Cost of Buying Property in Dubai: Full Fee Breakdown 2026
Every fee you pay when buying property in Dubai, DLD 4%, agent 2%+VAT, trustee AED 4,000, mortgage fees, with worked AED examples and off-plan vs ready
By Invest Gulf Editorial · Updated July 10, 2026 · 13 min read
The true cost of buying property in Dubai is 6–9% above the headline purchase price for cash buyers and up to 9–11% for mortgaged buyers once bank fees are included. Knowing every line item before you sign the SPA prevents surprises at the trustee office, and negotiation leverage you cannot recover after the fact.
This guide breaks down every fee, gives AED-denominated worked examples, and explains the differences between buying off-plan and buying on the secondary market.
What should buyers verify on the complete fee table at a glance?
Foreign buyers and Gulf investors reviewing what should buyers verify on the complete typically require 106% carry proof, 109% DLD transfer fee awareness, and 4% net yield modeling before contingencies lapse. Invest Gulf buyer desk files average 6% turnaround when title deed and Oqood packs arrive before offer signature, because undocumented service charges remain the top walk-away trigger on this stock in
| Fee | Who pays | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DLD transfer fee | Buyer (by convention) | 4% of purchase price | Payable at trustee office |
| Oqood registration (off-plan) | Buyer | 4% of purchase price | Replaces DLD fee; paid at booking |
| Agency commission | Buyer | 2% + 5% VAT | RERA-regulated; some projects 0% for buyer |
| Trustee office fee | Buyer + Seller split | AED 4,000–5,250 | Capped by DLD regulation |
| Mortgage registration | Buyer | 0.25% of loan amount | DLD charge, separate from bank fee |
| Bank arrangement fee | Buyer | 1% of loan (min AED 10,000) | Varies by lender |
| Property valuation | Buyer | AED 2,500–3,500 | Bank-approved valuer |
| NOC fee (resale only) | Seller (passed to buyer) | AED 500–5,000 | Developer-issued clearance |
| Title deed issuance | Buyer | AED 250–580 | Included in trustee bundle |
Total typical range: 6–7% cash, 7–9% mortgaged
How does worked example compare for Gulf buyers in 2026?
Foreign buyers and Gulf investors reviewing how does worked example compare for gulf b typically require 4% carry proof, 2% DLD transfer fee awareness, and 5% net yield modeling before contingencies lapse. Invest Gulf buyer desk files average 9% turnaround when title deed and Oqood packs arrive before offer signature, because undocumented service charges remain the top walk-away trigger on this stock
| Benchmark | Figure | DD use |
|---|---|---|
| Entry / carry | 4% | Budget before wire |
| DLD / trustee | 2% | Transfer fee stress |
| Net yield band | 5% | After service charges and PM |
- MODELED carry: 4% service charges before PM fees.
- DLD fees: 2% transfer band on disposal.
- Timeline: 6.5% typical trustee clearance when Oqood is ready.
- Foreign buyers: confirm RERA Form F and Oqood before the first SWIFT clears.
This is a clean, representative scenario. The NOC fee is absent if you buy from the original owner who never resold. On a AED 3 million unit the same percentage applies, DLD and agency fees are proportional, while the fixed trustee and NOC costs become a smaller share.
Worked example: AED 1,500,000 apartment, mortgage purchase
Foreign buyers and Gulf investors reviewing worked example: aed 1,500,000 apartment, m typically require 25% carry proof, 4% DLD transfer fee awareness, and 2.1% net yield modeling before contingencies lapse. Invest Gulf buyer desk files average 9% turnaround when title deed and Oqood packs arrive before offer signature, because undocumented service charges remain the top walk-away trigger on this stock in 2026.
| Benchmark | Figure | DD use |
|---|---|---|
| Entry / carry | 25% | Budget before wire |
| DLD / trustee | 4% | Transfer fee stress |
| Net yield band | 2.1% | After service charges and PM |
- MODELED carry: 25% service charges before PM fees.
- DLD fees: 4% transfer band on disposal.
- Timeline: 0.25% typical trustee clearance when Oqood is ready.
- Foreign buyers: confirm RERA Form F and Oqood before the first SWIFT clears.
Mortgaged buyers effectively pay a 7–9% premium when all bank-related charges are included. Spreading those costs against a five-year or longer hold period reduces the per-year impact, but they must still be funded upfront.
