Wherever you live, whether in the UK, Europe, Africa, Asia or elsewhere, you can buy off-plan property in Dubai. Foreign nationals can own freehold property in designated areas without living in the UAE, and most steps can be done remotely. The UAE does not levy income tax on individuals, but your home country may tax your Dubai income or gains, so take advice where you are tax resident.
Yes. Under Dubai Law No. 7 of 2006 on real property registration, non-UAE nationals may own freehold property, or hold usufruct or long leasehold rights, in the areas designated for them. The UAE Government portal confirms that this applies to foreigners who do not live in the UAE as well as to expatriate residents, and that there is no age limit to own property in Dubai.
The designated areas are defined plot by plot, so check that the specific project sits on designated land before you book. Read the full guide: Can foreigners buy property in Dubai?
Most of an off-plan purchase can be done from your home country:
Read the full guide: Buying property in Dubai remotely.
The UAE position is set out by the authorities. There is no income tax on individuals, and their real estate investment income is not subject to Corporate Tax. That is only half of the picture. Your home country may tax rental income from a Dubai property, gains when you sell it, or both, and some countries have rules on reporting assets held abroad.
We do not give tax advice. Before you buy, ask a tax adviser in the country where you are tax resident how a Dubai property would be treated. Our guide on taxes on UAE property for individuals explains the UAE side.
You can pay the instalments from your own funds, borrow at home, or look at a UAE mortgage for the balance at handover. Central Bank of the UAE rules cap borrowing on an off-plan purchase at 50% of the property value, and each lender decides whether to lend to non-residents and on what terms. Borrowing in another currency also adds exchange rate risk to your repayments. Read the full guide: UAE mortgages for non-residents.
Owning property can support an application for UAE residence, but it does not decide it. ICP states that real estate investors may qualify for the Golden Residency with property worth at least AED 2 million in total, for 10 years, subject to the authorities’ current requirements. A separate two-year residence linked to property ownership, called Taskeen, is available through DLD. Sole owners need no minimum value, and joint owners need a share worth at least AED 400,000.
The authorities decide every application. See our Golden Visa through property page and the full guide: Golden Visa through property in Dubai.
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General information only
This page is general information, not legal, tax, immigration or financial advice. Rules and fees are set by the authorities and can change. Confirm the details with the authority or a licensed adviser before you act. Read our disclaimer.
No. The UAE Government portal states that foreigners who do not live in the UAE, as well as expatriate residents, may acquire freehold ownership in Dubai's designated areas. For an individual buyer, DLD's interim registration asks for a valid passport if you are not a UAE resident, together with a copy of the sales and purchase agreement.
The UAE does not levy income tax on individuals, and income an individual earns from property that does not need a licence is not subject to UAE Corporate Tax. A holiday home licence counts as a licence, so check that case. Your home country may tax the same income, so take advice where you are tax resident.
It may support an application. Property worth at least AED 2 million in total may qualify for the Golden Residency, valid for 10 years, and DLD also offers a two-year residence linked to property ownership. Each route has conditions, and the authorities decide every application.
Official sources used on this page. Each was checked on the date shown.
5 min read
Yes. Dubai law lets non-UAE nationals own property in areas designated by the Ruler, as freehold without time limit or as usufruct or leasehold for a limited term. You do not need to live in the UAE, and the UAE government says there is no age limit to own. This guide explains freehold and leasehold, how the designated areas are set, how to check a specific project, and how individuals, joint buyers and companies can buy.
8 min read
You can buy off-plan property in Dubai without visiting. Developers register sales online with DLD, electronic signing may be available where the developer offers it, and payments go by bank transfer to the project's escrow account. A few steps may need you in person or a representative with a power of attorney. This guide explains what can be done from abroad, how to view and verify a project, how to pay safely, and how to handle handover and leasing from overseas.
10 min read
Owning UAE property above a value threshold set by the authorities may make you eligible to apply for the long-term UAE Golden Residency, subject to their criteria. Off-plan and mortgaged property can count under conditions. ICP and GDRFA Dubai decide every application. This guide explains eligibility, family sponsorship, how to apply in Dubai and how to keep the residency. Official pages differ in places, and we show where.
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