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RERA-licensed · ORN 15673 · Multilingual team

Buying Property in Dubai

Find the right Dubai property for your budget and buy with confidence: a licensed, professional team with you from advice and selection to title transfer and residency.

Reviewed by Dr. Sina Ghaderi, AKT founder, RERA ORN 15673 · Updated: 27 July 2026

Buying in Dubai: key facts for foreign buyers

from AED 400,000
2-year renewable residency
from AED 2,000 / month
installment plans, no bank loan
UAE Golden Visa
10-year renewable residency
01New April 2026 rule: a property from about AED 400,000 (~USD 109,000) is enough for a renewable 2-year residency.
02Joint purchase, two families: if two buyers buy an AED 800,000 property together, both — with their families — qualify for residency.
03Installments, no bank loan: about 10% down and, on selected projects, from about AED 2,000/month, even beyond handover.
04Prices by area: from about AED 400,000 in budget areas up to AED 3M+ in luxury; the full table is on this page.
05Annual returns: gross rental yield is typically 5–8% a year (an estimate based on current market data), with zero annual property tax.
06100% title in your own name in freehold areas, overseen by the Dubai Land Department and handled through escrow.

Buy your dream Dubai home with no commission to pay

Dubai property price list (starting price by area)

The table shows approximate starting prices by area in AED and USD. The exact price of any property depends on size, developer and location.

Conversion basis: about AED 3.67 per USD (approximate).

Prices updated: July 2026

AreaFrom (AED)Approx (USD)
International City (budget)400,000≈ ≈ 109,000 USD
Arjan (budget)480,000≈ ≈ 131,000 USD
Dubai Silicon Oasis (economy)550,000≈ ≈ 150,000 USD
JVC (economy)550,000≈ ≈ 150,000 USD
Sports City (economy)600,000≈ ≈ 163,000 USD
DAMAC Hills (economy)600,000≈ ≈ 163,000 USD
Business Bay (luxury)850,000≈ ≈ 231,000 USD
Al Barsha (luxury)1,000,000≈ ≈ 272,000 USD
Dubai Hills Estate (luxury)1,110,000≈ ≈ 302,000 USD
Downtown (luxury)1,200,000≈ ≈ 327,000 USD
Palm Jumeirah (luxury)3,300,000≈ ≈ 899,000 USD

The Dubai property market in numbers, June 2026

These are median transacted prices, not asking prices. A median is not an entry price: the entry price shows the cheapest unit in an area, the median shows the midpoint of every deal that month. Both are correct and they answer different questions.

74.9%

Off-plan share of Dubai residential sales

25.1%

Ready and secondary share

10 of 12

Areas that softened month on month

Source: Property Monitor and Dubai Land Department (DLD), June 2026.
AreaMedian price (AED)Month on month
International City424,987−0.90%
Discovery Gardens702,069−0.12%
Dubai Sports City (apartments)852,790+2.25%
Jumeirah Village Circle (apartments)1,257,616−1.35%
Jumeirah Lakes Towers1,781,860−0.87%
Dubai Marina2,341,453−2.45%
Business Bay2,386,397−0.70%
Downtown Dubai2,641,459−1.82%
Dubai Creek Harbour2,795,873−0.82%
City Walk5,102,520+0.28%
Palm Jumeirah (apartments)5,523,236−3.74%
Dubai Hills Estate (villas)6,951,323−3.24%

Ten of twelve areas softened this month, and Dubai Sports City led the gainers at 2.25%.

One month is not a trend: what matters for a purchase decision is the multi-month direction and the quality of the specific project.

Three quarters of Dubai residential deals are off-plan, which is why the payment-plan table below matters as much as the price table above.

Price per square foot across Dubai communities

A headline price is tied to floor area, so comparing two communities on total price tells you very little when the sizes differ.

Price per square foot fixes that.

