Space & layout
Compare usable space, natural light, storage, parking and condition. Check whether the layout works for the people who will use it.
RESIDENTIAL GUIDE
Dubai apartments for sale
Buying an apartment in Dubai starts with the right area, building and budget. Compare ready and off-plan options, understand ongoing costs, then plan a search around your life or investment goals.
Start with your budget and priorities. You do not need a property shortlist yet.
START WITH YOUR PLANS
How will you use your apartment?
Start with what you want to achieve in Dubai. We use your situation to discuss areas, costs and practical requirements before narrowing a property brief.
YOUR PERSONAL BRIEF
Choose around your daily life.
Start with your household, routine and move-in date. These priorities help narrow the location and building.
- Bedrooms, layout and space for your household
- Journeys to work, school and everyday essentials
- Move-in timing, building facilities and ongoing costs
BEFORE YOU CHOOSE
Four things to compare before you buy.
Use the same criteria for every apartment, so a strong first impression does not hide the practical details.
Building & costs
Ask for the building’s service charges, what they cover and any planned work. Look at maintenance and facilities as well as the apartment.
Location & access
Test the journey from the building entrance to work, school or transport. Visit at different times to understand traffic and noise.
Price & terms
Compare the total purchase budget, payment dates and included items. Check the apartment’s occupancy and agreed handover terms.
Useful checks & sources
Dubai Land Department · Service Charge IndexYOUR PURCHASE OPTIONS
Ready or off-plan?
Both can fit a home or an investment plan. The key differences are what you can inspect, when you can use it and how the payments work.
Ready apartment
Evaluate an existing home and building.
- What you can assess
- View the actual layout, condition, outlook and shared facilities. Ask about existing occupants and when the apartment can be handed over.
- Budget & timing
- Confirm the purchase and financing schedule, any refurbishment, and the date you need access.
- What to check
- Review ownership documents, service charges, maintenance history and the agreed sale terms with the local team.
Off-plan apartment
Assess a project before it is completed.
- What you can assess
- Compare the agreed plans, specifications and project location. A show apartment or rendering is a reference, not the finished unit.
- Budget & timing
- Map every instalment against your budget, including the handover payment. Allow for uncertainty in the delivery timeline.
- What to check
- Check the project’s registration and status, escrow details, developer track record and contract terms before committing.
Understand the market and the costs.
Use Dubai-wide activity as context, then check costs for the specific apartment. The figures below are not apartment valuations or forecasts of rental returns.
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%
- 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 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
Developer visualisation
Developer 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 visualisation
Developer OMNIYATOff-plan
The Alba Residences
Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
- Architecture
- Zaha Hadid Architects
- Management
- Dorchester Collection
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
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.
GOOD TO KNOW
Questions about apartments in Dubai.
Start with the practical questions that matter for your search.
What should I prepare for the first conversation?
Your approximate purchase budget, intended use and timing are enough to start. Add preferred areas, bedrooms and any essential requirements. If you are still comparing locations or property types, tell us what you are unsure about.
What if I have not chosen an area in Dubai?
Start with the places you need to reach, your preferred surroundings and your budget. For an investment, add the type of tenant and rental model you have in mind. The local team can use this brief to narrow the areas before comparing individual apartments.
What costs should I budget for beyond the apartment price?
Ask for an itemised estimate of registration and transaction fees, any financing expenses, and recurring building charges. Allow for furnishing, maintenance or property management where relevant. Confirm the amounts for the specific apartment and transaction.
Can I organise my search from abroad?
Yes. You can begin with a remote consultation. Ask the local team which virtual viewings and document checks are available, and what would need to be arranged in person or through an authorised representative.
Are all available apartments shown on this page?
No. The project cards introduce selected developments. The apartment shortlist depends on your brief and current availability, including the layouts, prices and terms confirmed by the local team.
Who will be my point of contact?
Locaro coordinates your brief and stays involved while local specialists help with market questions, property options and the purchase process. We clarify who handles each next step so you know whom to contact.