Buying
How to Buy Property in Dubai: A First-Time Buyer's Guide
By Dhananjay Arora · CEO & Founder, Al Ranim Properties
Published 14 February 2026 · 9 min read
A step-by-step walkthrough of buying property in Dubai: eligibility, fees, financing, paperwork and what to watch out for.
Yes, foreigners can buy property in Dubai, and it is much simpler than the process of buying property for the first time. To buy property in Dubai, a buyer has to pick a freehold area in which to purchase and work with a RERA-registered agent. Then, the buyer and the seller must agree on the selling price of the property and sign a Form F sales contract. At this point, the buyer has to pay a 10 percent deposit of the selling price of the property by cheque to the agent when they sign the Form F sales contract. The transfer of ownership must then be executed at a trustee office of the Dubai Land Department where the title deed is issued to the property buyer. There are fees associated with the purchase of property in Dubai. Both the Dubai Land Department and the real estate agent will take a percentage of the selling price of the property. AED 2 million and above is the purchase price that will qualify a foreigner for a Golden Visa to Dubai. Here is the full step-by-step guide on how to buy property in Dubai as a foreigner.
Key takeaways
- Foreign individuals can own freehold interest in property in Dubai in the freehold zones designated by the authorities for their use.
- A deposit of 10% of the property value is usually demanded and paid by cheque on execution of the Form F sales contract.
- There are fees in addition to the property price. These fees include Dubai Land Department transfer charge (4% of the sale price) and an agency fee of 2% plus VAT.
- The title deed will be issued at the office of the trustee at the Dubai Land Department after the transfer of the title.
- Golden Visa is also available to individuals who buy residential property in Dubai for AED 2 million and above.
How to Buy Property in Dubai: The 7 Steps
- Choose a freehold area and set your budget, including the fees.
- Get a mortgage pre-approval if you need a loan.
- View properties with a RERA-registered agent.
- Agree the price and sign Form F with a 10% deposit.
- The seller gets the developer NOC.
- Transfer at a trustee office and pay the 4% DLD fee.
- Receive your title deed and the keys.
How to Buy Your First Property in Dubai
Thinking about relocating to Dubai? Then buying your first home there must be an exciting experience. Don’t worry if you are not sure what to do to buy a home in Dubai. Getting a Golden Visa and buying property in Dubai is easier than it might seem. This article will give you a step by step guide to buying your first home in Dubai.
Step 1: Research and Budgeting
Research before buying a home is very important. What type of home are you looking for? Whether it is a villa or an apartment. What area would you like to live in? And also what is the lifestyle of that area. Al Furjan for example is a popular area to purchase your first home. Look at the current listings too. Also look ahead to your earning potential. Ask around which bank gives the best down payment, interest rate and repayment period. In addition to the purchase price there is a transfer fee charged by Dubai Land Department at 4%, a registration fee for the mortgage (if applicable), a fee charged by an agency (around 2%) and then there are service charges. You should also look into the Golden Visa. There is a path to obtaining a Golden Visa via property. Try and use a reputable real estate agent such as Al Ranim Properties. Then proceed.
Step 2: Financial Planning
| # | Cost | What it covers | Approximate amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DLD transfer fee | The Dubai Land Department's main government fee | 4% of the property price |
| 2 | Agency commission | The agent's fee for handling the purchase | 2% of the price, plus 5% VAT |
| 3 | Trustee office fee | Registration at the DLD trustee office | AED 4,200 (AED 2,100 if the property is under AED 500,000) |
| 4 | Title deed fee | Issuing your new title deed | AED 580 |
| 5 | Conveyancing (sales progression) fee | Managing the paperwork and the transfer process from offer to handover | From AED 3,500 plus VAT for cash buyers, AED 6,600 plus VAT for mortgage buyers (varies by transaction) |
| 6 | Mortgage registration | Only if you buy with a mortgage | 0.25% of the loan amount |
| 7 | Service charges | Ongoing yearly community and building fee | Varies by building, charged per square foot each year |
After your research has been done you can set up a budget. Your budget should take into account your current and future earning capacity, savings and any other extra costs associated with buying a home. Also include the repayment of any mortgage that you might take out when you purchase. The mortgage itself is also important. Find out about the repayment period, interest rate and the required down payment. For foreign investors banks typically require a greater down payment than they do for local investors. Having a good budget in place helps to ensure no money issues pop up whilst buying.