Villas and townhouses

CommunityMedian price (AED)Per sqft (AED)Month on month
Palm Jumeirah – Garden Homes48,148,1368,406+5.49%
Jumeirah Bay Island30,482,2554,6250.00%
The Meadows13,593,0013,329−0.12%
Dubai Hills Estate6,951,3232,632−3.24%
Arabian Ranches6,314,8142,277−0.43%
The Springs4,901,9572,279+0.48%

Apartments

Source: Property Monitor and Dubai Land Department (DLD), June 2026.
CommunityMedian price (AED)Per sqft (AED)Month on month
Jumeirah Bay Island24,264,7569,606−2.34%
City Walk5,102,5203,330+0.28%
Dubai Harbour4,271,8515,242−1.27%
Dubai Hills Estate3,308,8002,695−1.89%
DIFC3,126,5632,641−2.90%
Jumeirah Beach Residence2,653,0722,156−4.21%

The figure that stands out in these tables is that an apartment can cost more per square foot than a villa: Jumeirah Bay Island runs AED 9,606 per sqft on apartments and AED 4,625 on villas, because a villa carries land and floor area, and part of its price is space rather than location.

If you are buying to let, a lower price per square foot usually reaches a better yield, because rent responds more to location and building quality than to raw floor area.

Which communities trade the most

Transaction volume is what decides how easily the property sells later.

A community registering hundreds of deals a month has buyers waiting, while one registering a handful may hold an excellent property and still leave you sitting behind a listing for months.

Source: Property Monitor and Dubai Land Department (DLD), June 2026.
CommunityMonthly volumeRegistration type
Dubai South2,689 apartmentsOqood (off-plan)
Jumeirah Village Circle331 apartmentsTitle deed (ready)
Business BayHigh off-plan volumeOqood (off-plan)

Dubai South led the month with 2,689 apartment sales, almost all through Oqood registration, meaning off-plan. Jumeirah Village Circle was the most active ready market with 331 title-deed transfers.

The difference between those two numbers matters.

Oqood registers an off-plan contract and a title deed transfers a completed property, so a community where nearly every deal is Oqood does not yet have a resale market — you find out its real price on handover day, not today.

Biggest price and rent movers last month

These tables show the communities that moved most in a single month, in both sale price and rent.

A one-month gain is a weak signal and no reason to buy on its own, but when the same community repeats across several months it says something about real demand that a city average hides.

Largest sale-price gains

CommunityTypeMonth on month
Jumeirah HeightsApartment+6.60%
Dubai Water CanalApartment+5.78%
Jumeirah Village TriangleVilla+5.76%

Largest rent gains

Source: Property Monitor and Dubai Land Department (DLD), June 2026.
CommunityTypeMonth on month
Dubai Silicon OasisVilla+3.77%
Al KifafApartment+2.92%
MirdifApartment+2.55%
Al BarshaVilla+1.21%
Motor CityVilla+1.06%

Rent moves more slowly than price, which makes it the more reliable of the two: a rent rise means real occupier demand has grown, whereas a price rise sometimes just reflects one expensive new launch in the same community.

Average annual rent by Dubai community

If you are buying to let, the number that decides the outcome is what the community actually rents for.

Source: Property Monitor and Dubai Land Department (DLD), June 2026.
CommunityTypeAverage annual rent (AED)
Dubai MarinaApartment197,447
Downtown DubaiApartment211,618
Palm JumeirahApartment519,175
Jumeirah Golf EstatesVilla734,725
Jumeirah Bay IslandApartment1,225,742
Palm Jumeirah – Garden HomesVilla1,530,350
Al BarariVilla1,555,943
Jumeirah Bay IslandVilla2,164,023

How gross yield is calculated

Gross yield is one year of rent divided by the price of the property. It can only be calculated where price and rent cover the same property type; pairing an all-types median with an apartment rent produces a figure that looks authoritative and is not.

CommunityTypeGross annual yield
Palm JumeirahApartment9.4%
Jumeirah Bay IslandVilla7.1%
Jumeirah Bay IslandApartment5.1%
Palm Jumeirah – Garden HomesVilla3.2%

Net yield sits below these figures, because annual service charges and vacancy come out of them.

A more expensive community does not automatically yield better: Palm Jumeirah returns close to 9% on apartments and close to 3% on Garden Homes villas.

Annual property tax and rental income tax are zero for individuals, so these figures are the same before and after tax.

