Foreigners can buy freehold property in designated areas across the Emirates. Dubai and Abu Dhabi each run their own land department, tenancy registration and licensing — so the rules depend on which emirate you buy in.

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UAE at a glanceLast reviewed October 2026

CapitalAbu Dhabi

CurrencyUAE dirham (AED)

ExchangePegged · USD 1 = AED 3.6725

Main regulatorsDLD / RERA (Dubai) · ADREC (Abu Dhabi)

Foreign ownershipFreehold in designated areas

Residency routeGolden Visa from AED 2M

Who can buy

Freehold for foreigners — in designated areas

Each emirate designates the areas where non-UAE nationals can own property outright. In Dubai these are the freehold areas, and in Abu Dhabi the investment zones. Outside them, foreigners can usually hold long leases or usufruct rights rather than full ownership.

Dubai: freehold areas include Downtown, Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah and Business Bay

Abu Dhabi: investment zones include Saadiyat, Yas and Al Reem islands

Off-plan sales are paid into a regulated project escrow account

Costs & residency

What buying costs —
and what it can unlock.

Purchase costs

Dubai transfer feeDubai Land Department

4% of the price

Abu Dhabi registration feeOften split by agreement

2% of the price

Agent commissionNegotiable

Typically around 2% + VAT

Mortgage limitsUAE Central Bank

Up to 80% LTV for an expat's first home under AED 5M

Residency through property

Golden VisaProperty worth AED 2 million or more10-year renewable residence; mortgaged and some off-plan properties can qualify

Ejari (Dubai)

Tawtheeq (Abu Dhabi). Tenancy contracts are registered with the local authority.

Who's in charge

The authorities
you'll deal with.

DLDDubai Land DepartmentRegisters property and sets Dubai's real estate rules

RERAReal Estate Regulatory AgencyDLD's regulator for brokers, developers and escrow

ADRECAbu Dhabi Real Estate CentreRegulates Abu Dhabi real estate through the DARI platform

CBUAECentral Bank of the UAESets mortgage lending limits

Where people buy

Key areas in UAE
at a glance.

DubaiForeign ownership

Downtown Dubai

Around Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Mall — high-rise apartments

DubaiForeign ownership

Dubai Marina

Waterfront towers along a man-made marina

DubaiForeign ownership

Palm Jumeirah

Man-made island of villas, apartments and hotels

DubaiForeign ownership

Business Bay

Canal-side mixed-use district next to Downtown

DubaiForeign ownership

Dubai Hills Estate

Master-planned community around a park and golf course

DubaiForeign ownership

Jumeirah Village Circle

Mid-market community with many newer buildings

Abu DhabiForeign ownership

Saadiyat Island

Cultural district and beaches; an investment zone

Abu DhabiForeign ownership

Yas Island

Leisure destination with residential communities; an investment zone

Abu DhabiForeign ownership

Al Reem Island

High-rise residential island next to the city centre; an investment zone

Ras Al KhaimahForeign ownership

Al Marjan Island

Man-made beachfront islands with resorts and residences

See UAE property options →

Compare the GCC

Explore the
other five markets.

Saudi ArabiaThe GCC's largest market, newly opening to foreign buyers→

QatarFreehold zones with residency attached→

KuwaitA tightly held market, opening step by step→

BahrainIsland freehold with a 10-year visa→

OmanFrom tourism complexes to nationwide ownership→

Side-by-side GCC comparison →

Sources

Last reviewed October 2026. Rules change — always confirm with the official authority before you buy. This page is general information, not legal advice.

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United Arab Emirates

Freehold for foreigners — in designated areas

What buying costs —
and what it can unlock.

The authorities
you'll deal with.

Key areas in UAE
at a glance.

Explore the
other five markets.

Get the process right
from the first step.

Dubai Land Department

United Arab Emirates

Freehold for foreigners — in designated areas

What buying costs —and what it can unlock.

The authoritiesyou'll deal with.

Key areas in UAEat a glance.

Explore theother five markets.

Get the process rightfrom the first step.

What buying costs —
and what it can unlock.

The authorities
you'll deal with.

Key areas in UAE
at a glance.

Explore the
other five markets.

Get the process right
from the first step.