Step 3: Understanding the Law
Understand the legal side of property as well. The Dubai Land Department regulates property purchases and ensures that the rights of the buyer and seller are protected. There are two types of property in Dubai. Freehold and leasehold. Foreign individuals are allowed to purchase freehold property in specific areas within Dubai. There are currently both off plan and ready properties available. If you are looking to get a Golden Visa you should note that a freehold property of at least AED 2 million can be used towards obtaining a Golden Visa. New regulations have been put in place that allow mortgaged and off plan properties to be used towards meeting the AED 2 million requirement for the Golden Visa. For more information on residency with property purchases see our Dubai property investment guide.
Step 4: Choosing the Right Real Estate Agent
At this stage you should also try and use a reputable real estate agent. Make sure the real estate agent is RERA registered and experienced. Take a look at reviews for an agency such as Al Ranim Properties. Also make sure the real estate agent is familiar with the areas you are interested in. When looking at properties arrange to view the property in person. Being able to view the exterior, the interior and the immediate surroundings of the property cannot be done effectively by pictures.
Step 5: Negotiation and Purchase
Once you have found an apartment or villa that you are interested in you should then negotiate with the seller. Use the information provided by the real estate agent to negotiate the price and then sign the sales contract. Before doing so always consult your legal representative. A legal representative will look at all documents in accordance with Dubai property laws and ensure your interests are protected.
Step 6: Property Registration
Once a price has been agreed upon between the buyer and seller the next step commences. This is where the role of a real estate agent becomes important. A Form A will be signed by the agent and seller as an agreement to list the property. Form B will then be signed by the buyer and real estate agent. Once both agreement forms have been signed the buyer and seller will then meet to sign Form F which is known as the Memorandum of Understanding. This document will contain information about the agreed upon price, date of completion and the deposit amount. It is a legally binding agreement so it should be read by both buyer and seller prior to signing.
Now comes the time to pay the deposit amount, which is about 10% of the agreed price. Here it is important to know the procedure behind paying it. Firstly, this deposit, which is 10% of the sale price, can be paid in any form, whether cash, a personal cheque or a manager’s cheque, and it never goes to the seller but is rather held by the agent. When you hand it over, the agency issues you an acknowledgment confirming the cheque has been received. For as long as the transfer hasn’t happened, this cheque remains with the agency, and only when the property is successfully transferred to your name is the cheque returned back to you. In case of any dispute between the buyer and seller, however, the cheque stays with the agency and is released only as and when the Dubai Court orders the agency to do so.
The actual transfer happens in a Registration Trustee Office authorized by the Dubai Land Department. To accomplish this, the following documents are required from the buyer’s side: the signed Form F, the broker forms and all other necessary documents. The seller has to obtain a No Objection Certificate from the developer verifying that all service charges are clear. Many of these documents can now be uploaded through the Dubai REST app, thus making the process much more convenient. In the trustee office both parties meet and, after exchanging the cheques, the transfer is registered by the Dubai Land Department and a new title deed is issued.
If you plan to purchase property with a mortgage there are some extra steps that will need to be taken. A mortgage will require the bank to carry out a valuation and the conveyancers will liaise between the seller, buyer and the bank. The bank will then issue a final offer. At the transfer the bank will send a representative to bring the cheques to the trustee office and the transfer of the title can happen at this time. Proof of ownership should also be included as part of the Golden Visa application and submitted to the correct authorities along with the other required paperwork.
Step 7: After the Purchase
After receiving the keys take the opportunity to arrange hand over of utilities to your name and find out about the maintenance in the block. Take the time to get to know your neighbours and explore the area around the property as this is what will make the property your home.
How to Buy a House or Villa in Dubai
A villa or townhouse in Dubai can be purchased in the same manner as an apartment. The only difference is the inspections to be conducted prior to signing. A plot size and built-up area should be checked. Community fees should be requested. The roof, pool and air conditioning should be viewed. Maintenance of a villa is the responsibility of the owner. Foreign individuals are allowed to own townhouses and villas outright in freehold communities such as Damac Hills and Al Furjan.
How to Buy Land in Dubai
Foreign individuals can purchase plots in Dubai but only in areas designated by the Ruler for freehold development. Purchasing a plot works similarly to purchasing a villa. The same transfer fee (4%) and a small map fee are charged. Prior to payment a no objection certificate from the master developer and the conditions of the plot (such as what can be built on it) should be requested.