Off-plan or ready: which one fits

Most first-time Dubai buyers find this the hardest single choice, because both options have their own logic and neither is right for every buyer.

Off-plan asks for less money up front and makes you wait until handover.

A ready property earns rent from the first week and costs its full price today.

CriterionOff-planReady property
PaymentInstalments during constructionCash or mortgage
First registrationOqoodTitle deed
Rental incomeAfter handoverFrom the first month
Agency commissionPaid by the developer2% plus VAT
The thing to checkThe developer’s delivery recordToday’s market price

If you want rental income in the short term, a ready property answers that. If the budget is tight and you can wait two or three years, off-plan instalments are the route that makes you an owner without a bank loan.

Annual service charges and running costs

The service charge is the one cost that repeats every year after the purchase, and it is the figure most often left out of a yield calculation.

It is set from your unit’s square footage and the building’s annual budget, so two identically sized units in neighbouring towers can carry very different charges.

Towers with a pool, a gym, a large lobby and 24-hour security cost more to run, and those same services are what lift their rents — so a high service charge is not automatically bad news, provided you know the number before you buy.

The Dubai Land Department publishes a service charge index, and the approved rate for any building can be checked there. Get the figure before signing and subtract it from the annual rent to see the real yield.

Selling and exiting the investment

Buying is half the decision; the other half is that one day you will want to sell.

Selling is as open to a foreign owner as buying: there is no nationality restriction, capital gains tax is zero for individuals, and sale proceeds can be moved out of the UAE.

Selling costs are typically the 2% agency commission plus VAT and the NOC fee, and where the property carries a mortgage it is settled before the title transfers.

What sets the speed of a sale is the community, not the property.

Where hundreds of deals register monthly there is always a next buyer. In a community that has only just been built and has no resale market yet, it can take months, and you may have to price below the market to close at all.

Letting the property after you buy

Most overseas buyers are not buying to live in the property full time, so the question that comes straight after the title transfer is how a tenancy is run from abroad.

The short answer is that you do not need to be in Dubai.

A Dubai tenancy contract has to be registered on Ejari, and without that registration a tenant cannot put the utilities in their own name; registering it is normally handled by the owner or the managing agent.

Rent is agreed annually and paid by cheque, usually one to four cheques for the year. The fewer the cheques, the lower the rent tends to be agreed, because the owner receives the money sooner.

Property management companies take on the whole cycle: finding the tenant, registering Ejari, handing over the unit, handling repairs and banking the cheques. Their fee is normally a percentage of the annual rent, and for an owner living outside the UAE it almost always works out better than self-managing.

The split of costs between owner and tenant is clearly defined, and the table below summarises it.

CostPaid by
Annual building service chargeOwner
Major repairs and building systemsOwner
Ejari registrationOwner or managing agent
Utilities (DEWA)Tenant
Municipality housing feeTenant
Minor day-to-day repairsAs set out in the tenancy contract

A rent increase on renewal is not open-ended: the ceiling is set by the RERA rental index, and the owner must give the tenant at least 90 days’ written notice before the contract ends of any change to the terms.

That rule is what makes the Dubai rental market predictable for an owner. You know the ceiling you can raise to next year, and the tenant knows what to expect.

The RERA rental index and rent-increase caps

Key terms in a Dubai property purchase

Contracts and correspondence are full of terms that appear in their original form throughout the paperwork.

The table below covers the ones that show up in every buyer’s file.

TermMeaning
FreeholdFull, permanent ownership of land and building in the foreign buyer’s name
LeaseholdA right of use for a fixed period, usually up to 99 years
OqoodThe Dubai Land Department system that registers off-plan contracts
Title DeedThe ownership document for a completed property, in the buyer’s name
Form F / MOUThe standard contract between buyer and seller before transfer
NOCNo Objection Certificate from the developer or building management, required to transfer
Escrow accountThe supervised account that holds a project’s payments
TrusteeThe official office where the title transfer is registered
EjariOfficial registration of a tenancy contract in Dubai
DLDDubai Land Department, the registry for every property transaction
RERAThe Dubai real estate regulator, part of the DLD
ORNAn agency’s official registration number; AKT’s is 15673

Which property type suits which buyer

Property type is chosen before community, because that single decision shapes both your budget and your future resale market.

