Dubai property: 30 questions Moroccans and international buyers ask, answered
These are the questions Moroccans in Morocco and abroad, and international buyers, ask most often before buying in Dubai, with short answers based on official sources (Dubai Land Department, RERA, u.ae, Office des Changes). Each answer links to the detailed guide, and Cevitas Real Estate answers your specific case in Darija, French, Arabic or English.
- 4% Dubai Land Department transfer fee
- AED 2M Golden Visa threshold through property
- 0% personal income tax in the UAE
- 3.6725 AED per US dollar, fixed peg
Buying from Morocco and abroad
The rules for buying in Dubai are the same for every foreign buyer. What changes is how the money travels, depending on where you live. The full journey is in investing in Dubai real estate and how to buy property in Dubai.
Can Moroccans buy property in Dubai?
Yes. Foreigners, including Moroccan nationals living in Morocco or abroad, can buy freehold property in Dubai's designated freehold areas under Law No. 7 of 2006 on Real Property Registration. The title deed is registered at the Dubai Land Department (DLD) in the buyer's name. UAE residence is not required to buy.
How do I buy property in Dubai from Morocco, and what about the Office des Changes?
Residents of Morocco who want to invest abroad are subject to Morocco's exchange-control rules. Before any reservation, check the rules of the Office des Changes (oc.gov.ma) and the process with your bank. Once the payment route is cleared, payments go only to the project's escrow account or the seller's official account, never to a personal account.
I am a Moroccan living abroad: how do I buy in Dubai from the UK, Canada or Europe?
The Dubai purchase process is identical whether you live in the UK, Canada, France, Belgium, Spain or the Gulf. Funds usually leave from an account in your country of residence by international transfer, and your bank will ask for proof of the source of funds. Your country of residence taxes foreign property and rent under its own rules, so have a local tax adviser confirm your situation.
Do I need to travel to Dubai to buy a property?
No. The purchase can be done entirely remotely: video tours of the show apartment, the site and the neighbourhood, electronic signature or signing through a power of attorney, payments by transfer to official accounts, and registration at the Dubai Land Department. Many buyers only visit at handover, or not at all when the letting is handled by a property manager.
Can I buy with my spouse or family members?
Yes. Several names can appear on a Dubai Land Department title deed, for example a couple, siblings, or parents and their children. The split of shares is agreed before signing, and each buyer can sign from their own country. If the Golden Visa is a goal, check the official conditions that apply to jointly owned property before you buy.
Buying off-plan
Off-plan is the most common way into the Dubai market, and it is framed by law and supervised by RERA. More in turnkey property investment in Dubai.
What does buying off-plan in Dubai mean?
It means buying a home before it is completed and paying in instalments according to the developer's payment plan, often until handover and sometimes beyond. The sale is recorded in the Dubai Land Department's interim register, Oqood. After completion and the final payment, the buyer receives the final title deed.
Is my money protected when I buy off-plan?
Yes. Law No. 8 of 2007 requires buyers' payments to go into the project's escrow account. The funds are released to the developer according to construction progress, under RERA supervision. Always check that the account number in your contract is the project's escrow account, and follow progress on the official Dubai REST app.
How do I check a developer and a project before paying?
Check that the project is registered with RERA and the Dubai Land Department, that it has an escrow account and that its progress appears on the official Dubai REST app. Look at the buildings the developer has already delivered and read the sale and purchase agreement (SPA): payment schedule, completion date, penalties and resale conditions.
How does handover of an off-plan property work?
The developer sends a completion notice and calls the final payment. Before accepting the keys, a snagging inspection lists any defects, which the developer must fix. The title deed is issued after the final payment and registration. Utilities are then connected, and the property is ready to rent out or move into.
Can a non-resident get a mortgage in Dubai?
In some cases, yes. UAE mortgage rules, including loan-to-value limits, are set by the UAE Central Bank, and each bank decides based on the borrower's profile. Islamic financing structures such as murabaha and ijara are available. For off-plan purchases, the developer's instalment plan often replaces a mortgage, and financing from your country of residence is another option.
