Buying Property in Dubai as an International Investor
Foreign nationals can buy property in Dubai with full freehold ownership in designated freehold areas — no UAE residency required. Amber Homes Real Estate (RERA ORN 18690) works with international buyers from the UK, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Russia, Pakistan and India, and supports the entire purchase remotely: video viewings, remote document signing, and guidance at every step until transfer.
Who can buy
As of July 2026, Dubai allows foreign nationals — individuals of any nationality, resident or not — to buy, own, sell and lease property in the emirate's designated freehold areas. Freehold ownership means the property is registered in your name with the Dubai Land Department, with no time limit on ownership.
There is no residency requirement: you do not need a UAE visa to purchase, and many of our international clients own Dubai property while living entirely abroad. Popular freehold areas span the city's established waterfront, downtown and emerging master-planned communities.
The process from abroad
- 1. Brief and shortlist remotely — Tell us your budget, goal (end use, rental income or capital growth) and preferred areas. We shortlist matching units and walk you through each one on a live video viewing.
- 2. Reserve and sign — Once you choose a unit, the reservation and purchase agreements can generally be signed remotely. For steps that require in-person presence, a power of attorney arrangement exists so a representative can act on your behalf.
- 3. Transfer funds and complete — Payment is made per the agreement, and the transfer is registered with the Dubai Land Department, after which the property is in your name.
This is a general outline, not legal advice — documentation requirements vary by transaction and by your home jurisdiction. We recommend engaging independent legal counsel for your purchase.
Costs
Typical buyer costs on a Dubai property purchase, as of July 2026.
- DLD transfer fee: 4% of the purchase price, plus an AED 580 admin fee.
- Agency commission: typically 2% of the purchase price, plus VAT.
- Registration trustee fee: roughly AED 2,100 plus VAT for properties under AED 500,000, or AED 4,200 plus VAT above that.
- Developer NOC fee (secondary market): usually AED 500–5,000, set by the developer.
- Mortgage registration (if financing): 0.25% of the loan amount.
Golden Visa note
As of July 2026, a property investment of AED 2 million or more can qualify the owner to apply for the UAE's 10-year Golden Visa. Criteria and application requirements are set by the UAE authorities and can change — verify the current rules through official channels before treating the visa as a certainty in your purchase decision.
Key risks
- Market movement: prices and rents move in cycles; past performance is no guarantee of future returns.
- Currency exposure: if your income or savings are not in AED (or a currency pegged to the US dollar), exchange-rate moves change your effective cost and returns.
- Off-plan timing: handover dates on under-construction projects can shift, delaying occupancy or rental income.
- Ongoing costs: service charges and maintenance continue for as long as you own the unit and vary by building — factor them into yield calculations.
- Buying from abroad: work only with RERA-licensed brokers, verify every document, and engage independent legal counsel before signing or transferring funds.
International buyer FAQs
Can foreigners buy property in Dubai?
Yes. Foreign nationals of any nationality can buy property with full freehold ownership in Dubai's designated freehold areas. There is no UAE residency requirement to purchase — you can own Dubai property while living entirely abroad.
Can I buy Dubai property without travelling to the UAE?
Yes, remote purchase is supported. Viewings can be done by live video, and documents can generally be signed remotely; a power of attorney arrangement also exists for buyers who cannot attend in person. Because requirements can vary by transaction, we recommend engaging independent legal counsel to confirm the right route for your situation.
What does it cost to buy property in Dubai as an international buyer?
As of July 2026, budget for the DLD transfer fee of 4% of the purchase price plus an AED 580 admin fee, agency commission of typically 2% plus VAT, a registration trustee fee of roughly AED 2,100 to 4,200 plus VAT, and — on secondary-market purchases — a developer NOC fee that usually ranges from AED 500 to 5,000. If you are financing, add a mortgage registration fee of 0.25% of the loan amount.
Does buying property in Dubai qualify me for a visa?
As of July 2026, a property investment of AED 2 million or more can qualify an owner to apply for the UAE's 10-year Golden Visa. Eligibility criteria and application requirements are set by the UAE authorities and can change, so verify the current criteria through official channels before making the visa a deciding factor in a purchase.
Country-specific buyer guides for the UK, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Russia, Pakistan and India are in preparation and will be published here.
Buying from abroad? Tell us your budget and goal, and we'll shortlist matching Dubai properties and arrange video viewings — or send us an enquiry.