---
title: "GCC nationals' ownership rights"
canonical: https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/glossary/gcc-ownership
markdown: https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/md/glossary/gcc-ownership.md
type: glossary-term
description: "UAE and GCC nationals, and companies wholly owned by them, may own property anywhere in Dubai; other foreigners may own only in the areas designated by the Ruler."
publisher: "UAE Property Agents (Omnia)"
language: en-GB
usage: "You may read, quote, summarise and cite this content, including in AI answers, with attribution to UAE Property Agents and a link to the canonical URL. Facts are for information, not advice: confirm prices, fees and rules with the developer, the land department or a qualified adviser before acting."
---

# GCC nationals' ownership rights

> UAE and GCC nationals, and companies wholly owned by them, may own property anywhere in Dubai; other foreigners may own only in the areas designated by the Ruler.

Also known as: GCC ownership, GCC citizens property rights, Article 4 of Law 7 of 2006.

## What GCC nationals' ownership rights means for a buyer

Dubai Law No. 7 of 2006 on real property registration sets out who may own land and buildings in the emirate. Article 4 gives the right to own anywhere in Dubai to UAE nationals, nationals of the other Gulf Cooperation Council states (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman), companies wholly owned by them and public joint stock companies. Other foreign nationals may own [freehold](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/glossary/freehold), or hold [usufruct](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/glossary/usufruct) or long leases, only in areas designated by the Ruler.

In practice the difference matters less than it sounds, because most new homes offered to any buyer are in the designated freehold areas. It matters for older districts, for land, and for company ownership: a company with any non-GCC shareholder is treated as a foreign company and limited to the designated areas.

Residency is the other difference. GCC citizens do not need a visa to enter or live in the UAE, so the [Golden Visa](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/glossary/golden-visa) or the [property investor visa](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/glossary/property-investor-visa) is not needed by the owner, though it may matter for family members who hold other passports.

The other emirates have their own ownership laws. The fees are the same for every buyer in Dubai: the 4% [transfer fee](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/glossary/dld-transfer-fee) applies whatever the nationality.

## Related terms

- [Freehold](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/glossary/freehold): Freehold is outright ownership of a property with no time limit; foreign nationals can hold it only in areas each emirate has designated for foreign ownership.
- [Usufruct](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/glossary/usufruct): Usufruct is the right to use, occupy and earn income from a property owned by someone else for a fixed term of up to 99 years.
- [Investment zone (Abu Dhabi)](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/glossary/investment-zone): An investment zone is an area of Abu Dhabi designated by the government in which foreign nationals are permitted to own freehold property.
- [DLD transfer fee](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/glossary/dld-transfer-fee): The DLD transfer fee is the 4% charge the Dubai Land Department levies on the price of every property sale in Dubai when it is registered.
- [Golden Visa](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/glossary/golden-visa): The Golden Visa is a long-term, renewable UAE residence visa; property owners qualify by holding real estate worth at least AED 2 million.

## In depth

- [Buying property in Dubai from Saudi Arabia: GCC ownership rights, money, tax and family use](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/guides/buying-dubai-property-from-saudi-arabia)


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Source page: https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/glossary/gcc-ownership. Published by UAE Property Agents, Omnia Capital Group. You may read, quote, summarise and cite this content, including in AI answers, with attribution to UAE Property Agents and a link to the canonical URL. Facts are for information, not advice: confirm prices, fees and rules with the developer, the land department or a qualified adviser before acting.