Buying a house in Dubai for expats

Whether you're looking to buy a house in Dubai as an expat or property investment for your next home, here's what you need to know from legal factors to professional advice.

The ‘2023 World’s Best Cities Report’ has ranked Dubai as the best city in the region to live, work, invest, and visit. Pair that with top safety, exceptional lifestyle options and a vibrant property market, and you've got a flurry of buyers wanting to secure a home in the emirate.

Maybe you're ready to buy your first Off Plan property, perhaps you're still thinking about it but want to know more about the process or whether expats can buy land in Dubai. Whatever your case, here are some things you need to know before getting started.

What expats need when buying a house in Dubai

The documentation needed will depend on whether you are buying as an individual or as a corporate entity and the payment method that you choose.

Individual buyer – You will need your original passport and Emirates ID. If you're not a UAE resident, you can only provide your passport as your identification.

Company or corporate entity – Properties can also be purchased through UAE based companies. In this case, you will need a list of documents including a Certificate of Incorporation, Board of Resolution, Power of Attorney for the designated signatory, and the personal documents mentioned above.

What, when and where to buy

Think about the purpose of your purchase – are you looking for ready properties or want to invest in Off Plan properties?

Dubai offers plenty of options from stylish apartments to spacious family villas, and modern townhouses. If you're still not sure about what you want, that's fine as well – an experienced Property Consultant will be able to give you informed advice based on your goals.

Choosing a real estate agency with area specialists will also make your life easier, they will help you answer the 'where' part of the equation and spot lucrative opportunities along the way.

Here are some popular areas for expats house buying in Dubai

• Palm Jumeirah - home to many high end hotels, swanky apartment blocks and luxurious villas, with the Atlantis hotels' and waterpark. Discover the average rental and sales price in Palm Jumeirah in our Q2 Market Report.
• Dubai Creek Harbour - combines upscale living with leisure facilities - featuring a waterfront promenade, centrally located park area, marina, yacht club and five star hotels. Discover the average rental and sales price in Dubai Creek Harbour.
• Arabian Ranches - offers a private and peaceful living lifestyle with world class facilities including shopping and dining destinations, lush parks and the popular Arabian Ranches Golf Club. Discover the average rental and sales price in Arabian Ranches.
• Motor City - home to the Dubai Autodrome and two karting tracks for racers and F1 aficionados. But, don't be fooled into thinking this area is reserved for motorheads - there's a lot more to the place than the name implies. Discover the average rental and sales price in Motor City.

Get viewing

Think about your must-haves – maybe you want to have a school nearby for the kids or need more than one parking space.

If you're looking for an investment property, you might find more value in the community and proximity to main landmarks (a holiday home with Burj Khalifa views can get rented in a flash).

Discuss these points with your agent before the search. During viewings, ask any questions you have and make sure you also have a look at the amenities and surrounding areas.

Factors to consider when selecting a property:

• Location
• Budget
• Developer research
• Infrastructure

Payment and paperwork

You've found the perfect property – now what?

Once you've agreed on a price with the seller or developer, your Property Consultant will arrange for a Contract B to be sent to you via the Dubai Land Department. Once accepted, the agent will arrange for a Unified Contract F to be sent.

As the buyer you will be required to hand over a 10% deposit cheque to your Consultant, which will be held until the transfer of the property is processed.

Fees included

Transfer fee — You will need to pay a 4% transfer fee to the Dubai Land Department. Some developers cover part or the full 4% as an incentive to purchase.

Agent Fee — An agent fee of 2% + VAT applies to the buying process.

Community service fee or maintenance charge — These fees are charged on a per sq.ft basis and usually range between AED 2 to AED 30 per sq.ft depending on the area.

Mortgage registration fee — For mortgage buyers a total of 0.25% of the registered loan amount must be paid to the Dubai Land Department.

Conveyancing services

We recommend choosing a real estate agency that offers specialised conveyancing services to help you with the progression of the sale, transfer of the property, coordination and facilitation of legal services and property resolution. Need help on this part? Click here to learn about how we can assist.

Our team of specialists charges a conveyancing fee of AED 8,400 including VAT.

Take the next step

Whether you are in Dubai or overseas, a professional real estate agency will make the buying process easier. From mortgage services and furniture solutions to conveyancing assistance and consultations, the haus & haus team offers all the support you need in one place.