TypeSuitsResale market depthRental yield
StudioLow-cost entry, rental investmentLimited to investorsUsually the highest
ApartmentLiving and investmentThe widestBalanced
TownhouseSmaller family, mid budgetGood in family communitiesBalanced
VillaFamily living, long holdNarrower, slower to sellLower
PenthouseLuxury buyer, scarce assetNarrowLower

A studio is the cheapest way in and usually holds a higher rental yield than larger units, because its rent-to-price ratio is greater. The trade-off is that the next buyer of a studio is almost always an investor rather than a family, which narrows the resale pool.

An apartment is the common balance between entry price and market depth.

A townhouse suits a family that wants a garden without a villa budget, while villas and penthouses have a narrower market and a longer time to sell — in exchange they are scarce, and they climb further than the rest during growth periods.

What can your budget buy in Dubai?

  • Budget homes: from about USD 109,000 (International City, Arjan).
  • Economy homes: about USD 150,000–163,000 (JVC, Silicon Oasis, Sports City).
  • Luxury homes: from about USD 231,000 up to USD 899,000+ (Business Bay, Downtown, Palm Jumeirah).

Figures are approximate and exclude the annual service charge; ask an AKT advisor for the exact price of any property.

What affects property prices in Dubai?

A property’s price in Dubai depends on a few key factors:

  • Area and location: proximity to the sea, metro, malls and attractions raises the price.
  • Developer and build quality: established brands like Emaar hold their value better.
  • Project stage: off-plan usually has a lower entry price than ready property.
  • Size, floor and view: units with open views and higher floors cost more.
  • Community amenities: pool, gym, security and management services affect the price.
  • Current supply and demand in each area.

With recent developments, can foreigners still buy in Dubai and get residency?

Foreign nationals can obtain UAE residency by buying property in Dubai, with no restriction on buying or getting residency. In freehold areas the title is in your name and you own 100%. The detail most sites miss: under the DLD’s April 2026 rule, a property from around AED 400,000 qualifies you for the renewable 2-year residency; on joint purchases each share must be at least AED 400,000, and from AED 2M you qualify for the 10-year Golden Visa.

RESIDENCY & GOLDEN VISA

To get Dubai residency and the Golden Visa through property, leave your details

New rule — April 2026

A renewable 2-year Dubai residency from around AED 400,000

From April 2026 the Dubai Land Department eased the old AED 750,000 requirement: a property from around AED 400,000 qualifies you for the renewable 2-year residency. On a joint purchase each co-owner’s share counts — an AED 800,000 property qualifies two buyers and their families. AKT, a licensed agency, confirms each case’s eligibility for free.

↗ Source: Dubai Land Department, investor visa service (Taskeen)

Full Legal Ownership

In freehold areas the title deed is in your name — no residency or local partner required.

Residency Through Property

A renewable 2-year residency from around AED 400,000, and the 10-year Golden Visa from AED 2M.

0% Tax

No annual property tax, income tax or capital gains tax for individuals.

Installment Plans

Start with about 10% and pay monthly, on some projects even beyond handover, from 1% per month.

Can foreigners buy property in Dubai?

Yes. You do not need to be a UAE resident and you do not need a local partner. Foreign nationals have full ownership rights in designated "freehold" areas — the title is registered in your name with full rights to sell, lease or transfer it. An AKT advisor confirms a property’s freehold status before you buy.

Most of Dubai’s popular areas are freehold:

DowntownDubai MarinaPalm JumeirahCreek HarbourBusiness BayDubai HillsJVC

Dubai property market forecast for 2026

Dubai’s market has grown steadily in recent years, with a positive outlook for 2026. Keep these in mind:

  • Demand from foreign buyers, especially across the Middle East and Asia, keeps rising.
  • New Emaar, DAMAC and Sobha launches widen supply, with more installment plans available.
  • Dubai’s population and tourism growth keep rental demand high in key areas.
  • Exact price-growth figures cannot be guaranteed; decide on current data and your own goal. AKT shares an up-to-date area analysis for free.

