This guide explains the full process in 2026, step by step, for both ready and off-plan property. It is written by the team at SPI Dubai (S P INVEST REAL ESTATE L.L.C, RERA ORN 30760), a Dubai brokerage with 13+ years on the market and 150+ brokers.

Can foreigners own property in Dubai?

Yes. Since 2002, Dubai has allowed foreign nationals to buy property with full ownership (freehold) in designated areas. Ownership is recorded in the official DLD register, and the buyer receives a title deed in their own name. Freehold property can be sold, rented out, gifted or inherited.

Dubai remains one of the most active property markets in the world. According to Dubai Land Department transaction data, the emirate recorded 215,736 property transactions worth AED 686.8 billion in 2025, the highest annual value on record.

Who can buy

  • Non-residents living anywhere in the world, with a valid passport.
  • UAE residents of any nationality.
  • Companies, including some offshore and free zone companies, subject to developer and DLD rules.

You do not need to visit Dubai to buy. Many international buyers complete the whole purchase remotely (see below).

Step-by-step: buying ready (secondary) property

  1. Define your goal and budget. Rental income, capital growth, a home for your family or residency (Golden Visa from AED 2 million) each lead to different areas and property types. Use our investment calculator to estimate total costs and projected returns.
  2. Choose a licensed broker. In Dubai, brokers and agencies must be registered with RERA (the Real Estate Regulatory Agency). Ask for the agency's ORN and the broker's BRN.
  3. Select the property and agree the price. Your broker checks the title deed, service charges, any mortgage on the property and recent comparable sales in the building.
  4. Sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU, also called Form F). This standard RERA contract sets the price, deposit, transfer date and conditions. The buyer usually pays a security deposit, commonly 10% of the price, held until transfer.
  5. Developer NOC. The seller applies for a No Objection Certificate from the developer, confirming there are no outstanding service charges.
  6. Transfer at a DLD Trustee Office. Buyer and seller (or their representatives under a power of attorney) meet at a trustee office. The buyer pays the price (usually by manager's cheque or bank transfer) and the DLD fees.
  7. Receive your title deed. The new title deed is issued in your name, usually on the same day as transfer.

If you buy with a mortgage, add a bank pre-approval before step 4 and a bank valuation before transfer. See our guide to mortgages for non-residents.

Step-by-step: buying off-plan property

  1. Choose the project and unit. Check the developer's delivery record, the project's DLD registration and the payment plan. Our off-plan catalogue shows payment plans and handover dates for each project.
  2. Reserve the unit. You pay a booking amount set by the developer (often 5–20% of the price) and sign a reservation form.
  3. Sign the Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA). The SPA sets the payment schedule, handover date and specifications.
  4. Oqood registration. The developer registers your purchase in the DLD interim register (Oqood). This is when the 4% DLD fee is paid.
  5. Pay according to the payment plan. Payments go into the project's escrow account, regulated under Dubai Law No. 8 of 2007. Funds are released to the developer according to verified construction progress.
  6. Handover. At completion you pay the remaining balance, inspect the unit (snagging) and receive the keys. Your Oqood registration is converted into a title deed.

Learn more in our comparison of off-plan vs ready property.

Documents you need

Buyer type Documents
Individual, non-resident Passport copy; proof of address may be requested for KYC
Individual, UAE resident Passport, Emirates ID
Company Trade licence, memorandum and articles of association, board resolution, passports of signatories
All buyers Source of funds information for anti-money-laundering (AML) checks

Because of UAE anti-money-laundering rules, brokers, developers and banks must verify the buyer's identity and source of funds. Payments should come from an account in your name.

How much does it cost to buy property in Dubai?

Cost Typical amount
DLD transfer fee 4% of the price
DLD admin fee AED 580 (ready) / AED 40 (off-plan)
Trustee office fee AED 4,000–4,200 + 5% VAT (ready property)
Title deed issuance AED 250
Agency fee Usually 2% + 5% VAT for ready property; usually none when buying off-plan directly through the developer's sales channel
Mortgage registration (if any) 0.25% of the loan + AED 290

As a rule of thumb, budget about 6–7% on top of the price for ready property and about 4% for off-plan. Full breakdown with examples: property taxes and buying costs in Dubai.

Can I buy property in Dubai remotely?

Yes. Viewings can be done by video, contracts can be signed electronically or through a power of attorney (POA), and payments are made by international bank transfer. Off-plan purchases are especially simple to complete remotely because you deal directly with the developer and DLD registration is done online. At SPI Dubai, many international clients complete the purchase without flying to Dubai.

Does buying property give me a UAE visa?

It can. Property worth AED 2 million or more can qualify the owner for a 10-year Golden Visa, including off-plan property registered with DLD. Read the full rules in our Golden Visa through property guide.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Comparing asking prices instead of actual DLD transaction prices in the same building.
  • Forgetting service charges, which are paid annually per square foot.
  • Choosing an off-plan project only by its payment plan, without checking the developer's delivery history.
  • Paying a deposit to anyone other than the official escrow account (off-plan) or the agreed trustee arrangement (resale).
  • Assuming taxes in your home country do not apply. They may — check with a tax advisor where you are resident.

Talk to an SPI Dubai advisor

SPI Dubai helps investors from dozens of countries choose, buy and later rent out or resell property in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. We usually reply within 10 minutes. Get a consultation or message us on WhatsApp.

This article is for general information only and is not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and fees can change; verify current requirements with the Dubai Land Department or a qualified advisor.

Sources: Dubai Land Department (transaction data 2025, via fäm Properties market report, January 2026); Dubai Law No. 8 of 2007 on escrow accounts; DLD service fees (2026).