Everything you need to know before you buy in Dubai.

Yes — and not just buy. Foreigners can own freehold property outright in designated areas of Dubai, with the same legal title rights as UAE nationals. The title deed is issued by the Dubai Land Department directly in the buyer's name. No local partner, sponsor, or holding structure required.

Freehold zones cover most of the prime investment districts: Downtown, Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Business Bay, Dubai Hills, Creek Harbour, Emaar Beachfront, and dozens more. Roughly 80% of the city's investable inventory sits in freehold zones.

Dubai has no personal income tax, no capital gains tax, and no annual property tax. There is a one-time DLD transfer fee of 4% paid at purchase, and a small annual service charge for shared amenities. That's it.

For international investors used to paying income tax on rental yield and capital gains tax on exit, this fundamentally changes the net return on real estate.

Yes, with two tiers based on what you spend:

• AED 750,000+: 2-year renewable residency visa.
• AED 2,000,000+: 10-year UAE Golden Visa, extendable to spouse, children, and parents.

The Golden Visa is the option most international investors target. Multi-entry travel, the right to sponsor dependents, no minimum-stay requirement. Costa Global Capital handles the visa application alongside the property transaction.

Four reasons international capital has poured into Dubai since 2021:

1. Net yields European cities cannot match. 5–6.5% net here. London, Paris, Berlin, Milan deliver 2–3% net after tax.
2. Government-backed market infrastructure. Every transaction, every developer, every broker registered and trackable through DLD and RERA.
3. Tax neutrality. No income, capital gains, or wealth tax — strong appeal for HNW families relocating from tax-heavy jurisdictions.
4. Demographic tailwind. Population growth, business inflows from Russia, Europe, India, China, and a government openly targeting 20 million annual visitors.

Oqood is the Arabic word for "contracts." It is the Dubai Land Department's official registration system for off-plan sales. When you buy off-plan, your SPA must be registered on the Oqood system within 60 days. This creates a legal record of your ownership, protects you from the developer selling the same unit to another buyer, and is the document used to obtain your title deed at completion.

Never proceed with an off-plan purchase without confirming Oqood registration.

Plans vary by developer, but the typical structure is:

• Booking deposit: 5–10% on reservation.
• During construction: milestone installments, usually quarterly.
• On handover: a final payment, often 30–40%.
• Post-handover plans: 1–3 year extended plans after handover for some developers — you start earning rent while still paying.

Key advantage: capital efficiency. You preserve liquidity, you leverage the same capital across multiple deals, and you ride the appreciation curve from launch to handover.

Yes — it's called a secondary off-plan resale, or developer NOC resale. Once you have paid a certain percentage (typically 30–40%), you can apply for a No Objection Certificate from the developer and sell before handover. Many investors deliberately structure trades this way and never take physical handover. With no capital gains tax in Dubai, the full gain is yours.

The most established and consistently reliable developers in Dubai:

• Emaar Properties — the gold standard. Publicly listed, exceptional completion record.
• Aldar Properties — Abu Dhabi's premier developer, now active in Dubai.
• Nakheel — developer of Palm Jumeirah. Government-backed.
• Meraas — government-linked developer behind Bluewaters and City Walk.

For first-time buyers I strongly recommend starting with Tier 1 developers. The additional comfort of their track record is worth more than a slightly lower entry price from a less-established name.

Yes. UAE banks lend to both residents and non-residents, but the terms differ:

• UAE residents: up to 80% LTV on a first property under AED 5M.
• Non-residents: LTV typically capped at 50–60%.
• Tenor: up to 25 years.
• Debt Burden Ratio: total monthly debt cannot exceed 50% of gross monthly income.

Cash advantages: faster transactions, stronger negotiating position, no interest cost, access to off-market inventory.

Mortgage advantages: capital efficiency. Leverage amplifies returns. Dubai rates (4.49–5.25%) are competitive. A property at 6–7% gross yield financed at 4–5% creates a positive carry from day one.

DBR is the Debt Burden Ratio — the UAE Central Bank rule that caps total monthly debt repayments at 50% of gross monthly income. The single most common reason mortgage applications are declined or reduced. Calculate it before applying.

Gross yields currently range 5–9%. But net is what matters:

• Gross yield: 6–8% in well-located mid-market apartments.
• Service charges: 0.5–1.5%.
• Property management fee: 10–20% of annual rent.
• Maintenance & minor repairs: 0.5% of property value annually.
• Vacancy allowance: 4–6 weeks per year.
• Net yield (realistic): 5–6.5%.

Dubai has no personal income tax and no capital gains tax. From the UAE side, 100% of your rental income is yours to keep. If you are a tax resident elsewhere you may have reporting obligations in your home jurisdiction and should consult a local tax advisor — but from Dubai, the income is untaxed.

Dubai has a mature, professional property management industry. A reputable manager handles tenant sourcing, EJARI registration, rent collection, maintenance, annual renewals — typically for 5–10% of annual rent. We recommend trusted partners directly.

1. Property selection — identify with your advisor.
2. Negotiation — agree price and terms.
3. MOU (Form F) — both parties sign within 1–2 days. 10% deposit held in trust.
4. NOC application — seller applies to the developer.
5. Mortgage valuation — if financed.
6. Transfer appointment — both parties at the DLD Trustee Office.
7. Title deed issued — same day.

End to end: 2–4 weeks for cash buyers, 4–8 for mortgage buyers.

The MOU (Form F) is the standard sale agreement used in every Dubai transaction. Legally binding. On signing, the buyer pays a 10% security deposit. If the buyer withdraws without valid reason, they forfeit the deposit. If the seller withdraws, they must return double the deposit to the buyer.

EJARI is the official tenancy registration system managed by RERA. Every tenancy agreement must be registered — it is a legal requirement. Without EJARI, tenants cannot connect utilities or take action through the Rental Dispute Centre.

Dubai has dedicated dispute resolution bodies — the Rental Dispute Centre (landlord-tenant), the RERA Complaint System (developer disputes), and Dubai Courts (larger civil cases). Resolution is generally efficient by international standards.