Source: Official transaction data from the Dubai Land Department (DLD)

Buy your ideal Dubai home on monthly installments

Dubai property law updates in 2026

A few current points worth knowing:

  • The residency-through-property path remains open and legal for foreign nationals.
  • From April 2026 the DLD eased the old AED 750,000 requirement; the 2-year residency path opens from a property around AED 400,000.
  • On joint purchases, each co-owner’s share must be at least AED 400,000 to qualify.
  • Since February 2026 the 10-year Golden Visa no longer requires AED 1M paid upfront; the title deed or Oqood value is what counts.
  • Dependents of a property-residency holder can now work in the UAE under new rules.
  • All transactions are still registered with the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and handled through escrow.
  • Exact case conditions can change; an AKT advisor checks the latest status for free.

Key considerations before buying in Dubai

For a sound decision, it helps to know these too:

  • Budget for the closing costs (about 5% on off-plan and 7–8% on a ready property) and the annual service charge.
  • For off-plan, check the developer’s track record and handover date before signing.
  • Rental yield depends on the area and how the property is managed; it is not a fixed number.
  • For a safe transfer, work through the official Dubai Land Department (DLD) and escrow.
  • Before buying, confirm the freehold status and title with a RERA-licensed advisor.

AKT reviews all of this with you transparently before you buy, so you can decide with confidence.

Property types to buy in Dubai

Apartment

The most in-demand option for investment and rental; from studios to multi-bed.

Villa

Ideal for family living in quiet communities with full amenities.

Townhouse

Attached homes with private yard and entrance; balance of price and space.

Penthouse

A luxury option with open views and large floor area for premium buyers.

Studio

Low-cost entry to the market with high rental demand and good yield.

How to buy property in Dubai, step by step

01

Set a budget & choose

Define your budget and goal (living or investment); your AKT advisor shortlists suitable options.

02

Agree & contract

Agree the price and sign the contract form (MOU / Form F).

03

Pay the deposit

Typically a 10% deposit is paid.

04

No Objection Certificate (NOC)

Obtained from the developer or building management.

05

Title transfer

At the Dubai Land Department (DLD) or a trustee office the title is registered in your name.

For ready properties this usually takes 2–4 weeks, and 30–60 days with a mortgage or off-plan. AKT manages all the paperwork for you.

How long buying property in Dubai takes

Timing depends on the property type and how you pay, not on the buyer’s nationality.

Every foreign buyer follows the same route, with the same documents and the same deadlines.

Purchase typeTo title transferNote
Ready property, cash2 to 4 weeksTransfer at the DLD or a trustee office
Ready property, mortgage30 to 60 daysBank approval time is added to this window
Off-planBooked same dayTitle registers at project handover

What actually takes the longest is arranging and moving the funds rather than the paperwork, and if the transfer route is settled before you start, the rest runs inside the windows in the table.

EXPERT ADVICE

For expert advice on buying property in Dubai, leave your details

Closing costs of buying property in Dubai

On off-plan — which is most of our purchases — the main side cost is only about 5%: the developer pays our commission, so the buyer pays none. On a ready property with a 2% commission the total comes to about 7–8%:

CostAmount
DLD registration & transfer fee4% of property value
Agency commission on off-planNone for you — the developer pays our commission
Agency commission on ready property2% + VAT
Registration / trustee feeapprox. AED 4,000–5,000
Title deed issuanceapprox. AED 520–580
Mortgage registration (if financing)0.25% of loan + AED 290
NOCAED 500–5,000 (depends on developer)

In Dubai there is no annual property tax, income tax or capital gains tax for individuals. What your property earns stays yours.

Installments & off-plan

You don’t need the full amount up front. On off-plan projects, typically:

  • about 10% on reservation,
  • the balance during construction in installments — as low as 1% per month on some projects,
  • and a portion on handover.

This way you own the property without a bank loan. If you want a ready property to live in or rent immediately, "ready" options are also available.

