Property investment in UAE
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Buy Property in Dubai as a Foreigner

Available Crypto Friendly Middle East
Formation Time
3-4 weeks
Corporate Tax
9%
Foreign Ownership
100% Allowed
Remote Setup
In-person

Buy Property in Dubai as a Foreigner

Dubai is one of the few global cities where foreigners can own freehold property outright, with no annual property tax and no tax on rental income or capital gains. Buy in a designated freehold zone and the title is yours; cross the AED 2M threshold and you also qualify for a 10-year Golden Visa.

Projects

Projects in UAE

Every project includes an incorporation pathway with the recommended Dubai Free Zone LLC structure.

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How it works

How buying property in Dubai works

  1. 1

    Pick the zone and unit

    Shortlist freehold-zone projects that match your budget and goal (capital growth, yield, or Golden Visa eligibility). We introduce you to vetted developers and agencies, buyer-side, at the developer's list price.

  2. 2

    Reserve and sign the SPA

    Pay a reservation deposit (typically 5-10%) and sign the Sales & Purchase Agreement. Off-plan purchases follow a milestone payment plan held with the developer's escrow.

  3. 3

    Decide how to hold it

    Buy in your personal name, or set up a Dubai Free Zone company first if you want a corporate holding vehicle. Free Zone formation takes 2-3 business days.

  4. 4

    Transfer at the DLD

    The Dubai Land Department registers the transfer and issues the title deed. The 4% DLD fee is paid here. A registration trustee office handles the appointment.

  5. 5

    Get your Golden Visa (optional)

    Property worth AED 2M+ (about $545K) qualifies the owner for a 10-year renewable Golden Visa. We can run this in parallel once the title deed is issued.

Legal

Ownership rules for foreigners

Foreigners can own freehold property in designated areas across Dubai and Abu Dhabi (Downtown, Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Business Bay and many others). No company is required to hold a freehold unit in your personal name. Holding through a Free Zone company is optional, but it adds privacy, simpler succession, and a clean vehicle for multiple units. Property outside designated freehold zones requires a UAE mainland company.

Dubai Free Zone LLC recommended 100% Foreign Ownership Crypto Friendly
About this market

Country fundamentals

Tax rates

9%
Corporate
0%
Personal
0-15%
Dividend

Banking

Business

Strong banking center

Personal

Usually requires residence visa

Ownership structure

Since 2021, local partner requirement abolished - foreigners can own 100% of Mainland companies in most sectors (except strategic like oil/gas, transport). Free zones always had 100%. Mainland still needs local service agent (UAE citizen) for some business types (legal services, medicine etc.) but no ownership share.

Taxes & costs

What buying actually costs

The taxes and fees on a Dubai purchase, beyond the property price itself.

DLD transfer fee
One-off, paid at the Dubai Land Department on transfer
4% of price
Agency fee
Standard buyer-side commission
~2% of price
Registration trustee
Fixed admin fee at transfer
~AED 4,000
Annual property tax
Dubai levies no recurring property tax
None
Tax on rent / capital gains
No personal income or capital gains tax in the UAE
0%

Indicative figures for guidance only, not tax advice. We confirm exact costs for your purchase before you commit.

Formation

What you'll need

Pricing, paperwork, and what's bundled into the Dubai Free Zone LLC setup.

Dubai Free Zone LLC services & pricing

All-inclusive pricing — every price is final and covers government registration fees, agent fees, and all associated service charges. No hidden costs.

Mainland incorporation (UAE ID included) $10,000 one-time
UAE Golden Visa $5,000 one-time
Accounting $250 /month
Free Zone (UAE ID included) $4,650 one-time
Dubai VARA Crypto License $32,000 one-time
Residence Visa (Emirates ID) $3,000 one-time

Documents required

Personal Documents

  • Passport Copy
  • Passport-size Photos
UAE FAQ

Investment questions

Common questions about investing in UAE real estate and the Dubai Free Zone LLC pathway.

Do I need a UAE company to buy property?

Not in a designated freehold zone, you can buy in your personal name. A Free Zone company is optional and mainly helps with privacy, succession, and holding multiple units. Property outside freehold zones does require a UAE mainland company.

How much property do I need for a Golden Visa?

AED 2 million (approximately $545,000) in property qualifies the owner for a 10-year renewable Golden Visa. Off-plan and mortgaged properties can qualify subject to current rules.

Is there any property or rental tax in Dubai?

No. There is no annual property tax, no tax on rental income, and no capital gains tax for individuals. A one-off 4% DLD transfer fee applies at purchase.

Can I buy off-plan safely?

Yes. Off-plan payments go into a RERA-regulated escrow account tied to construction milestones, so funds are released to the developer as the project progresses.

Can I rent it out short-term?

Yes. Dubai has a deep rental market. Short-term (holiday home / Airbnb) letting requires a DTCM holiday-home permit, which we can arrange.

Ready to invest in UAE?

Get a free introduction to vetted developers and start your Dubai Free Zone LLC formation.

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