CITY GUIDE · Dubai
Dubai real estate & property
Considering a move, an investment or a business in Dubai? Explore areas, property costs and practical requirements, then discuss what they mean for your situation before looking for a property.
For your next home, investment or business.
PROPERTY GUIDESExplore your options
Explore your options
in Dubai.
Choose a property category to find the guide relevant to your plans.
Commercial
Industrial
Land
Investments
Market context and purchase costs.
Dubai market activity, purchase costs and ownership considerations. Dubai-specific rules are shown alongside applicable UAE federal taxes.
General information
- Local currency
- AED · UAE dirham
- Foreign ownership
- Designated freehold areas
- Non-resident buyers
- Passport accepted
Real estate costs
- Sale registration
- 4% combined
- Registration trustee
- About USD 545 / 1,089 + VAT
- Annual service charges
- Check the building
Taxes & regulation
- Residential VAT
- Generally exempt / first supply 0%
- Commercial VAT
- 5%
- Individual property income
- May fall outside corporate tax
- Standard corporate tax
- 0% / 9%
Investment snapshot
- Annual market activity
- About USD 249.7bn
- New supply delivered
- 24,537 units
- Rental return
- Calculate for the specific property
Sources & details
General information
Local currency
UAEUSD figures use AED 3.6725 per USD from CBUAE for comparison. Bank conversion fees and spreads are not included.
Central Bank of the UAE — exchange ratesForeign ownership
DubaiDubai permits non-resident foreign buyers to acquire freehold property in designated areas. Check the exact plot and ownership rights; emirates have different rules.
UAE Government — expatriate property ownershipNon-resident buyers
Dubai · completed-property registrationDLD lists a valid passport for non-resident individuals in its sale-registration requirements. The required developer e-NOC and other transaction documents still apply.
Dubai Land Department — sale registrationReal estate costs
Sale registration
Dubai · completed-property transferDLD lists 2% for the seller and 2% for the buyer. Confirm the contractual allocation, extra document fees and service channel before budgeting. This is not a UAE-wide fee.
Dubai Land Department — sale registrationRegistration trustee
Dubai · trustee serviceDLD lists AED 2,000 below a sale value of AED 500,000, and AED 4,000 at or above it. USD equivalents are rounded at 3.6725 AED/USD; other registration channels can differ.
Dubai Land Department — sale registrationAnnual service charges
DubaiDLD’s Service Charge Index is searched by project, usage and year. Use the property’s approved charges rather than a generic cost per square foot.
Dubai Land Department — service chargesTaxes & regulation
Residential VAT
UAE · residential propertyResidential supplies are generally exempt. The first supply of a new residential building within three years of completion is zero-rated, subject to the qualifying rules.
Federal Tax Authority — real estate VATCommercial VAT
UAE · commercial propertyCommercial property sales and leases are generally subject to the standard 5% VAT rate. Confirm the specific property classification and transaction treatment.
Federal Tax Authority — real estate VATIndividual property income
UAE · natural personsThe natural-person real-estate investment exclusion applies when the activity is not conducted, or required to be conducted, through a licence. This is not a blanket exemption for every rental business or company. Home-country tax rules may also matter.
Federal Tax Authority — natural-person property investmentStandard corporate tax
UAE · standard regimeUnder the standard regime, 0% applies to taxable income up to AED 375,000 (about USD 102,110), and 9% above it. This is taxable income, not property value; special regimes and exceptions require separate assessment.
UAE Government — corporate taxInvestment snapshot
Annual market activity
Dubai · full year 2025Dubai reported AED 917bn in real-estate transactions in 2025, covering more than 270,000 transactions. This measures market activity, not price appreciation or an investor’s return.
Dubai Media Office — 2025 resultsNew supply delivered
Dubai · H1 2026DLD reported 104 completed projects delivering 24,537 units in H1 2026. Compare competing supply in the target neighbourhood when assessing a property.
Dubai Land Department — September 2026 updateRental return
Property-specific · calculation guideA gross yield estimate is annual rent divided by purchase price. A net assessment should also allow for service charges, vacancy, management and maintenance. No country-wide yield or resale period is assumed here.
Dubai Land Department — service chargesData & conversion
Official totals: AED 761bn in 2024 and AED 917bn in 2025. Converted at AED 3.6725 per USD and rounded to one decimal. These totals include different real-estate transaction types; they are not sales-only figures.