Fees and tax
Purchase fees in Dubai are set by the authorities and known from the start. Tax also depends on your country of residence. See also Dubai property prices.
What are the fees for buying property in Dubai?
The Dubai Land Department charges a transfer fee of 4% of the price, plus administrative and registration fees. On an off-plan purchase, the agency commission is paid by the developer, so the buyer pays the developer's price. On a resale, the agency commission is usually 2% of the price. All fees are confirmed in writing before any commitment.
Is there tax on rental income in Dubai?
The UAE levies no personal income tax, according to the official portal u.ae, so rent earned in Dubai by an individual is not taxed locally. However, your country of tax residence may tax that income under its own rules and the tax treaties between states. A tax adviser in your country should confirm your situation.
Do I have to declare my Dubai property in my country of residence?
That depends on the tax rules of your country of residence, whether it is Morocco, the UK, Canada, France or elsewhere. Rent and any capital gain may be taxable there, under local law and tax treaties. Keep every document, including the contract, payment receipts and Ejari leases, and have a local tax adviser confirm what to declare.
What are service charges in Dubai?
Service charges are the annual fees that pay for maintenance, security and shared facilities in a building. They are approved by RERA and published in the RERA Service Charge Index, and owners' associations are managed through the Mollak system. Check a building's service charges before you buy, because they affect your net return.
Is the UAE dirham stable against the dollar and the euro?
The UAE dirham (AED) is pegged to the US dollar at 3.6725 AED per USD by the UAE Central Bank, so it is stable against the dollar. Against the euro, the pound, the Canadian dollar or the Moroccan dirham, its value follows those currencies' moves against the dollar, which is worth factoring into your payment schedule.
Golden Visa and residence
The Golden Visa is one of the reasons Moroccan and international buyers mention most. Conditions and steps are in Dubai Golden Visa through property.
How much do I need to invest for the UAE Golden Visa through property?
The UAE Golden Visa is a 10-year residence visa for property investors whose property is worth at least AED 2 million, according to the official conditions published on u.ae. These conditions can change, so check them at the time of purchase. Moroccan nationals qualify on the same terms as every other nationality.
Does the Golden Visa cover my family?
The Golden Visa can allow holders to sponsor family members, according to the official rules published by the UAE authorities. Which relatives qualify and which documents are required are set by those rules. Before you buy, we check the conditions that apply to your family situation.
Does an off-plan or mortgaged property qualify for the Golden Visa?
The conditions for off-plan property, mortgaged property and jointly owned property are set by the UAE authorities and can change. They concern, among other things, the property value and the amounts already paid. If the Golden Visa is your goal, the property's eligibility is checked against the official conditions before reservation.
Does buying property in Dubai automatically give residence?
No. Owning property and holding residence are two separate processes. Owning a property in Dubai does not automatically give a visa: you need to meet the official conditions of a residence category, such as the Golden Visa for property worth at least AED 2 million. The conditions for each visa category are published on the official portal u.ae.
Renting and reselling
Renting out and selling from abroad follow straightforward official procedures. See Dubai property management and the best areas to invest in Dubai.
How do I rent out my Dubai property from abroad?
You appoint a licensed property manager who finds the tenant, registers the lease through Ejari, the Dubai Land Department's official system, collects the rent and handles maintenance. You follow everything remotely: lease, inspection report and payments. A lease registered in Ejari protects both the owner and the tenant.
Can I do short-term holiday rentals in Dubai?
Yes, provided you obtain a holiday home permit from Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), which frames the activity and the standards of the home. Short-term letting needs more day-to-day follow-up than a long-term lease: cleaning, guest check-in, maintenance and calendar management. The right choice depends on the building and your goal.
How do I sell my Dubai property while living abroad?
The property is valued against sales registered at the Dubai Land Department, then listed by a RERA-licensed agent. The seller obtains a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the developer, and the transfer is signed at a DLD trustee office. Any mortgage must be cleared or transferred, and a power of attorney lets you sell without travelling.