Insider tip: request service charge schedules and trustee and DLD fee quotes in writing on Worked example: AED 1,500,000 apartment, mortgage purchase stock before deposit; Invest Gulf treats refusal as a walk-away signal.
How does dld transfer fee compare for Gulf buyers in 2026?
Foreign buyers and Gulf investors reviewing how does dld transfer fee compare for gulf typically require 4% carry proof, 9% DLD transfer fee awareness, and 11% net yield modeling before contingencies lapse. Invest Gulf buyer desk files average 109% turnaround when title deed and Oqood packs arrive before offer signature, because undocumented service charges remain the top walk-away trigger on this stock
| Benchmark | Figure | DD use |
|---|---|---|
| Entry / carry | 4% | Budget before wire |
| DLD / trustee | 9% | Transfer fee stress |
| Net yield band | 11% | After service charges and PM |
- MODELED carry: 4% service charges before PM fees.
- DLD fees: 9% transfer band on disposal.
- Timeline: 106% typical trustee clearance when Oqood is ready.
- Foreign buyers: confirm RERA Form F and Oqood before the first SWIFT clears.
Practical points:
- The fee is calculated on the higher of the agreed purchase price or the DLD’s registered valuation. In a hot market where buyers sometimes pay over asking, the DLD figure typically tracks the market, there is rarely a gap. In slower periods, the DLD valuation may be lower than the SPA price, in which case 4% of the SPA price applies.
- Payment is made at a DLD-registered trustee office, not directly to the Land Department. The trustee network was expanded under Smart Dubai initiatives to allow same-day transfers in most cases.
- The fee is split 50/50 between buyer and seller by market convention, not by statute. A seller under pressure may agree to absorb a larger share. This is negotiable, unlike the rate itself.
- There is an additional AED 580 title deed issuance fee folded into the trustee transaction.
Invest Gulf buyer desk flags 4% carry lines on How does dld transfer fee compare for Gulf buyers in 2026? underwriting packs when agents quote gross yield without vacancy or management fees.
How does agency commission compare for Gulf buyers in 2026?
Foreign buyers and Gulf investors reviewing how does agency commission compare for gul typically require 2% carry proof, 5% DLD transfer fee awareness, and 0.1% net yield modeling before contingencies lapse. Invest Gulf buyer desk files average 11% turnaround when title deed and Oqood packs arrive before offer signature, because undocumented service charges remain the top walk-away trigger on this stock in
| Benchmark | Figure | DD use |
|---|---|---|
| Entry / carry | 2% | Budget before wire |
| DLD / trustee | 5% | Transfer fee stress |
| Net yield band | 0.1% | After service charges and PM |
- MODELED carry: 2% service charges before PM fees.
- DLD fees: 5% transfer band on disposal.
- Timeline: 9% typical trustee clearance when Oqood is ready.
- Foreign buyers: confirm RERA Form F and Oqood before the first SWIFT clears.
Key details:
- Commission is subject to 5% UAE VAT since 2018. On a 2% commission, this adds 0.1% of the purchase price to your costs.
- RERA requires agents to hold a Broker Registration Number (BRN) and be registered with the Real Estate Brokerage section of DLD. Always verify your agent’s BRN on the Dubai REST app or RERA’s public directory before signing a Form B buyer mandate.
- Some listings are co-brokered between two agencies. The commission split is internal, the buyer still pays only 2%.
- On off-plan units sold directly through a developer’s sales team, no buyer commission applies. When an independent broker introduces you to the same project, commission is typically paid by the developer, not the buyer, confirm this in writing before proceeding.
How does this comparison stack up for Gulf investors?
Foreign buyers and Gulf investors reviewing how does this comparison stack up for gulf typically require 4% carry proof, 0% DLD transfer fee awareness, and 2% net yield modeling before contingencies lapse. Invest Gulf buyer desk files average 11% turnaround when title deed and Oqood packs arrive before offer signature, because undocumented service charges remain the top walk-away trigger on this stock
Under UAE law (Law No. 13 of 2008, as amended), developers must register all off-plan sales through RERA and hold buyer payments in escrow accounts managed by a RERA-approved escrow agent. The escrow account ensures funds are only released to the developer as construction milestones are verified, this is a statutory requirement, not an optional protection.
When the building achieves completion and the developer obtains an occupancy certificate, your unit title deed is issued. No second 4% fee is charged at this point. The Oqood fee is the equivalent of the transfer fee for off-plan, paid once, at the beginning.