Central Bank of the UAE — exchange ratesLATEST SNAPSHOT · H1 2026 · Dubai Land Department — September 2026 update
HOW WE CAN HELP
Support that starts with you.
Choose the support that fits your plans, from understanding a market to finding a suitable property.
Ready to find the right property?
Property Finder
Turn your priorities, budget and preferred location into a focused search and a relevant shortlist.
Explore serviceDoes the investment add up?
Investment Advisory
Compare the purchase costs, potential rental income and ongoing expenses behind an investment decision.
Explore serviceWhere would you feel at home?
Relocation Consultation
Explore neighbourhoods, everyday life and housing options for your move abroad.
Explore serviceNeed clarity on the local market?
Local Expert Guidance
Work through local questions and coordinate the next steps with people who know the market.
Explore serviceTHE PROCESS
How it works.
Five steps, from your first questions to finding the right property.
Share your plans
Tell us your goals, preferred destination and budget.
Get local guidance
We discuss your priorities, explain the market and agree on the next steps.
Find suitable options
When you are ready, our local team helps build a focused shortlist.
View and compare
Visit in person or online, then compare the options with your adviser.
Move towards purchase
We coordinate checks, purchase and handover with local partners and specialists.
MAKE IT HOME
Living in Dubai.
A home that fits your everyday life, not just your property brief.
A neighbourhood for your routine
From city apartments to quieter residential communities, compare the setting with your work, family and everyday priorities.
Explore local informationConnections across the city
Metro, tram and bus connections can shape your choice of home. Check the actual journey from each property to the places you visit most.
Explore local informationRoom for family plans
Make schools, healthcare and nearby services part of your shortlist. Compare availability, fees and travel time before choosing a home.
Life beyond your front door
Beaches, cultural districts and outdoor spaces offer different ways to spend your free time. Choose a location that suits how you want to live.
Explore local informationBUILD YOUR PLAN
Investing in Dubai.
Different property strategies call for different questions. Start with your goal, budget and time horizon.
Rental homes
Explore a property intended for long-term tenants and regular rental income.
What to consider
Compare realistic rent with service charges, maintenance, vacancy and management costs.
New developments
Consider a property bought during construction with a staged payment schedule.
What to consider
Review the developer, project registration, payment terms and potential delivery delays.
Short stays
Consider whether a furnished property suits a short-stay operating model.
What to consider
Confirm permits, building rules, seasonal demand and day-to-day operating costs.
Business property
Explore offices, commercial units or industrial space around a specific business need.
What to consider
Check permitted use, location, fit-out costs and the terms of the intended lease.
Emaar Properties
Emaar develops master-planned communities alongside residential, retail and hospitality destinations.
1 project on Locaro
United Arab Emirates
Binghatti
Binghatti develops residential projects in Dubai, including collaborations with automotive and design brands.
1 project on Locaro
United Arab Emirates
OMNIYAT
OMNIYAT develops design-led residences, hospitality and commercial properties in Dubai.
1 project on Locaro
United Arab Emirates
Developer visualisationDeveloper BinghattiOff-plan
Mercedes-Benz Places | Binghatti City
Meydan, Dubai
- Collection
- 12 towers
- Homes
- Studios to 5 bedrooms
Developer visualisation
Developer Emaar PropertiesOff-plan
Creek Haven
Dubai Creek Harbour
- Homes
- 1–3 bedroom apartments
- Lifestyle
- Waterfront community
Developer visualisationDeveloper OMNIYATOff-plan
The Alba Residences
Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
- Architecture
- Zaha Hadid Architects
- Management
- Dorchester Collection
GOOD TO KNOW
Your questions about Dubai.
Practical answers for your move, investment or property search.
How do I choose where to live in Dubai?
Start with your daily routine: work location, school journeys, transport and the type of home you need. Share these priorities so we can compare relevant options.
What costs should I discuss before buying in Dubai?
Ask for a property-specific breakdown of registration, trustee and professional fees, plus ongoing service charges. The market overview above links to Dubai Land Department information; your total depends on the transaction.
Can I explore Dubai properties while living abroad?
Tell us where you are based and your timeframe. We can discuss remote consultations and available virtual viewings with the local team.
Can I compare ready properties and off-plan projects?
Yes. We can discuss how timing, payment schedules and intended use affect your shortlist. Review the documentation and delivery terms for each project.
Is the consultation process different for business property?
The process is the same, but your brief and the specialists involved reflect your needs, such as permitted use, access, fit-out or leasing requirements.