Can foreigners buy property in Dubai?
Yes. Turkish and other foreign nationals can buy residential and commercial property in Dubai’s freehold areas, including Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC), Arjan, Dubai Hills Estate and Palm Jumeirah.
The title deed is registered in your name with the Dubai Land Department (DLD). You do not need UAE residency to buy, and you can own property alone, jointly with your spouse or through a suitable company structure.
Who is buying in Dubai a good fit for?
- Investors seeking rental income in a dollar-pegged currency and geographic diversification
- People planning to live, work or start a business in Dubai, or to educate their children there
- Buyers aiming for long-term residency (Golden Visa) through property
- Medium- to long-term investors who want to plan cash flow and costs in advance
On the other hand, expecting quick flips within months, looking for “guaranteed returns” or tying an entire budget to one off-plan project is risky. Good decisions weigh goals, time horizon and risk appetite together.
Ready or off-plan?
| Criterion | Ready (resale) | Off-plan |
|---|---|---|
| Payment | Cash or mortgage | Instalments during construction, sometimes after handover |
| Rental income | Straight after transfer | After handover |
| Seeing before buying | Building, view and service charge are known | Based on plans, models and the developer’s track record |
| Main risk | Building age, maintenance and service charges | Delivery delays and developer risk |
| DLD fee (4%) | Paid on transfer | Paid on Oqood registration |
| Residency options | Golden Visa and 2-year investor visa | Golden Visa with approved developers; not eligible for the 2-year visa |
Step by step: buying a ready (resale) apartment
- Goals and budget: clarify the purpose (rental, living, residency), the total budget including costs and how you will pay.
- Area and unit selection: compare service charges, building management, rental history and comparable rents for the shortlisted units.
- Offer and negotiation: agree on price, payment method and transfer date.
- Memorandum of understanding (MOU / Form F): sign RERA’s standard contract; a security deposit of usually 10% of the price is held by the brokerage.
- Developer NOC: the seller obtains the no-objection certificate confirming no amounts are owed to the developer.
- Transfer: at a DLD trustee office, payment is made, the 4% fee and charges are paid and the title deed is issued to the buyer.
- Handover: keys are handed over, utilities (DEWA) connected and letting preparations begin.
Cash purchases often complete in around 30 days. Mortgages take longer because of bank approval and valuation.
Step by step: buying off-plan
- Project and developer research: check the developer’s delivery record, the project’s DLD/RERA registration and its escrow account.
- Reservation: a reservation or down payment, usually 5–20% of the price depending on the project.
- Sale and purchase agreement (SPA): the payment plan, handover date, delay and cancellation terms are set out.
- Oqood registration: the 4% DLD fee is paid and the pre-title Oqood is registered.
- Instalments: payments go to the project’s escrow account on a schedule linked to construction progress.
- Handover and title deed: after the snagging inspection, keys are handed over and the title deed is issued with the final payment.
Documents you will need
- A passport valid for at least six months
- Contact and address details (and Emirates ID if you are a UAE resident)
- For a mortgage: proof of income, bank statements and a credit report
- For company purchases: company documents and signatory authority
- For purchases by proxy: a power of attorney made valid for use in the UAE
Payments and transferring money
Payments are made by bank transfer (SWIFT) or manager’s cheque; cash is not recommended. Under anti-money-laundering rules you may be asked for documents showing the source of funds, such as bank statements or sale contracts.
The UAE dirham (AED) is pegged to the US dollar at $1 = AED 3.6725, which makes planning your budget in dollars straightforward.
Can you buy without travelling to Dubai?
Yes. Projects can be viewed on live video tours, and most developers allow reservation forms and contracts to be signed electronically. If you cannot attend the transfer, it can be completed by power of attorney.
A power of attorney issued in Türkiye must be notarised and then legalised for use in the UAE. We confirm the correct procedure with our partner and, where needed, a lawyer before the transaction.
Costs: what is added to the price?
| Item | Approximate amount |
|---|---|
| DLD transfer fee | 4% of the price |
| Trustee office fee | AED 4,000 + VAT (AED 2,000 + VAT below AED 500k) |
| DLD admin fees | About AED 580 |
| Agency commission (resale) | Usually 2% + 5% VAT |
| Mortgage registration | 0.25% of the loan + AED 290 |
| Off-plan: Oqood admin fee | AED 40 (plus a developer registration fee) |
For ready property, total costs usually come to about 6–8% of the price. Try your own scenario with the cost calculator.
Letting and property management
Long-term leases are usually for one year and registered with Ejari, with rent often paid by several cheques or bank transfer. Professional managers handle tenant search, collection and maintenance for a small percentage of the annual rent.
Short-term (holiday home) letting offers higher gross income potential but needs a DET permit, insurance and usually an operator charging around 15–25% of revenue. See our rental yield guide for a full comparison.
Tax and reporting in Türkiye (general information)
For individuals, the UAE has no annual property tax, no personal income tax on rent and no capital gains tax. Commercial property carries 5% VAT, and company structures may fall under corporate tax.
If you are tax resident in Türkiye, rental income and gains from abroad may need to be declared there. Türkiye and the UAE have a double taxation agreement. This is general information; please consult your tax adviser about your own situation.
Common mistakes and a safety checklist
- Paying before checking the developer’s and project’s DLD/RERA registration
- Sending money to anything other than the escrow account
- Calculating returns without service charges, vacancy and management costs
- Focusing on launch discounts while ignoring location, tenant demand and new supply
- Not reading the delay, cancellation and assignment clauses
- Working with intermediaries who cannot show a RERA broker card
Title deeds, broker licences and escrow details can be verified through official DLD channels. We prepare these checks in writing for every transaction.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need residency to buy property in Dubai?
No. Foreigners can buy in freehold areas without residency. Owning property can, under certain conditions, make you eligible to apply for residency.
Can I get a mortgage in Dubai?
Some UAE banks lend to non-residents, usually up to around 50–60% of the property value depending on the bank. For off-plan projects, developer payment plans are more common than bank loans.
How long does the purchase take?
Cash purchases of ready property often complete in around 30 days. Mortgages add time for bank approval and valuation. Off-plan reservations and contracts can be completed within days; handover follows the project schedule.
Whose name goes on the title deed?
The deed can be in your name, held jointly with your spouse, or held through a compliant company structure. If you have goals such as the Golden Visa, plan the ownership structure from the start.
Do I need a lawyer to buy in Dubai?
It is not mandatory; transactions use RERA’s standard contracts. For large purchases, transactions by power of attorney and company structures, we recommend independent legal advice.