Buyer Guides · 3 min read
Can Foreigners Buy Property in Dubai? Freehold Explained
The EQT Private Office · RERA-registered brokerage · Published August 10, 2026 · Updated September 24, 2026
Yes, foreigners can buy property in Dubai and own it outright as freehold in designated areas. Since 2002, Dubai law has let non-UAE nationals buy, hold, sell and lease property with full title in more than 60 gazetted freehold zones, including Palm Jumeirah, Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, Emirates Hills, Al Barari and Jumeirah Islands. You don't need to be a resident, and you pay no annual property tax and no capital gains tax on resale. Below: what freehold means, where you can buy, the costs, and how ownership can lead to long-term UAE residency.
Key takeaways
- •Foreigners of any nationality can buy freehold property in Dubai's designated zones.
- •Freehold gives you full, permanent ownership of the property and the land.
- •You don't need residency to buy; non-residents can purchase too.
- •No annual property tax and no capital gains tax apply.
- •A purchase of AED 2M+ can qualify the owner for a 10-year Golden Visa.
The law: how foreign ownership works in Dubai
Dubai opened property ownership to foreigners in 2002 and formalised it under Dubai Law No. 7 of 2006 on land registration. The law created designated freehold areas where non-UAE and non-GCC nationals can hold property under a registered title deed.
Outside those zones, foreigners are limited to leasehold or usufruct arrangements. The Dubai Land Department (DLD) keeps the official register and issues the title deed that proves ownership.
Freehold vs leasehold: what the difference means
Freehold and leasehold are Dubai's two main ownership structures, and they give you different rights. Freehold is outright ownership. Leasehold is a long-term right to use.
In luxury villa and apartment areas such as Palm Jumeirah and Emirates Hills, freehold is the standard: you control the asset completely and can pass it to your heirs.
- •Freehold: you own the property and the land indefinitely, with the right to sell, lease or bequeath.
- •Leasehold: you hold usage rights for a fixed term (commonly up to 99 years) but not the land itself.
- •Commonhold: applies to apartments, giving you your unit plus a share of the common areas.
- •The Dubai Land Department registers freehold title deeds directly.
Where foreigners can buy: designated freehold areas
Foreigners can take freehold title only in gazetted zones, but those zones include most of Dubai's premium and most popular communities. The list has grown steadily and now covers dozens of areas across the city, among them the established luxury communities where EQT's clients buy.
- •Palm Jumeirah: beachfront villas and apartments.
- •Emirates Hills: Dubai's best-known gated villa community.
- •Al Barari: low-density, green residential estates.
- •Downtown Dubai and Business Bay: landmark apartments and penthouses.
- •Jumeirah Islands, Dubai Hills, Dubai Marina and District One.
The buying process step by step
Buying as a foreigner is straightforward and can take as little as a few weeks. You don't have to attend every stage in person; a power of attorney can stand in where needed.
RERA and the DLD regulate the process from start to finish and protect both buyer and seller. A RERA-licensed brokerage makes sure the transaction, escrow and registration are handled correctly.
- •Agree terms and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (Form F).
- •Pay a deposit, commonly 10%, held securely until transfer.
- •Obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the developer.
- •Complete the transfer at a DLD trustee office and pay the 4% transfer fee.
- •Receive the title deed in your name, confirming freehold ownership.
Costs, taxes, and financing for foreign buyers
Tax is a big part of the appeal. Dubai has no annual property tax, no capital gains tax on resale and no inheritance tax in the conventional sense, though you should still register a will for estate planning.
Budget roughly 6-8% of the price for one-off transaction costs. Non-resident foreigners can borrow from UAE banks too, with larger down payments than residents.
- •DLD transfer fee: 4% of the purchase price.
- •Agency commission: 2% plus 5% VAT.
- •Registration and trustee fees: a few thousand dirhams.
- •Non-resident mortgages: up to around 50-60% loan-to-value.
- •No annual property or capital gains tax on the asset.
Ownership and residency: the Golden Visa link
Owning property in Dubai can lead straight to long-term residency. Invest AED 2 million or more in real estate and you qualify for the UAE's renewable 10-year Golden Visa, which can extend to your spouse and dependants.
The property doesn't always have to be mortgage-free, and the visa gives your family a stable base for relocation, schooling and business. Luxury villas sit well above the threshold, so their buyers qualify on value almost by default.
- •AED 2M+ property investment supports a 10-year Golden Visa.
- •The visa covers spouse and dependants and is renewable.
- •You don't have to live in the UAE year-round to own property.
- •You can hold property individually or through a qualifying company structure.
Frequently asked
Can any nationality buy property in Dubai?+
Yes. Dubai places no nationality restrictions on freehold purchases in designated areas, so buyers from any country can own property outright.
Do I need to live in Dubai to buy property there?+
No. Non-residents can buy freehold property, and you can complete the purchase remotely through a power of attorney if needed.
What does freehold ownership actually give me?+
Permanent, full ownership of the property and the land, registered under a DLD title deed, with the right to sell, lease, renovate or bequeath it.
Are there taxes on buying or owning property in Dubai?+
Dubai has no annual property tax and no capital gains tax. The main cost is the one-off 4% DLD transfer fee at purchase, plus agency and registration fees.
Can buying property get me UAE residency?+
Yes. A property investment of AED 2 million or more qualifies you for a renewable 10-year Golden Visa that extends to immediate family.
Can foreigners get a mortgage in Dubai?+
Yes. UAE banks lend to non-residents on more conservative loan-to-value ratios, so expect a down payment of around 40-50%.