Common off-plan payment structures

Every developer sets its own schedule, but most Dubai off-plan projects sit on one of four patterns:

StructureDuring constructionOn handoverPost-handover
20 / 8020%80%Settled at handover
40 / 6040%60%Settled at handover
60 / 4060%40%Settled at handover
Post-handover planaround 50%around 10%balance over 2–5 years, typically 1% monthly

The booking deposit is usually 10–20% and counts towards the construction-stage share.

A post-handover plan suits a buyer who wants the rent to cover part of the instalments.

We send you the exact schedule for a specific project before anything is signed.

Ways to invest through property

Off-plan

Lower entry price, flexible payment plan and capital-growth potential by completion. Best for maximizing returns.

Ready property

Immediate ownership and income, viewing before purchase, and lower delay risk.

Secondary (resale)

Immediate handover, market-based pricing, and a chance to inspect the property before buying.

Dubai residency through property (Golden Visa)

Under the Dubai Land Department’s April 2026 rules:

Ownership thresholdResidency granted
from ~AED 400,000renewable 2-year residency
Joint purchase — each share from AED 400,000renewable 2-year residency for each co-owner
from AED 2,000,00010-year family Golden Visa

It is renewable and can cover your spouse and children. For example, if two buyers purchase an AED 800,000 property together, each share is AED 400,000 and both of them, with their families, can qualify. For mortgaged or installment properties a bank/developer NOC is required, and on completed properties at least half the price or AED 375,000 must be paid. AKT, a licensed agency, confirms your case’s exact eligibility for free.

Types of property ownership in Dubai

Freehold

Full, permanent ownership for foreigners; can be sold, leased and inherited. All AKT-recommended projects are freehold.

Leasehold

Time-bound ownership (up to 99 years); the underlying land stays with the freeholder.

Local

Reserved for UAE and GCC citizens; not available to foreign nationals.

Free consultation to buy property in Dubai

Documents required to buy property in Dubai

  • Buyer’s passport (original and copy)
  • Proof of funds and bank statements
  • Forms A and B in the Dubai REST app
  • NOC arranged via the developer
  • Signed sale contract between seller and buyer
  • Three passport-size photos

Best areas to buy in Dubai (with indicative yield)

Downtown Dubai

ROI 5–7%

Near Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall; strong value.

Dubai Marina

ROI 5–7%

Waterfront living, strong rental demand.

JVC

ROI 6–9%

Affordable homes with good yield.

Business Bay

ROI 6–8%

Near business hubs, steady growth.

Palm Jumeirah

ROI 5–8%

Luxury beachfront villas and apartments.

Dubai Hills

ROI 4–7%

Villas and family living, green spaces.

Yield figures are estimates dependent on the property and market, not guarantees.

Can foreigners get a mortgage in Dubai?

Yes, under certain conditions. Typically an active company with cash flow, or a monthly salary above AED 10,000, enables a mortgage. Exact terms depend on your finances and the bank’s policy; an AKT advisor reviews the options with you.

AWARD-WINNING EMAAR TEAM

Choose the right property with an Emaar Top-15 team

Award-Winning
Real Estate Brokerage
50+
Billion AED Deals
70+
Sales Agents
15+
Years of Experience
590+
Sales Per Year
Recognitions

AKT Real Estate Awards & Recognitions

The AKT Real Estate team at the Emaar Broker Awards 2025
GOLD
Top 15
Emaar top sellers among all companies

AKT Real Estate

2025
2025 Award

AKT among Emaar’s Top-15 sellers out of 9,000+ Dubai brokerages

We’re proud to have been named one of Emaar’s Top-15 sellers in 2025 among 9,000+ active Dubai brokerages — a result of client trust and our team’s work.

Al Habtoor Developer Award

Al Habtoor Developer Award

Amaal Developer Award

Amaal Developer Award

Danube Developer Award (Diamondz)

Danube Developer Award (Diamondz)

Danube Developer Award (Shahrukhz)

Danube Developer Award (Shahrukhz)

Emaar Developer Award 2022

Emaar Developer Award 2022

Emaar Developer Award 2025

Emaar Developer Award 2025

Mira Developer Award

Mira Developer Award

Samana Developer Award

Samana Developer Award

Sobha Developer Award

Sobha Developer Award

Trusted Dubai developers

AKT works with Dubai’s most reputable developers. AKT’s founder, Dr. Sina Ghaderi, was an Emaar Top-15 Seller in 2025.

