Question 1

Can foreigners buy property in the UAE?

Accepted Answer

Yes, though the rules are set by each emirate rather than nationally. In Dubai — where most of our transactions take place — foreign nationals can purchase on a full freehold basis in areas designated for foreign ownership, which covers most of the communities international buyers are interested in: Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, Business Bay, JVC and Dubai Hills Estate among them. Freehold means you own the property and the land outright, with no time limit and no requirement to be a UAE resident. Ownership is registered with the Dubai Land Department and you receive a title deed in your name. Other emirates such as Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah operate their own designated investment zones and registration bodies, with different conditions — ask us before assuming Dubai rules apply elsewhere.

Question 2

What does the buying process actually involve?

Accepted Answer

In outline: you agree terms with the seller, sign a Memorandum of Understanding and pay a deposit, obtain a No Objection Certificate from the developer, and then complete the transfer at a Dubai Land Department trustee office where the title deed is issued. For a ready property the whole process commonly completes within a few weeks. You do not need to be resident in the UAE, and the process can be completed remotely through a power of attorney. We guide you through each stage.

Question 3

What costs should I budget for beyond the purchase price?

Accepted Answer

Expect a Dubai Land Department transfer fee, a title deed issuance fee, a registration trustee fee, and agency commission. If you are financing, add mortgage registration and valuation fees, and if you use a conveyancer, their fee. Ongoing costs are service charges levied by the building or community, billed annually per square foot. We provide a full itemised cost breakdown for any specific property before you commit — the exact percentages and fixed fees are set by the DLD and are best confirmed at the time of your transaction.

Question 4

Can I get a mortgage as a non-resident?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Several UAE banks lend to non-resident buyers, though the maximum loan-to-value ratio is lower than for residents, meaning you will need a larger deposit. Terms depend on your nationality, income, and whether the property is ready or off-plan. Some buyers instead finance through their home country or pay in cash. We can introduce you to mortgage advisors who work regularly with international clients.

Question 5

How do off-plan payment plans work?

Accepted Answer

Off-plan purchases are typically paid in instalments linked either to construction milestones or to a fixed schedule, with a deposit on booking and a final payment at handover. Some developers also offer post-handover plans that extend payments beyond completion. Buyer funds for off-plan projects must be paid into a project escrow account regulated by the Dubai Land Department, which is released to the developer only against verified construction progress.

Question 6

Is buying off-plan risky?

Accepted Answer

Off-plan carries genuine risks that a ready property does not — principally construction delay and the possibility that the finished product differs from what was marketed. Those risks are mitigated by the escrow system, by developer registration requirements, and by the interim registration of your purchase in the Oqood system. The practical safeguard is choosing an established developer with a delivery track record. We will tell you candidly where we think a project carries above-average risk.

Question 7

How does property investment lead to a Golden Visa?

Accepted Answer

The UAE grants a long-term, renewable residence visa to foreign nationals who invest in property at or above a set value threshold. The visa can include your spouse and children, and it does not require you to be sponsored by an employer. Eligibility depends on the property value, the property being complete or meeting specific conditions if off-plan, and the title being registered in your name. Thresholds and conditions are set by the UAE government and are periodically updated — we confirm current requirements against your specific circumstances before you buy.

Question 8

Can I qualify for a Golden Visa if the property is mortgaged?

Accepted Answer

It is possible, but conditional. Where a property is financed, authorities generally look at the equity you hold rather than the headline purchase price, and some lenders and free zones apply additional requirements. This is one of the areas where general guidance is least reliable, so we assess it case by case rather than giving a blanket answer.

Question 9

Can you manage the property and rent it out for me?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many of our international clients never live in the property they buy. Management covers tenant sourcing and vetting, tenancy registration (Ejari, in Dubai; other emirates run their own registry), rent collection, maintenance coordination and annual renewals, so the asset runs without you being in the country. We can set out what this costs relative to your expected rental income before you purchase.

Question 10

How easily can I sell later?

Accepted Answer

Dubai has an active resale market and no restriction on foreign owners selling to other foreign buyers. Liquidity varies significantly by community, price bracket and unit type — mid-market apartments in established areas typically resell faster than very high-value or unusual properties. If exit timing matters to your plan, tell us at the outset and we will factor it into what we recommend.

Find Your Perfect Property in the UAE

We work with the UAE’s leading developers

A market built for international investors

High Rental Yields

Tax Advantages

Strong Property Market

Growing Economy

World-Class Infrastructure

Golden Visa Opportunities

New launches worth knowing about

Golf Hills & Golf Hills 2

MAREVA & MAREVA 2

LYVIA BY PALACE

Valia

VINDERA

ALBERO

Why the maths works in the UAE

Dubai’s most sought-after communities

Dubai Marina

Downtown Dubai

Business Bay

Dubai Hills Estate

Property specialists we can connect you with

Sayed Tantawy

Aleksandra Kustocz

Ziad Eid

Ahmed Kassem

Gabriela Serwatko

Joanna Galian

Marcin Galian

Nikodem Rzepka

How buying here actually works

Buying off-plan

Understanding what you want

A shortlist worth reading

Registering early interest

Reserving your unit

Signing the contract

Paying as it is built

Completion and keys

Buying a completed property

Viewing and choosing

Agreeing the price

Putting it in writing

Appointing someone to sign

Developer clearance

Transfer of ownership

Everything you need to know first

Ready to Invest in UAE Real Estate?