Buying property in the UAE as a foreigner: Complete UK guide

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for reference purposes only. All information on this page should not be considered financial or tax advice. You are also solely responsible for calculating and paying your tax liabilities depending on the applicable law. All tax saving strategies or decisions should be made after thorough research and consultation with a qualified financial advisor.

Considering a property investment in the United Arab Emirates? Perhaps you’re thinking of moving to glamorous Dubai, starting a business in Abu Dhabi or are looking for an investment opportunity in Ras Al Khaimah.

Whatever your plans, we’re here to help - with a helpful and practical guide to buying property in the United Arab Emirates as a foreigner.

This includes info on mortgages, fees and taxes, property prices, where to start your search and the pitfalls to avoid.

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Can you get a mortgage from a United Arab Emirates bank as a non-resident?

The first thing you’ll need to think about is how you’ll finance your UAE property purchase. Unless you have the cash upfront, you’re likely to need a mortgage.

The good news is that banks in the United Arab Emirates do offer mortgages to foreign citizens and non-residents.

For example, leading digital bank Mashreq offers home loans of up to 10 million AED to non-residents - although you can only borrow up to 50% of the total property value.¹ This means you’ll need a considerable deposit.

This is likely to be the case with other UAE lenders, who will also ask for lots of documentation to verify income along with other requirements. Some banks may ask you to upgrade to a Premier or Private banking relationship with them.

Taxes and fees for owning property in United Arab Emirates

In order to set your budget for the purchase, you’ll need to factor in legal fees, property taxes and other costs.

Here are the main ones to know about when buying property in the UAE:²

Tax/fee name	Amount
Property transfer tax (land department transfer/registration fee)	4% in Dubai 2% in Abu Dhabi
Legal fees	7,500 to 25,000 AED
Estate agent commission	2%
Mortgage registration	Up to 0.25% of the loan amount
Mortgage valuation fee	2,500 to 3,500 AED
Translator/interpreter fees	500 to 2,500 AED

As for ongoing costs, the UAE has no annual property tax, but you may have to pay annual service charges for building management (for apartments) or community fees (for houses).

What’s the property market like in the United Arab Emirates?

Property prices in the UAE have risen a staggering 85% over the last decade, and around 12% over the last year (to January 2026).³

Properties are selling faster and demand is healthy, even considering the boom in construction of new properties - with around 120,000 new units to be delivered in Dubai alone during 2026.⁴

Apartments dominate residential property listings, followed by villas and townhouses.

New builds tend to sell for around 10% more per square foot than comparable older properties.⁴

Can foreigners buy property in the United Arab Emirates?

Yes, foreign nationals can legally buy and own property in the UAE, but they can usually only buy within designated zones. For example, in Dubai, foreigners are permitted to own property outright in freehold zones such as Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, and Downtown Dubai.⁵

The rules on this vary between emirates though, so you’ll need to do some research - and get some professional advice - as you start your property search.

Can you buy property in the United Arab Emirates and get residency?

Yes, it is possible to get residency in the UAE through investment in real estate.

The United Arab Emirates has a Golden Visa scheme, which grants residency for 5 years to eligible investors who buy a property (or group of properties) worth at least 2 million AED.⁶ Other conditions apply.

So if you’re looking to move abroad and settle in the United Arab Emirates permanently, this could be the pathway to pursue.

📚 Moving abroad from the UK

How much are the property prices in the United Arab Emirates?

Now we come to the all important question - how much money do you need to afford a home in the United Arab Emirates?

According to cost of living database Numbeo, the cost of buying an apartment in United Arab Emirates is between 3% and 32% cheaper per square meter than the UK - depending whether you buy inside or outside a major city centre.⁷

Although of course, it really depends on the type of home and the exact area you’re buying in - especially considering the luxury real estate market in emirates such as Dubai.

Here’s a look at what you can expect to pay for an apartment in some of the main cities within the UAE:⁸

City	Average apartment price per sq m - city centre (AED)	Average apartment price per sq m - outside city centre (AED)
Sharjah	300,000	10,000
Dubai	26,588	14,846
Abu Dhabi	18,232	10,948
Ajman	8,308	6,153

Another thing to note when figuring out the price for property in the United Arab Emirates is that international transfers could get expensive, especially if the bank or provider adds a margin to the exchange rate to convert your pounds to UAE dirham (AED).

