
How much does an apartment cost in Dubai in 2026?
Studios start around AED 550,000 in Jumeirah Village Circle or Dubai South. A one-bed costs about AED 1.3–2M in Business Bay or Dubai Marina, and a two-bed AED 3–5M in Downtown Dubai.
What are the costs of buying property in Dubai?
About 4.5% off-plan (4% DLD fee plus admin, with no buyer commission at Cevitas) and 6–7.5% on resale including a 2% agency commission plus VAT.
Can I buy property in Dubai remotely?
Yes. Off-plan purchases are completed online. For resales, a notarised and legalised power of attorney lets a representative sign the transfer.
Can non-residents get a mortgage in Dubai?
Yes, several UAE banks lend to non-residents, typically 50–60% of value, mainly on ready property. Off-plan, developer payment plans are often simpler.
How long does a purchase take?
A cash resale closes in two to four weeks, five to eight with a mortgage. Off-plan, the SPA is signed within one to two weeks and handover follows the project schedule.
Does buying property give me a UAE visa?
Property worth AED 2M or more qualifies for the 10-year Golden Visa. Lower amounts can qualify for a two-year property investor visa under conditions.
Ready to buy property in Dubai?
Tell us your budget and goal: a Cevitas advisor sends you a shortlist with official prices, floor plans and a full cost breakdown.