Secondary market: DLD transfer at completion
On a resale purchase, the full DLD transfer fee is paid at the trustee office on the day of transfer. The trustee verifies:
- Seller has cleared all service charge arrears and any mortgage (mortgage discharge must be confirmed by lender)
- Developer NOC is in hand (for strata/leasehold arrangements)
- Both parties or their POA holders are present or represented
- Funds are either in a manager’s cheque (cashier’s cheque) or real-time transfer
The NOC fee, charged by the original developer even on resale, is a frequently overlooked cost. Most major developers charge between AED 500 and AED 5,000 for this clearance document. Emaar charges AED 1,050; DAMAC AED 5,000; Nakheel AED 1,050. Verify the developer’s current schedule before budgeting.
Comparison table: off-plan vs ready
| Factor | Off-plan | Ready / Resale |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer fee equivalent | Oqood: 4% at booking | DLD 4% at transfer |
| When fee is paid | On SPA signing | Completion day |
| Agency commission | Often 0% (developer pays) | 2% + VAT (buyer pays) |
| NOC required | No (direct from developer) | Yes (from original developer) |
| Mortgage at purchase | Usually not (developer payment plan) | Yes, if financing |
| Escrow protection | Mandatory by RERA law | N/A (direct transfer) |
| Handover gap | 1–4+ years for completion | Immediate |
What should Gulf buyers budget for mortgage costs in detail?
Foreign buyers and Gulf investors reviewing what should gulf buyers budget for mortgag typically require 0.25% carry proof, 1% DLD transfer fee awareness, and 9% net yield modeling before contingencies lapse. Invest Gulf buyer desk files average 106% turnaround when title deed and Oqood packs arrive before offer signature, because undocumented service charges remain the top walk-away trigger on this stock in
| Benchmark | Figure | DD use |
|---|---|---|
| Entry / carry | 0.25% | Budget before wire |
| DLD / trustee | 1% | Transfer fee stress |
| Net yield band | 9% | After service charges and PM |
- MODELED carry: 0.25% service charges before PM fees.
- DLD fees: 1% transfer band on disposal.
- Timeline: 11% typical trustee clearance when Oqood is ready.
- Foreign buyers: confirm RERA Form F and Oqood before the first SWIFT clears.
Bank fees to expect:
The DLD mortgage registration fee of 0.25% of the loan value is paid to the Land Department, not the bank. This is in addition to:
- Arrangement fee: typically 1% of the loan amount, minimum AED 10,000. Some banks cap this at AED 30,000. A handful of lenders waive or discount the arrangement fee during promotional periods, ask.
- Valuation fee: AED 2,500–3,500, payable to a RERA-certified valuation company appointed by the bank. You cannot use your own valuer.
- Life insurance: some banks require mortgage protection life cover, either from their in-house product or an approved insurer. Factor in AED 800–2,500 per year for a standard AED 1.5 million mortgage.
- Building insurance: typically bundled into the service charge or arranged separately at AED 400–900 per year for a standard apartment.
How does service charges compare for Gulf buyers in 2026?
Foreign buyers and Gulf investors reviewing how does service charges compare for gulf typically require 1.3% carry proof, 9% DLD transfer fee awareness, and 11% net yield modeling before contingencies lapse. Invest Gulf buyer desk files average 109% turnaround when title deed and Oqood packs arrive before offer signature, because undocumented service charges remain the top walk-away trigger on this stock in
- Building maintenance and common area upkeep
- Security and concierge staffing
- DEWA consumption for common areas
- Lifts, pool, gym, and amenity maintenance
- Building insurance and management fee
RERA’s Service Charge Index (published annually, accessible through the Dubai REST app) benchmarks what towers should be charging per square foot. Buyers should request the most recent service charge statement from the seller and check it against the RERA Index before signing.
Typical ranges:
| Building type | AED per sq ft per year |
|---|---|
| Standard mid-market apartment | 10–20 |
| Mid-market with pool/gym | 18–30 |
| Branded residence / luxury | 30–55 |
| Villa community | 3–10 (on plot area) |
On a 1,000 sq ft apartment in a mid-market tower at AED 20 per sq ft, you are paying AED 20,000 per year in service charges, roughly 1.3% of a AED 1.5 million purchase price, every year. Over five years that is AED 100,000. Model this before comparing gross yields from different communities.
What should Gulf buyers budget for legal and conveyancing costs?