Consider checking out Wise to securely handle your large transfers with mid-market exchange rates and low, transparent fees*.

Where is the cheapest place to buy property in the United Arab Emirates?

If you’re property hunting on a budget, Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman tend to be the most affordable in terms of property prices - especially compared to the sky-high prices in parts of Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

If you do have your heart set on Dubai, you may find slightly cheaper prices in areas such as International City and DAMAC Hills².

Buying property in the United Arab Emirates as a foreigner - a step-by-step guide

Before you start your house hunt, it can be useful to know a little about how the process of buying property works in the United Arab Emirates.

Here’s a quick overview of the steps involved:

1. Get your finances in order

The first step is to work out how you’ll finance your purchase. This means setting a budget, getting a mortgage offer (approval in principle) and getting all your paperwork together.

You’ll also want to get your essential paperwork and ID documents together, and consider opening a UAE bank account.

📚 Opening an account in Dubai

2. Find a property and arrange viewings

Now it’s time to start searching for your dream home. You can use online property portals and/or local estate agents to find properties. We’ll run through some tips later on how and where to start your search.

If you’ve found somewhere you like, arrange a viewing as soon as you can, and start researching the area in the meantime.

3. Appoint a solicitor and carry out due diligence

While it’s not mandatory, it’s strongly recommended to find and appoint a property lawyer.

A personal recommendation is a good way to find a solicitor, but you can also find a list of English-speaking property solicitors on the UK Government website.

Your solicitor will act in your best interests throughout the transaction, carrying out all legal work, drafting and checking contracts, and carrying out crucial due diligence.

This will include checking for encumbrances, drafting and reviewing contracts, verifying the property title and ensuring that the property is legally allowed to be sold.

Importantly, it’s good to have these checks carried out before you make an offer on a property or commit to a purchase.

Your solicitor can also help you complete any processes and meet any conditions required of you as a foreign buyer.

4. Get a survey

If you have your eye on a property, you might want to book a building survey. This involves hiring a surveyor to check the property for structural or other issues.

If the survey flags anything up, you may be able to re-negotiate on price.

5. Make an offer

If you’ve found the perfect property and all checks/inspections come back clean, the next step is to submit a competitive offer to the estate agent. You can negotiate, just like in other countries.

Make sure you have proof of how you’ll finance the purchase, as you’re likely to be asked for it.

6. Sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

If your offer is accepted, the next step is for a sales contract to be prepared and signed. In Dubai, this is known as the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Your solicitor can help to prepare this document and carry out the rest of the legal work for the transaction.

Once all parties are happy with the terms, both buyer and seller will sign the MOU in front of a witness at the Registration Trustee’s office.

7. Pay the deposit

At the same time as signing the sales contract, you’ll also need to arrange a transfer to pay the deposit. This is usually around 10% of the total sales price.⁹

Another important piece of paperwork to be completed here is the No Objection Certificate (NOC). This needs to be applied for, and there’s a fee to be paid.

8. Complete the purchase

Now it’s time to work towards closing, which can happen quite quickly in the UAE.
It all happens at the Registrar’s Office at the Dubai Land Department. You’ll meet the seller there on the appointed completion date, bringing along your ID documents, NOC and MOU.

You’ll transfer the remaining balance, and receive your title deed along with the keys to your new property.

How can you find a property in the United Arab Emirates?

The two main routes to find property to buy in the United Arab Emirates are local real estate agencies and online property websites.

Property agencies and agents in the United Arab Emirates

It isn’t necessary to use a real estate agent to find a property to buy overseas. But it is recommended, especially if you’re moving to Dubai from the UK and are unfamiliar with the local property market.

A specialist buying agent or broker will be able to offer helpful advice and insight into the local market, and guide you through the buying process. They can also give you essential info on the designated zones where foreigners are permitted to buy property in the UAE.

However, there will usually be a fee to pay for this service, and you should make sure the agent is registered with the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA).

📚 Moving to Dubai

Property websites in the United Arab Emirates

A good way to get a headstart on finding a place to buy in the UAE is to look online. Great websites to find a house or apartment to buy include:

• Propertyfinder.ae
• Bayut
• Betterhomes
• Emaar (developer)
• Rightmove UAE/Dubai.

What are some of the pitfalls of buying property in the United Arab Emirates?

One of the main things to watch out for when buying property abroad are scams.

