United Arab Emirates

Foreigners can own property in the UAE, but only in areas each emirate designates. In Dubai, Regulation No. 3 of 2006 lists the areas where non-UAE nationals may hold freehold ownership without time limit, or usufruct/leasehold rights for up to 99 years. Dubai added more plots on Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Jaddaf in 2025. • Freehold: you own the unit (and in villas usually the land) outright, registered with the Dubai Land Department (DLD). • Leasehold: long-term rights (up to 99 years) without owning the land. • Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and the other emirates have their own rules and approved investment zones; check with that emirate's land authority. • Off-plan purchases are registered in Dubai on the interim register (Oqood) and buyer payments must go into a regulated project escrow account. Researched 13 Oct 2026 from official sources. Not professionally reviewed.

• https://bsalaw.com/insight/dubai-government-to-expand-freehold-areas/
• https://dlp.dubai.gov.ae/Legislation%20Reference/2013/ECR%2030%20of%202013.html
• https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/frequently-asked-questions/

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Main costs when buying in Dubai: • DLD transfer/registration fee: the DLD service page lists 2% of the sale value for the seller and 2% for the purchaser, plus small knowledge and innovation fees (AED 10 each). In practice the parties often agree the buyer pays the full 4%; check your contract. • Title deed, trustee office and broker fees are extra and vary. • No annual property tax on owning a home, and no personal income tax for individuals in the UAE. • VAT: residential sales and leases are generally exempt or zero-rated (first supply of new homes); commercial property is generally subject to 5% VAT. • Corporate tax (9% above AED 375,000) can apply to businesses, including some property businesses; individuals renting their own property generally fall outside it. Confirm your situation with the Federal Tax Authority. Other emirates set their own fees. Researched 13 Oct 2026 from official sources. Not professionally reviewed.

• https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/request-for-transferring-registration-fees-from-one-property-to-another/
• https://tax.gov.ae/en/default.aspx
• https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/finance-and-investment/taxation

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Renting out property in Dubai: • Every residential lease must be registered through Ejari, the DLD tenancy-contract registration system. • Rent increases are limited by the official RERA rental index; the DLD publishes a rental index calculator showing the permitted increase. • Disputes go to the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre. • Short-term (holiday home) letting needs a permit from Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism. • Owners pay service charges set through the DLD-approved service charge index for jointly owned buildings. Other emirates have their own tenancy registration (for example Tawtheeq in Abu Dhabi). Researched 13 Oct 2026 from official sources. Not professionally reviewed.

• https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/ejari/
• https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/rental-index/
• https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/housing

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Property can lead to residency in the UAE: • Golden Visa (real estate): owning one or more properties worth at least AED 2 million in your own name. The federal portal lists this route as 5 years; the Dubai Land Department e-service describes a 10-year renewable permit, so confirm the current term when applying. • A mortgaged property can qualify with a bank letter showing the paid amount; off-plan purchases from approved developers can also qualify. • Spouse, children and parents can be sponsored. • DLD lists total fees for the main applicant of about AED 9,885 (medical, Emirates ID, permit, DLD and admin fees), plus fees for each family member. • Health insurance is required. Researched 13 Oct 2026 from official sources. Not professionally reviewed.

• https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/Types-of-visas/golden-visa
• https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/request-for-golden-visa-investor/
• https://www.moet.gov.ae/en/-/what-are-the-conditions-for-granting-a-golden-visa-to-an-investor-in-real-estate-

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Checks before you buy in Dubai: • Verify the title deed and the owner through the DLD (Dubai REST app or website). • Use a RERA-registered broker; check the broker's licence card number. • For off-plan: check the project is registered, its escrow account, and its construction progress on the DLD project-status service. Never pay a developer outside the escrow account. • Check for mortgages on the property and that service charges are fully paid (the developer issues a no-objection certificate before transfer). • Sign the official contract (Form F / MOU) and complete the transfer at a DLD trustee office. Researched 13 Oct 2026 from official sources. Not professionally reviewed.

• https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/frequently-asked-questions/
• https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/

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Inheritance and wills: • Without a registered will, UAE courts may apply Sharia-based inheritance rules to Muslims, which can split property differently from your wishes. • Non-Muslims can register a will with the DIFC Courts Wills Service (covering assets in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah) or with the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department. • Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 on Civil Personal Status lets non-Muslims apply civil rules to inheritance, including equal shares between sons and daughters when there is no will. • Holding property jointly or through a company affects what happens on death; take advice. Researched 13 Oct 2026 from official sources. Not professionally reviewed.

• https://www.difcwills.com/
• https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/justice-safety-and-the-law/inheritance-and-wills

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People you will usually need: • RERA-registered real estate broker (check the licence on the DLD website or Dubai REST app). • Registered trustee office for the transfer. • UAE-licensed lawyer for contracts, wills and disputes. • Tax adviser if you hold property through a company or have income elsewhere. • Mortgage adviser or bank if borrowing. No professionals on this site are verified for the UAE yet. Researched 13 Oct 2026 from official sources. Not professionally reviewed.

• https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/
• https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/housing

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