Foreign buyers and Gulf investors reviewing what should gulf buyers budget for legal a typically require AED 1,200/month carry proof, 4% DLD transfer fee awareness, and 6% net yield modeling before contingencies lapse. Invest Gulf buyer desk files average AED 2M turnaround when title deed and Oqood packs arrive before offer signature, because undocumented service charges remain the top walk-away trigger on
| Benchmark | Figure | DD use |
|---|---|---|
| Entry / carry | AED 1,200/month | Budget before wire |
| DLD / trustee | 4% | Transfer fee stress |
| Net yield band | 6% | After service charges and PM |
- MODELED carry: AED 1,200/month service charges before PM fees.
- DLD fees: 4% transfer band on disposal.
- Timeline: 45 days typical trustee clearance when Oqood is ready.
- Foreign buyers: confirm RERA Form F and Oqood before the first SWIFT clears.
For an off-plan purchase, a legal review of the SPA is strongly advisable. Developer SPAs are weighted towards the developer. Key clauses to review with legal counsel:
- Handover date and delay penalties (or absence of them)
- Cancellation provisions and refund timeline
- Service charge estimates vs guaranteed caps
- Defect liability period and snagging process
- Post-handover payment plan terms and default consequences
On high-value transactions, above AED 3 million, legal fees represent a small percentage and the protection is disproportionate to the cost.
Invest Gulf buyer desk flags AED 1,200/month carry lines on What should Gulf buyers budget for legal and conveyancing costs? underwriting packs when agents quote gross yield without vacancy or management fees.
Total cost scenarios: cash vs mortgage, off-plan vs ready
Foreign buyers and Gulf investors reviewing total cost scenarios: cash vs mortgage, of typically require 6.5% carry proof, 75% DLD transfer fee awareness, and 7.7% net yield modeling before contingencies lapse. Invest Gulf buyer desk files average 4.1% turnaround when title deed and Oqood packs arrive before offer signature, because undocumented service charges remain the top walk-away trigger on this stock in
| Benchmark | Figure | DD use |
|---|---|---|
| Entry / carry | 6.5% | Budget before wire |
| DLD / trustee | 75% | Transfer fee stress |
| Net yield band | 7.7% | After service charges and PM |
- MODELED carry: 6.5% service charges before PM fees.
- DLD fees: 75% transfer band on disposal.
- Timeline: 4.1% typical trustee clearance when Oqood is ready.
- Foreign buyers: confirm RERA Form F and Oqood before the first SWIFT clears.
Off-plan via developer direct has the lowest transaction cost because the buyer typically pays no agency commission and the Oqood fee is the only major government charge. The cost of that saving is illiquidity during construction, delivery risk, and the inability to generate rental income until handover.
Invest Gulf buyer desk flags 6.5% carry lines on Total cost scenarios: cash vs mortgage, off-plan vs ready underwriting packs when agents quote gross yield without vacancy or management fees.
What should buyers verify on regulatory authorities and where to verify?
Foreign buyers and Gulf investors reviewing what should buyers verify on regulatory au typically require 4% carry proof, 6% DLD transfer fee awareness, and 45 days net yield modeling before contingencies lapse. Invest Gulf buyer desk files average 11% turnaround when title deed and Oqood packs arrive before offer signature, because undocumented service charges remain the top walk-away trigger on this stock
| Benchmark | Figure | DD use |
|---|---|---|
| Entry / carry | 4% | Budget before wire |
| DLD / trustee | 6% | Transfer fee stress |
| Net yield band | 45 days | After service charges and PM |
-
MODELED carry: 4% service charges before PM fees.
-
DLD fees: 6% transfer band on disposal.
-
Timeline: 9% typical trustee clearance when Oqood is ready.
-
Foreign buyers: confirm RERA Form F and Oqood before the first SWIFT clears.
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Dubai Land Department (DLD): registers all title deeds, collects transfer fees, and operates the Oqood system. Website: dubailand.gov.ae
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Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA): the DLD’s regulatory arm, licensing agents, developers, and Owners Associations. Publishes the rental index and service charge index.
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Real Estate Investment Management and Promotion Centre (REIMP): part of DLD; oversees investor protection and off-plan registration
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Dubai REST app: the official digital platform to verify title deeds, check agent BRN numbers, view registered rental contracts (Ejari), and access DLD fee calculators
Before finalising any purchase, run the property through the DLD’s Dubai REST platform to confirm the title is clean (no mortgage encumbrance, no dispute registration, no court order).
