Buying property in Dubai: a practical guide

How foreign buyers purchase in Dubai: where you can buy, how title is recorded, off-plan safeguards, fees and buying remotely.

Where foreigners can buy

Foreigners, including people who do not live in the UAE, may buy property in the areas of Dubai designated for them. Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah are among those areas. Your budget will shape which district suits you, so it helps to compare a few before choosing. Current listings start from AED 726,000, and the typical price per square foot is AED 700-4,800.

Our shortlist covers 38 projects. Leave a name and WhatsApp number, or write by email, and we will send options that match your budget.

How ownership is made official

Outside the Dubai International Financial Centre, a sale is valid only when the Dubai Land Department records it. The Department then issues the title deed. The Financial Centre keeps its own register, so property located there follows a separate process.

Off-plan purchases and buyer safeguards

A developer selling off-plan must be registered with the Real Estate Regulatory Agency, which is part of the Dubai Land Department. Buyers' payments go into a project escrow account reserved for construction. This keeps your money tied to the building of the project.

Every off-plan sale must also be recorded in the interim property register, known as Oqood. A sale that is not recorded there is void. Payment plans and handover dates differ from one project to the next. We give them for each project on your shortlist, taken from the live figures.

Costs beyond the price

Buyers pay registration and title deed fees to the Dubai Land Department, plus a service fee to the registration trustee. A broker's commission may apply as well. After purchase, owners pay service charges for the shared areas of the building or community.

Prices and official fees are quoted in UAE dirhams (AED). The dirham is the national currency and is pegged to the US dollar.

Buying from abroad

If you cannot attend in person, a representative can complete the purchase for you. The representative needs a duly notarised power of attorney. We can explain the steps and the documents involved before you decide.

Updated October 2026 · Data: Palmera