Ask us anything about Dubai real estate

Yes. Foreign nationals can buy and own property outright (freehold) in designated freehold areas across Dubai — such as Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, Business Bay and JVC. Elsewhere, non-GCC buyers may purchase on a long-term leasehold basis. You do not need to be a resident to buy.

There is no annual property tax. Buyers pay a one-time Dubai Land Department (DLD) transfer fee of 4% plus standard registration and agency fees.

For ready property the transfer usually completes in 2–4 weeks. Off-plan reservations can be secured in days, with handover at project completion.

Freehold means you own the property and the land it sits on indefinitely, with full rights to sell, lease or pass it on. Leasehold grants you rights to a property for a fixed term (commonly up to 99 years) while the freeholder retains the land. Most international buyers target freehold areas.

Typically: agree terms and sign a Form F (MOU) with a deposit (often 10%), obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the developer, then complete the transfer at the Dubai Land Department (DLD) where ownership and the title deed are registered. An advisor manages each step on your behalf.

A property investment of at least AED 2,000,000 qualifies for the 10-year renewable Golden Visa. Always confirm the latest ICP/DLD rules with our advisors.

Yes. Property investment can qualify you for a renewable UAE residence visa, including the 10-year Golden Visa for qualifying real-estate investment. The investment threshold for the property Golden Visa is AED 2,000,000. Always verify the current ICP/DLD criteria, as rules and qualifying conditions are updated periodically.

Off-plan purchases from approved developers can qualify provided the qualifying value is met and the relevant authority requirements are satisfied. Because eligibility specifics change, confirm the latest position with the DLD/ICP or your advisor before relying on it.

Residency visas have entry/stay conditions to remain valid, but property-linked long-term visas such as the Golden Visa are designed to be flexible for investors who travel. Check the current stay requirements for your specific visa category.

Budget for the DLD transfer fee (commonly 4% of the price), a property registration fee, an agency fee (typically around 2%), plus NOC and conveyancing/admin costs. For mortgaged purchases there are additional bank and mortgage-registration fees. Your advisor will itemise these for your specific deal.

Dubai has no annual property tax and no recurring council tax on residential ownership. The main one-off government cost is the DLD transfer fee at purchase. Owners do pay ongoing service charges to the building/community for maintenance of shared areas.

Service charges are annual fees, usually quoted per square foot, that fund maintenance of common areas, amenities and building management. They vary by community and tower, so factor them into your net yield when comparing investments.

Gross yields vary by area, property type and price point, and typically range from about 6% to 9%. Some communities offer notably higher gross yields than prime central districts, which trade more on capital growth. Net yield depends on service charges, void periods and management costs — review an area’s yield bands on its community page before investing.

It depends on your goal — income vs. capital growth — and budget. Established communities offer liquidity and tenant demand, while emerging areas can offer higher yields and upside. Explore our community pages for live yield, service-charge and demand data, and ask the AI assistant to compare specific areas.

Yes, short-term holiday-home letting is permitted in many communities subject to a DTCM permit and any building/community rules. It can lift income but involves higher management overhead. Check the specific tower’s policy before committing.

Yes. UAE banks lend to residents and to selected non-residents. Loan-to-value limits apply and differ for residents vs. non-residents and by property value; non-residents typically need a larger down payment. Pre-approval clarifies your budget before you offer.

As a guide, resident expats often need a minimum down payment in the region of 20–25% for a first residential property, with higher requirements for higher-value homes and for non-residents. Your bank will confirm the exact figure based on your profile.

You list with an agency, agree a sale and sign the MOU, obtain the developer NOC, settle any outstanding mortgage, and complete the transfer at the DLD where the new title deed is issued. Sy Capital handles valuation, marketing and the full transfer process — see our Sell page.

Dubai tenancies are registered through Ejari, and permitted rent increases are guided by the RERA rental index. Notice periods and renewal rules are set by law to protect both landlords and tenants. An advisor can explain how the index applies to a specific unit.

Payments are staged through construction — often a down-payment followed by instalments tied to build milestones, with the balance due on handover.

Gross yields typically range from 6% to 9% depending on the community, property type and whether the unit is ready or off-plan.