The very best way to protect yourself when buying property in the UAE is to consult an independent real estate lawyer. This is an expert who works just for you and has your interests at heart, rather than working for the seller or real estate agent at the same time.

The UK Government has a handy list of English speaking lawyers around the world.

Other key things to remember for a safe property purchase in the United Arab Emirates:

• Make sure you’re buying in government-approved ‘investment areas’ or ‘freehold zones’
• Make sure you only work with RERA licensed estate agents
• Be extra careful with off-plan purchases, as they are frequently targeted by scammers
• Have your solicitor carry out full due diligence checks to ensure the property can be legally sold and that there are no zoning restrictions preventing you from building/renovating
• Don’t be bullied by aggressive sales or marketing tactics - take your time, do your research and complete the process carefully
• Get an inspection/survey carried out if you have any concerns about the property.

How do you choose the right property in the United Arab Emirates?

Your dream home in the UAE will be the one that closest fits your search criteria. The most important factors will be location, the type of home and of course, how much you can afford to spend.

If you’re not already living there, it’s worth travelling to the United Arab Emirates to check out the specific town, city or state you’re interested in.

You’ll want to check out the local area and view properties, making sure to pay attention to local transport links and amenities.

Condition of the property

It’s a good idea to do as much research as possible before committing to purchase a property.

It’s not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended to commission a building survey or inspection. This will flag up any major issues and give you a better idea of what you’re buying.

Type of property

Apartments are the most common type of property in the UAE, especially in high-density areas like Dubai.

You can also find villas and townhouses, but these - especially the most luxurious - command a premium.

Buying off-plan from a developer is a popular choice, but you’ll need to proceed with caution and carry out your due diligence to make sure you’re not falling victim to a scam and that you’ll be getting what you pay for.

📚 Buying property in Dubai

Moving into your United Arab Emirates property

You're in the process of buying your new home, but there are a few tasks to complete before you can get the keys and move in. These include taking out insurance and setting up your utilities.

Insurance

It’s strongly recommended to take out a buildings insurance policy starting from your completion date.

Setting up utilities and bills in the United Arab Emirates

If you know when your completion date will be, it makes sense to get some essentials set up in advance of moving in.

A prime example is utilities, such as power and water. Get these sorted as early as you can, and the moving process should be a little smoother.

Renovating property in the United Arab Emirates

For some properties, some building work or improvements may be needed before you can move in.

Read our guide to building and renovating property abroad below, covering everything from planning permission to finding a local builder - and some of the main costs you can expect.

📚 Buying and renovating property abroad

Save on currency conversion fees with Wise when buying property in the United Arab Emirates

After reading this guide, you should have all the essential info you need to start your property search in the United Arab Emirates. This includes those crucial first steps such as finding a broker and searching online property portals, and getting your finances in order.

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Additional FAQs about buying property in the United Arab Emirates

How long can you stay in the UAE if you own a property?

How long you can stay in the UAE mainly depends on your visa. But if you’ve met the conditions of the UAE Golden Visa - including buying a property worth a minimum of 2 million AED - then you can stay in the country for at least 5 years.⁶ This visa type is renewable too, so you may be able to stay for longer.

📚 UAE Golden Visa Dubai

What is the minimum salary to buy a house in Dubai?

To get a mortgage for a property in Dubai, banks/lenders will usually ask for a minimum salary of at least 15,000 AED a month (around £2,968 in GBP).¹⁰ However, it depends on the asking price of the property you’re buying, as well as the lender and your residency status.

Is it cheaper to live in the UK or Dubai?

Generally speaking, it’s cheaper to live in Dubai than in the UK, with the cost of living around 33% lower (excluding rent) than London.¹¹

📚 Pros and cons of living in Dubai

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Sources used:

1. Mashreq - buying property as a non resident in UAE
2. Sands of Wealth - property taxes, costs and fees
3. Sands of Wealth - housing prices
4. Sands of Wealth - real estate market in the UAE
5. Sands of Wealth - rules for foreigners buying and owning land in the UAE
6. U.AE - Golden Visa info
7. Numbeo - cost of living comparison between UK and the UAE
8. Numbeo - prices by city
9. GOV.UK - how to buy, rent or let property in the UAE
10. Danube Properties - average salary needed to buy property in Dubai
11. Numbeo - cost of living comparison between London and Dubai

Sources last checked on date: 30-Jan-2026