Can I send my rent or sale proceeds back to Morocco?
Funds are paid into your bank account, then sent by international transfer. On the Moroccan side, check the Office des Changes rules and the process with your bank. Moroccans living abroad can hold funds in convertible dirhams. Keep every document, including the deed of sale, leases and statements, for your bank and your tax return.
Which Dubai area rents most easily?
The right area depends on the tenant you target. Central and waterfront areas such as Downtown Dubai, Business Bay and Dubai Marina attract young professionals and holiday renters, while residential communities such as Dubai Hills Estate and Jumeirah Village Circle appeal to families. Official rents registered through Ejari let you compare before you buy.
Working with Cevitas
Cevitas Real Estate guides Moroccans in Morocco and abroad, and international buyers, from the first question to the first rent. See investing in Dubai real estate and turnkey property investment in Dubai.
Which Moroccan real estate agency is there in Dubai?
Cevitas Real Estate is a RERA-licensed real estate agency in Dubai founded by Ahmed Benjas, a Moroccan based in Dubai. It guides Moroccans in Morocco and abroad, as well as international buyers, in Darija, French, Arabic and English, from project selection to handover and letting. Its office is at NGI House, Port Saeed, Deira, Dubai.
Is there a Darija-speaking property broker in Dubai?
Yes. At Cevitas Real Estate, a RERA-licensed agency in Dubai, Ahmed Benjas and his team work in Darija, French, Arabic and English. You can ask every question in your own language, from the first WhatsApp conversation to signing, handover and letting your property.
Who is Ahmed Benjas?
Ahmed Benjas was born in Morocco and lives in Dubai. After more than 20 years in finance, he founded Cevitas Real Estate LLC, a RERA-licensed real estate agency in Dubai, where he is CEO. With his team he has placed more than AED 200 million for private investors. He advises buyers in Darija, French, Arabic and English.
How much does a real estate agent cost in Dubai?
On an off-plan purchase, Cevitas' commission is paid by the developer: the buyer pays the developer's price with no extra agency fee. On a resale, the agency commission is usually 2% of the price. In every case, the fees and all purchase costs are confirmed in writing before any commitment.
How do I check a real estate agent in Dubai?
Every real estate agent in Dubai must hold a personal RERA card (BRN) and work for an agency registered with the Dubai Land Department (ORN). Both numbers can be checked in minutes on the official Dubai REST app. Ask for them before any payment, and never send money to a personal account.
How do I start a project with Cevitas?
Message +971 55 772 2710 on WhatsApp or request a call back on the website. A first conversation, in Darija, French, Arabic or English, frames your budget, goal, timeline and the payment route from your country. You then receive a selection of projects with the developers' official documents.
Frequently asked questions
Can Moroccans buy property in Dubai?
Yes. Foreigners, including Moroccan nationals living in Morocco or abroad, can buy freehold property in Dubai's designated freehold areas under Law No. 7 of 2006 on Real Property Registration. The title deed is registered at the Dubai Land Department (DLD) in the buyer's name. UAE residence is not required to buy.
How do I buy property in Dubai from Morocco, and what about the Office des Changes?
Residents of Morocco who want to invest abroad are subject to Morocco's exchange-control rules. Before any reservation, check the rules of the Office des Changes (oc.gov.ma) and the process with your bank. Once the payment route is cleared, payments go only to the project's escrow account or the seller's official account, never to a personal account.
I am a Moroccan living abroad: how do I buy in Dubai from the UK, Canada or Europe?
The Dubai purchase process is identical whether you live in the UK, Canada, France, Belgium, Spain or the Gulf. Funds usually leave from an account in your country of residence by international transfer, and your bank will ask for proof of the source of funds. Your country of residence taxes foreign property and rent under its own rules, so have a local tax adviser confirm your situation.
Do I need to travel to Dubai to buy a property?
No. The purchase can be done entirely remotely: video tours of the show apartment, the site and the neighbourhood, electronic signature or signing through a power of attorney, payments by transfer to official accounts, and registration at the Dubai Land Department. Many buyers only visit at handover, or not at all when the letting is handled by a property manager.