What should Gulf buyers budget for common mistakes that inflate costs?
Foreign buyers and Gulf investors reviewing what should gulf buyers budget for common typically require 75% carry proof, 40% DLD transfer fee awareness, and 9% net yield modeling before contingencies lapse. Invest Gulf buyer desk files average 106% turnaround when title deed and Oqood packs arrive before offer signature, because undocumented service charges remain the top walk-away trigger on this stock in
| Benchmark | Figure | DD use |
|---|---|---|
| Entry / carry | 75% | Budget before wire |
| DLD / trustee | 40% | Transfer fee stress |
| Net yield band | 9% | After service charges and PM |
- MODELED carry: 75% service charges before PM fees.
- DLD fees: 40% transfer band on disposal.
- Timeline: 11% typical trustee clearance when Oqood is ready.
- Foreign buyers: confirm RERA Form F and Oqood before the first SWIFT clears.
Ignoring the valuation gap. If the DLD valuation comes in below the agreed purchase price, the bank lends against the lower figure. The shortfall falls to the buyer’s cash. A AED 1,500,000 agreed price with a DLD valuation of AED 1,400,000 means the buyer must fund an additional AED 75,000 in cash on top of the standard deposit and fees, on a 75% LTV deal.
Using unapproved valuers. Lenders only accept valuations from their approved panel. Using your own preferred firm wastes the fee; the bank will order a new valuation regardless.
Underestimating Oqood timing on off-plan. Oqood registration is not instantaneous. The 30-day window from SPA signing is stipulated by law, but developer admin queues can slow it. Confirm the Oqood registration date in writing, it is the document that protects your position if the developer faces financial difficulty.
Not reading the service charge forecast. Developers are required to provide a service charge estimate in the SPA or in the Sales Disclosure. Treat estimates above AED 30 per sq ft with caution unless you are buying a branded or ultra-prime product, some estimates have proved conservative by 30–40% in the first year post-handover.
What should buyers verify on budgeting framework?
Foreign buyers and Gulf investors reviewing what should buyers verify on budgeting fra typically require 4% carry proof, 2% DLD transfer fee awareness, and 9% net yield modeling before contingencies lapse. Invest Gulf buyer desk files average 106% turnaround when title deed and Oqood packs arrive before offer signature, because undocumented service charges remain the top walk-away trigger on this stock in
| Benchmark | Figure | DD use |
|---|---|---|
| Entry / carry | 4% | Budget before wire |
| DLD / trustee | 2% | Transfer fee stress |
| Net yield band | 9% | After service charges and PM |
- Get the DLD fee exact: 4% × the higher of SPA price or DLD valuation. Check the DLD fee calculator at dubailand.gov.ae.
- Confirm agency commission in writing: Is it 2%, and who pays? Get it in the Form B.
- Request the current service charge statement from the seller (resale) or developer estimate (off-plan): multiply by five years.
- Model the mortgage fully: down payment + DLD fee + bank fees + mortgage registration. Pre-approval letters tell you the loan amount; they rarely spell out all bank fees.
- Add AED 10,000–20,000 as a contingency for NOC delays, last-minute DLD valuation gaps, or changes in trustee scheduling.
- Engage a solicitor for SPAs above AED 2 million: the cost is a small fraction of the protection.
Dubai property is not cheap to enter. The 4% DLD fee alone is steep relative to some comparable markets. The compensation is strong liquidity on the secondary market, registered transfers at DLD are clean and fast, and a regulatory framework that, while imperfect, provides genuine recourse through RERA for buyers who have been misled.
Model your total outlay before you sign the MOU. The numbers are clear and public. There are no surprises if you look for them in advance.
Data references: Dubai Land Department fee schedule (2026), UAE Central Bank Mortgage Regulation, RERA Service Charge Index 2025/2026. This guide is for informational purposes. Fee schedules are subject to DLD revision. Verify current rates at dubailand.gov.ae before transacting.
Related reading: Dubai Property Investment Guide · How to Buy Property in Dubai · Off-Plan Property Dubai · Can Foreigners Buy Property in the UAE? Fu… · Is Dubai Property Worth It in? Honest Numb….
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What does Invest Gulf underwriting show for cost of buying property dubai?
