Yes, foreign nationals and non-residents can buy real estate in designated freehold areas in Dubai, holding full ownership rights over the property and the land it is built on. 

Freehold property means the buyer owns the property outright and can sell, lease, or occupy it without restrictions.

Dubai offers tax-free rental income, high ROI, world-class infrastructure, and a rapidly growing economy, making it an attractive investment destination.

An off-plan property is an unconstructed or underconstruction property. The property is yet to be built or is in the preliminary stages of construction.

Yes, off-plan property investments in Dubai are protected by strict regulations set by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA). Developers must register each project with RERA and open a dedicated escrow account. All payments from buyers are deposited into this escrow account and can only be used for the construction of that specific project.

This system ensures transparency and reduces risk, helping to protect investors in the event of project delays or cancellations. To further safeguard your investment, always verify that the developer is licensed and the project is registered before signing any agreements.

Standard buying costs include:

• a 4% Dubai Land Department (DLD) registration / transfer fee,
• agency fees (typically 2% of the purchase price),
• a No Objection Certificate (NOC) fee from the developer,
• and Trustee registration fees.
• Mortgage Registration Fee: 0.25% of the loan amount (if applicable).

Yes, purchasing a property worth AED 2 million or more—whether ready or off-plan with a sufficient down payment—makes investors eligible to apply for a 10-year UAE Golden Visa.

Off-plan investments are safe in Dubai, they are heavily regulated by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA), which requires developers to deposit buyer payments into dedicated, government-monitored escrow accounts until construction progresses.

Yes, It is possible to obtain a mortgage to finance your off-plan property purchase, depending upon the developer – bank guidelines and subject to meeting the individual requirements of the financial institutions.

DLD is the abbreviation for Dubai Land Department. It is the regulatory body by the government that deals with all property and real estate related legislation, organisation, and services for any real estate transactions in Dubai.

You select a property, sign the tenancy agreement, pay the security deposit and agency fee, and register the tenancy with Ejari.

Yes, purchasing property can qualify buyers for a UAE residency visa, with the type and duration depending on the investment amount.

• Investor Visa (2 years): For properties valued at a minimum of AED 750,000.
• Green Visa (5 years): For properties valued at a minimum of AED 2 million, with specific holding requirements.
• Golden Visa (10 years): For properties valued at a minimum of AED 2 million.

Freehold grants full ownership of both the property and the land indefinitely, with the right to sell, lease, or occupy the property without restrictions.

Leasehold grants the right to use the property for a specific period (typically up to 99 years), but the land is not owned.

 No, Dubai does not charge annual property taxes, capital gains tax, or personal income tax on rental yields.

Residential property sales are generally exempt or zero-rated for VAT, so you typically don’t pay 5% VAT on a home purchase. VAT at 5% does apply to certain services, such as agency commission. We’ll show exactly where VAT applies in your cost breakdown.

No, it is not mandatory to have a UAE bank account. You can make payments from international accounts, though setting up a local account is advisable for managing future expenses like service charges or rental income, especially if you plan to hold the property long term.

This is becoming a more common question to ask when buying investment property, especially in a tech-forward country like the UAE. While this option is gaining momentum, buying property with cryptocurrency is not yet mainstream. Regulatory frameworks are still evolving, and most property transactions are conducted in AED (dirhams).

However, a few developers and startups are exploring blockchain and crypto-based solutions. If you’re interested in this route, consult an experienced real estate broker and stay informed about the latest regulations to ensure your investment is secure.

Yes, it can be.

If you’re planning to list the property on Airbnb or other platforms, check whether the building or community allows short-term rentals and what licensing is required. Rules can vary by development.

The real estate escrow account is a bank account of a real estate project in which the amounts collected from purchasers for the units sold off the plan (on the map) or from the financiers of the project are deposited.

 The escrow account aims to regulate the building and construction processes of the units sold on the map guaranteeing investors’ rights. The provisions of the law apply to the developers (all real estate developers in Dubai, without exception), who will sell real estates on the map of the projects in the Emirate of Dubai and, in return, receive payments from the purchasers or financiers.