Can I buy with my spouse or family members?
Yes. Several names can appear on a Dubai Land Department title deed, for example a couple, siblings, or parents and their children. The split of shares is agreed before signing, and each buyer can sign from their own country. If the Golden Visa is a goal, check the official conditions that apply to jointly owned property before you buy.
What does buying off-plan in Dubai mean?
It means buying a home before it is completed and paying in instalments according to the developer's payment plan, often until handover and sometimes beyond. The sale is recorded in the Dubai Land Department's interim register, Oqood. After completion and the final payment, the buyer receives the final title deed.
Is my money protected when I buy off-plan?
Yes. Law No. 8 of 2007 requires buyers' payments to go into the project's escrow account. The funds are released to the developer according to construction progress, under RERA supervision. Always check that the account number in your contract is the project's escrow account, and follow progress on the official Dubai REST app.
How do I check a developer and a project before paying?
Check that the project is registered with RERA and the Dubai Land Department, that it has an escrow account and that its progress appears on the official Dubai REST app. Look at the buildings the developer has already delivered and read the sale and purchase agreement (SPA): payment schedule, completion date, penalties and resale conditions.
How does handover of an off-plan property work?
The developer sends a completion notice and calls the final payment. Before accepting the keys, a snagging inspection lists any defects, which the developer must fix. The title deed is issued after the final payment and registration. Utilities are then connected, and the property is ready to rent out or move into.
Can a non-resident get a mortgage in Dubai?
In some cases, yes. UAE mortgage rules, including loan-to-value limits, are set by the UAE Central Bank, and each bank decides based on the borrower's profile. Islamic financing structures such as murabaha and ijara are available. For off-plan purchases, the developer's instalment plan often replaces a mortgage, and financing from your country of residence is another option.
What are the fees for buying property in Dubai?
The Dubai Land Department charges a transfer fee of 4% of the price, plus administrative and registration fees. On an off-plan purchase, the agency commission is paid by the developer, so the buyer pays the developer's price. On a resale, the agency commission is usually 2% of the price. All fees are confirmed in writing before any commitment.
Is there tax on rental income in Dubai?
The UAE levies no personal income tax, according to the official portal u.ae, so rent earned in Dubai by an individual is not taxed locally. However, your country of tax residence may tax that income under its own rules and the tax treaties between states. A tax adviser in your country should confirm your situation.
Do I have to declare my Dubai property in my country of residence?
That depends on the tax rules of your country of residence, whether it is Morocco, the UK, Canada, France or elsewhere. Rent and any capital gain may be taxable there, under local law and tax treaties. Keep every document, including the contract, payment receipts and Ejari leases, and have a local tax adviser confirm what to declare.
What are service charges in Dubai?
Service charges are the annual fees that pay for maintenance, security and shared facilities in a building. They are approved by RERA and published in the RERA Service Charge Index, and owners' associations are managed through the Mollak system. Check a building's service charges before you buy, because they affect your net return.
Is the UAE dirham stable against the dollar and the euro?
The UAE dirham (AED) is pegged to the US dollar at 3.6725 AED per USD by the UAE Central Bank, so it is stable against the dollar. Against the euro, the pound, the Canadian dollar or the Moroccan dirham, its value follows those currencies' moves against the dollar, which is worth factoring into your payment schedule.
How much do I need to invest for the UAE Golden Visa through property?
The UAE Golden Visa is a 10-year residence visa for property investors whose property is worth at least AED 2 million, according to the official conditions published on u.ae. These conditions can change, so check them at the time of purchase. Moroccan nationals qualify on the same terms as every other nationality.
Does the Golden Visa cover my family?
The Golden Visa can allow holders to sponsor family members, according to the official rules published by the UAE authorities. Which relatives qualify and which documents are required are set by those rules. Before you buy, we check the conditions that apply to your family situation.
Does an off-plan or mortgaged property qualify for the Golden Visa?