Emaar

Builder of Burj Khalifa and Downtown; one of the world’s most valuable developers.

DAMAC

Over 20 years in luxury projects across Dubai and globally.

Nakheel

Builder of Palm Jumeirah and landmark waterfront projects.

Meraas

Urban and lifestyle projects in key Dubai areas.

Binghatti

Modern, high-volume projects with on-time delivery.

Danube

Over 30 years of experience and flexible payment plans.

Buying a home in Dubai, made easy and secure with AKT

  • Full support from the first call to the title deed and your residency file
  • A property matched to your budget and goal, with clear prices in USD and AED
  • A free price and yield report for your chosen area, before you decide
  • In-person or online viewings, plus legal and contract work in your language
  • Step-by-step handling of your 2-year residency and Golden Visa file
  • An introduction to rental management after purchase, so you can earn income
  • RERA-licensed (ORN 15673); founded by Dr. Sina Ghaderi, an Emaar Top-15 Seller in 2025
  • Transparent dealing overseen by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and through escrow, with an office in Bay Square, Business Bay

Your consultation and case review are free and you decide at your own pace; we recommend the property that is genuinely right for you and stay with you until you reach the right choice.

Our team

Our Team

AKT licensed advisors, ready to guide you at every step

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Talk to an AKT expert advisor now

The mistakes buyers repeat most often

These come from our own files rather than a generic checklist.

  1. Trusting the asking priceA listing is the seller’s asking price, and the median of registered transactions usually sits below it. Look at what the same tower actually sold for before you make an offer.
  2. Forgetting the annual service chargeIn premium communities it is charged per square foot and can absorb a visible share of a year’s rent, so get the figure from building management before you buy.
  3. Choosing a developer from the renderA render says nothing about the handover date. The same developer’s delivery record on previous projects does.
  4. Buying where there is no resale marketWhen nearly every deal in a community is off-plan, selling to the next buyer before handover is not straightforward.
  5. Leaving transaction costs out of the budgetThe 4% DLD registration and the trustee fees land on the final figure and move your real ceiling.
  6. Signing without reading the payment scheduleTwo projects at the same price can carry completely different schedules, and that difference is what sets your cash-flow pressure for the next three years.