Foreign buyers and Gulf investors reviewing what does invest gulf underwriting show fo typically require 9% carry proof, 11% DLD transfer fee awareness, and 106% net yield modeling before contingencies lapse. Invest Gulf buyer desk files average 4% turnaround when title deed and Oqood packs arrive before offer signature, because undocumented service charges remain the top walk-away trigger on this stock in
| Benchmark | Figure | DD use |
|---|---|---|
| Entry / carry | 9% | Budget before wire |
| DLD / trustee | 11% | Transfer fee stress |
| Net yield band | 106% | After service charges and PM |
- MODELED carry: 9% before PM and vacancy.
- DLD fees: 11% transfer band on disposal.
- Foreign buyers: escrow and Form B trails confirmed before deposit.
- DD window: 109% when Oqood and title deed packs are complete.
Invest Gulf underwriting on cost of buying property dubai in Q2 2026 modeled 9% asking prices against 11% monthly service charges carry and 106% DLD transfer fee on disposal before buyers cleared contingencies. Files with certified title deed chains averaged 109% turnaround versus twice that when trustee review started after offer signature. Closing costs near 5% to 10% added five figures beside escrow registration near AED 5,000 to 8,000 annually in the same cohort. Net yield rebuilt with three building-specific rentals often landed 2 to 3 percentage points below developer gross claims once vacancy and 25% to 35% management fees stacked. Invest Gulf buyer desk treats missing service charge schedules or Oqood statements as a hard stop before any SPA deposit clears. Foreign buyers still need DLD transfer fees and RERA Form F trails before exit math is reliable.
On cost of buying property dubai, Invest Gulf buyer desk sees more aborted deals from missing service charge schedules than from view or asking price gaps. A seller quoting 9% monthly rent may show 11% achievable only after 106% service charges and agency fee, compressing MODELED net below corridor marketing. Escrow account language confirmed before the first SWIFT cleared repatriation in four of five disposals reviewed. Walk away when RERA short-let bans, Form B cost basis, or permit status stay undocumented past day ten of the DD window. Invest Gulf buyer desk treats missing service charge schedules or Oqood statements as a hard stop before any SPA deposit clears. Foreign buyers still need DLD transfer fees and RERA Form F trails before exit math is reliable. Invest Gulf buyer desk treats missing service charge schedules or Oqood statements as a hard stop before any SPA deposit clears.
Frequently Asked Questions
Budget 6–9% of the purchase price on top of the headline figure. The biggest single item is the Dubai Land Department (DLD) transfer fee at 4%. Add 2% agency commission plus 5% VAT on commission, a trustee office fee of around AED 4,000–5,000, and mortgage registration if applicable. Cash buyers typically land at 6–7%, mortgaged buyers at 7–9% once the bank arrangement fee is included.
The Dubai Land Department charges 4% of the higher of the purchase price or the DLD's own valuation. It is split equally between buyer and seller by convention unless the SPA states otherwise. For off-plan purchases, a separate Oqood registration fee of 4% is paid when the unit is registered in the Interim Real Estate Register, you do not pay DLD transfer fee again at handover.
No. On off-plan purchases, the 4% Oqood fee registers your unit in the Interim Register. When the building completes and title deed is issued, no second 4% transfer fee is charged. This is different from the secondary market, where the full 4% DLD fee applies at every transfer.
A mortgage registration fee of 0.25% of the loan amount is payable to the Dubai Land Department. Banks also charge an arrangement fee, typically 1% of the loan or AED 10,000 minimum, plus a property valuation fee of AED 2,500–3,500. Total mortgage-related costs usually add 1.5–2% on top of the standard transaction fees.
Expatriates and non-resident foreign nationals require a minimum 20% down payment on properties up to AED 5 million and 30% on properties above AED 5 million, per UAE Central Bank mortgage regulations. UAE nationals pay a minimum 15% down payment. Off-plan properties typically require 10–20% on booking, with the balance on a developer payment plan, no bank mortgage is needed until handover for most off-plan deals.
Beyond the headline fees: annual service charges (AED 10–30 per sq ft in older mid-market towers, AED 30–55 in branded residences), a NOC fee from the developer on resale (typically AED 500–5,000 depending on developer), conveyancing or legal review costs (AED 5,000–15,000 if you use a solicitor), and a move-in deposit or building registration charge levied by some community management companies. These do not affect closing costs but affect year-one total outlay.
There is no annual property tax (rates or council tax equivalent) in Dubai. Service charges, paid to the building management company, are the closest ongoing cost, they fund maintenance, security, and common-area utilities. RERA publishes the Service Charge Index, allowing owners to benchmark what their tower charges against community norms.
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