Foreign Buyer's Guide to Buying Property in Dubai

## Eligibility Foreign nationals can buy freehold property in any of Dubai's 60+ designated freehold zones. There is no minimum spend, no residency requirement and no need for a local sponsor. ## Total Costs Budget 6–8% of the property value for transaction costs: 4% Dubai Land Department transfer fee, ~2% agency commission, AED 4,000–5,000 trustee office fee, NOC certificate fee, and conveyancing if you use a lawyer. Mortgage buyers add a further ~1% for valuation and registration. ## Financing Non-resident buyers can typically borrow 50% LTV from UAE banks. Resident expats receive up to 80% LTV on a first home below AED 5m. Rates currently sit at 4.5–6.5% depending on tenor and salary transfer. ## Golden Visa Property worth AED 2m+ qualifies the buyer for the renewable 10-year Golden Visa. The visa covers spouse, children and parents, and can be obtained in as little as 2 weeks via the Dubai REST app.