Frequently asked questions about buying property in Dubai

Can foreign nationals buy property in Dubai and get residency?+
Yes. Buying property in Dubai is open and legal for foreign nationals, and the path to residency through property is open. Under the DLD’s April 2026 rule, a property from around AED 400,000 can qualify you for the renewable 2-year residency.
What is the minimum cost to buy in Dubai?+
Entry prices start around AED 400,000 and depend on size, type, area and developer; around that same amount also opens the 2-year residency path under the 2026 rule.
Do I need residency to buy property in Dubai?+
No. Foreign nationals can buy in Dubai’s freehold areas without residency, with the title in their own name.
What property value do I need for residency?+
Under the DLD’s April 2026 rule a property from around AED 400,000 qualifies you for the renewable 2-year residency. On joint purchases each share must be at least AED 400,000, and from AED 2M you qualify for the 10-year family Golden Visa. AKT confirms your case for free.
How much are the closing costs?+
On off-plan — most of our purchases — about 5%: the 4% DLD fee plus registration and title fees, with the developer paying our commission so the buyer pays none. On a ready property with a 2% commission the total is about 7–8%.
Is 100% ownership in the buyer’s name?+
Yes. In freehold areas full, permanent ownership is registered to the foreign buyer and can be sold, leased or inherited.
Off-plan or ready property — which is better?+
It depends on your goal. Off-plan has installment plans and a lower entry price; ready property can be used or rented from day one.
Is renting out property in Dubai a good income?+
Gross rental yield is typically 5–8% (an estimate, not a guarantee), and since there’s no tax on property income, the net stays with you.
Can foreigners get a mortgage?+
Yes — with an active company or a monthly salary above AED 10,000, and subject to the bank’s policy.
How do I make sure the transaction is safe?+
Transfers are overseen by the DLD and handled through secure escrow; AKT, as a RERA-licensed agency, keeps every step transparent.
Can I buy from abroad?+
Yes — many of our buyers are international, purchasing from outside the UAE. An AKT advisor clarifies the steps and payment options.
Can the property be inherited?+
Yes, freehold property can be transferred to heirs.
Does property residency allow working?+
Under current rules, dependents of a property-residency holder can work in the UAE.
What is the price of a house in Dubai in US dollars?+
Entry prices start around USD 109,000 (about AED 400,000) and rise by area, size and developer. A full price table in dollars and dirhams is on this page.
What does an average home in Dubai cost?+
A typical apartment in economical areas like JVC or Silicon Oasis starts around AED 550,000; in luxury areas like Downtown and Palm Jumeirah prices are much higher.
How much are Dubai’s most expensive homes?+
Luxury villas and penthouses in Palm Jumeirah, Emirates Hills and Jumeirah Bay can range from tens of millions to over one hundred million dirhams.
How much have Dubai property prices risen recently?+
Dubai’s market has grown notably in recent years, but the exact percentage depends on the area and property type and is not guaranteed for the future. AKT reviews up-to-date area data for free.
What is the DUBAI REST app?+
Dubai REST is the official Dubai Land Department app; with it you can officially verify the title deed, transaction status and ownership details — a useful tool for confirming a transaction.
Is there an age limit to buy property in Dubai?+
The buyer must be over 18; there is no upper age limit, so anyone above 18 can buy.
Do I need a lawyer to buy property in Dubai?+
It is not required. Everything is handled through the Dubai Land Department and official trustee offices, and a RERA-licensed advisor like AKT manages the whole process for you.
What is Dubai’s new 2026 property residency rule?+
From April 2026 the Dubai Land Department eased the old AED 750,000 requirement: a property from around AED 400,000 qualifies for the renewable 2-year residency, and on joint purchases each co-owner’s share must be at least AED 400,000. The official source is the DLD’s Taskeen investor-visa service; AKT reviews your case under this rule for free.
Can joint buyers get residency through one property?+
Yes. In a joint purchase each buyer’s share counts: if two buyers purchase an AED 800,000 property together, each share is AED 400,000 and both of them, with their families, can qualify for the renewable 2-year residency. AKT reviews joint cases for free.
Can the Golden Visa cover my family?+
Yes, the 10-year Golden Visa can also cover your spouse and children, and it is renewable.
What is the annual service charge in Dubai and who pays it?+
The owner pays it, not the tenant. It is set from the unit’s square footage and the building’s annual budget, so towers with a pool, a gym and 24-hour security cost more to run and charge more. The approved rate for any building can be checked against the Dubai Land Department service charge index, and it is worth getting that figure before signing.
How do I calculate rental yield?+
Gross yield is one year of rent against the price you paid. For net yield, subtract the annual service charge and any months the property sits empty. Price and rent must both refer to the same property type, otherwise you get a figure that looks right and misleads you.
How long does selling a property in Dubai take, and what does it cost?+
There is no restriction on a foreign owner selling, and capital gains tax is zero for individuals. Selling costs are usually the 2% agency commission plus VAT and the NOC fee. How long it takes depends on the community more than the property: where hundreds of deals register monthly, there is always a next buyer.
What does price per square foot mean and why does it matter?+
Price per square foot is the total price divided by floor area, and it is the only way to compare two properties of different sizes, because a total price on its own only tells you which one is bigger. In June 2026 Jumeirah Bay Island ran AED 9,606 per sqft on apartments and AED 4,625 on villas. If you are buying to let, a lower price per square foot usually reaches a better yield.

Official sources

Every figure on this page that rests on a rule or an official fee comes from these sources. Each one is labelled with the claim it verifies.

The prices and costs on this page come from transactions the AKT team has itself registered at the Dubai Land Department, alongside the DLD’s own open data. Where a figure is an estimate (rental yield, for example) it is labelled as one on the spot.

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