Documents Required to Buy Property in Dubai
The amount of paperwork is less than most expect. For a freehold transaction the Dubai Land Department requires either an Emirates ID of the buyer and seller or a valid passport for individuals not residing in the UAE. In freehold areas the seller must obtain an electronic no objection certificate from the developer via the Dubai REST app. If a representative is signing on behalf of the buyer they must provide a power of attorney.
| Who | Document | When |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer | Emirates ID, or passport if you live abroad | Always |
| Buyer | Signed Form F (MoU) and the deposit cheque | When the price is agreed |
| Buyer | Manager's cheques for the price and the fees | At the transfer |
| Buyer | Bank final offer letter | Mortgage buyers |
| Seller | Original title deed, Emirates ID or passport | Always |
| Seller | Developer e-NOC from the Dubai REST app | Freehold areas |
| Seller | Bank liability letter, then the release letter | Mortgaged property |
| Either side | Power of attorney | If someone signs for you |
| Off-plan buyer | Sale and purchase agreement, Oqood registration | Off-plan purchases |
Can You Buy Property in Dubai Without an Agent?
It is possible to purchase property in Dubai without the use of a real estate agent. There is no legal requirement to use an agent. A property purchase is registered at a Real Estate Registration Trustee centre between the buyer and seller or their representatives. Direct sales are also possible online through the Buy or Sell via Dubai Now service for UAE residents, for mortgage-free freehold apartments, offices and townhouses. This however leaves you without the services provided by a RERA registered agent. No one will verify the identity of the seller or the title to the property. No one will hold the deposit or follow up on documentation. It must be done by the buyer or their lawyer.
Can You Buy Property in Dubai Without a Down Payment?
It is not possible to purchase property in Dubai with a mortgage and no down payment. The UAE Central Bank permits an expat to obtain a mortgage of up to 80% of the purchase price for a first home up to AED 5 million. Therefore a minimum of 20% of the purchase price must be provided by the buyer, plus fees which cannot be financed by a bank. For off-plan purchases approximately 10% is often requested at the time of booking with the balance paid via an installment plan.
Your Dubai Home Awaits
Moving to Dubai and buying your first home can at first appear to be a complex process. However with effective planning, effective budgeting, professional legal input and a reputable real estate agency like Al Ranim Properties, buying your first home in Dubai can be a very rewarding experience. Your home in Dubai is not just an asset, it is yours in one of the most up and coming cities in the world. The future development of Dubai is well documented in the Dubai 2040 Master Plan.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
A villa or townhouse in Dubai can be purchased in the same manner as an apartment. The only difference is the inspections to be conducted prior to signing. Foreign individuals are allowed to own townhouses and villas outright in freehold communities such as Damac Hills and Al Furjan.
For a freehold transaction the Dubai Land Department requires either an Emirates ID of the buyer and seller or a valid passport for individuals not residing in the UAE. In freehold areas the seller must obtain an electronic no objection certificate from the developer via the Dubai REST app. If a representative is signing on behalf of the buyer they must provide a power of attorney.
Foreign individuals can purchase plots in Dubai but only in areas designated by the Ruler for freehold development. The same transfer fee (4%) and a small map fee are charged.
It is not possible to purchase property in Dubai with a mortgage and no down payment. The UAE Central Bank permits an expat to obtain a mortgage of up to 80% of the purchase price for a first home up to AED 5 million. Therefore a minimum of 20% of the purchase price must be provided by the buyer, plus fees which cannot be financed by a bank.
Yes. Foreign individuals are permitted to own freehold property in Dubai’s freehold zones. All transactions are recorded by the Dubai Land Department and offer foreigners a clear and safe system for owning property.
There are a number of fees apart from the price of your secondary market property in Dubai. A transfer fee of 4% of the sale value of the property you are acquiring will be charged by the Dubai Land Department. A typical agency fee is 2% of the price of the property plus 5% VAT. A registration trustee fee of 4,200 dirhams will be charged if the value of the property you are acquiring is AED 500,000 or more or 2,100 dirhams for the registration of a residential property with a value of AED 500,000 or less. A title deed fee of 580 dirhams is charged. For cash purchases of residential property the conveyancing fee (which handles the sales progression of your property) is from 3,500 dirhams + VAT or 6,600 dirhams + VAT for mortgage purchased residential property. If you are purchasing a residential property by mortgage an additional mortgage registration fee and blocking fee is charged and paid to the Dubai Land Department directly.
Yes. You can be eligible for the 10 year Golden Visa if you purchase property worth a minimum of AED 2 million. Off plan and mortgage property can now be used to satisfy the property requirement due to recent changes. Family sponsorship is also allowed under the Golden Visa.
Freehold means the land and the property can be held indefinitely by the owner. Leasehold means the property can only be held for a certain period of time and then reverts to the freeholder. Foreign investors are allowed to purchase freehold property within the freehold areas of Dubai.
It is not legally mandated but it is strongly advised to engage a RERA registered agent to assist in house hunting. They can help with viewings, negotiations, registration and documentation and can ensure you don’t make any avoidably expensive errors.
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