The conditions for off-plan property, mortgaged property and jointly owned property are set by the UAE authorities and can change. They concern, among other things, the property value and the amounts already paid. If the Golden Visa is your goal, the property's eligibility is checked against the official conditions before reservation.
Does buying property in Dubai automatically give residence?
No. Owning property and holding residence are two separate processes. Owning a property in Dubai does not automatically give a visa: you need to meet the official conditions of a residence category, such as the Golden Visa for property worth at least AED 2 million. The conditions for each visa category are published on the official portal u.ae.
How do I rent out my Dubai property from abroad?
You appoint a licensed property manager who finds the tenant, registers the lease through Ejari, the Dubai Land Department's official system, collects the rent and handles maintenance. You follow everything remotely: lease, inspection report and payments. A lease registered in Ejari protects both the owner and the tenant.
Can I do short-term holiday rentals in Dubai?
Yes, provided you obtain a holiday home permit from Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), which frames the activity and the standards of the home. Short-term letting needs more day-to-day follow-up than a long-term lease: cleaning, guest check-in, maintenance and calendar management. The right choice depends on the building and your goal.
How do I sell my Dubai property while living abroad?
The property is valued against sales registered at the Dubai Land Department, then listed by a RERA-licensed agent. The seller obtains a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the developer, and the transfer is signed at a DLD trustee office. Any mortgage must be cleared or transferred, and a power of attorney lets you sell without travelling.
Can I send my rent or sale proceeds back to Morocco?
Funds are paid into your bank account, then sent by international transfer. On the Moroccan side, check the Office des Changes rules and the process with your bank. Moroccans living abroad can hold funds in convertible dirhams. Keep every document, including the deed of sale, leases and statements, for your bank and your tax return.
Which Dubai area rents most easily?
The right area depends on the tenant you target. Central and waterfront areas such as Downtown Dubai, Business Bay and Dubai Marina attract young professionals and holiday renters, while residential communities such as Dubai Hills Estate and Jumeirah Village Circle appeal to families. Official rents registered through Ejari let you compare before you buy.
Which Moroccan real estate agency is there in Dubai?
Cevitas Real Estate is a RERA-licensed real estate agency in Dubai founded by Ahmed Benjas, a Moroccan based in Dubai. It guides Moroccans in Morocco and abroad, as well as international buyers, in Darija, French, Arabic and English, from project selection to handover and letting. Its office is at NGI House, Port Saeed, Deira, Dubai.
Is there a Darija-speaking property broker in Dubai?
Yes. At Cevitas Real Estate, a RERA-licensed agency in Dubai, Ahmed Benjas and his team work in Darija, French, Arabic and English. You can ask every question in your own language, from the first WhatsApp conversation to signing, handover and letting your property.
Who is Ahmed Benjas?
Ahmed Benjas was born in Morocco and lives in Dubai. After more than 20 years in finance, he founded Cevitas Real Estate LLC, a RERA-licensed real estate agency in Dubai, where he is CEO. With his team he has placed more than AED 200 million for private investors. He advises buyers in Darija, French, Arabic and English.
How much does a real estate agent cost in Dubai?
On an off-plan purchase, Cevitas' commission is paid by the developer: the buyer pays the developer's price with no extra agency fee. On a resale, the agency commission is usually 2% of the price. In every case, the fees and all purchase costs are confirmed in writing before any commitment.
How do I check a real estate agent in Dubai?
Every real estate agent in Dubai must hold a personal RERA card (BRN) and work for an agency registered with the Dubai Land Department (ORN). Both numbers can be checked in minutes on the official Dubai REST app. Ask for them before any payment, and never send money to a personal account.
How do I start a project with Cevitas?
Message +971 55 772 2710 on WhatsApp or request a call back on the website. A first conversation, in Darija, French, Arabic or English, frames your budget, goal, timeline and the payment route from your country. You then receive a selection of projects with the developers' official documents.
Your question is not on the list?
Ask Ahmed Benjas and his team directly, in Darija, French, Arabic or English. One conversation to frame your project, with no commitment.