Off-plan property in Dubai

Yes. Under Law No. 7 of 2006, non-UAE nationals can own freehold property, or hold a usufruct or leasehold of up to 99 years, in areas designated for foreign ownership. Title is registered with the Dubai Land Department. Outside the designated areas foreign nationals cannot register ownership.

Designation is by plot. The original 2006 regulation named plots in 23 localities, including Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Emirates Hills and Jebel Ali. In practice the well-known master communities sold to overseas buyers, such as Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, Dubai Hills Estate and Dubai Creek Harbour, are freehold. Check the status of the individual project, because a few are leasehold.

Under Law No. 8 of 2007 the developer must hold buyers' payments in an escrow account opened for that project with an approved bank. The money can only be used to build that project and cannot be claimed by the developer's other creditors. Your contract must also be entered in the DLD's interim register (Oqood) under Law No. 13 of 2008; an unregistered off-plan sale is void.

Activity and prices fell from their 2025 peak. Cavendish Maxwell recorded 112,580 home sales in the first nine months of 2026, down 23% year on year, and S&P cited industry estimates of price falls of 5% to 15% between the end of 2025 and September 2026. October 2026 showed a 5% month-on-month rise in transactions. It is too early to call a recovery.

The main cost is the government registration fee of 4% of the purchase price, which Property Finder shows on every project listing. Budget separately for any agency commission, mortgage costs and administrative charges, and ask the developer or broker for a full written schedule of costs before you reserve.

The developer must follow the process in Article 11 of Law No. 13 of 2008: notify the DLD, which gives you 30 days' notice to pay. If you still do not pay, the developer may cancel the contract and keep part of what you have paid. The text we read allows up to 30% of amounts paid to be retained, but that text dates from 2014, so ask a lawyer whether later amendments apply before you sign.

It can. The UAE government's portal lists real estate investment of at least AED 2 million among the routes to a long-term Golden Visa. Visa rules change, so check the current requirements with the DLD or the immigration authority before relying on a purchase for residency.

The Dubai Land Department registers sales and issues title deeds. The Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA), the DLD's regulatory arm, licenses developers and brokers, approves the banks that hold project escrow accounts and regulates property advertising.