On a resale, fees and taxes come to roughly 6 to 7 percent of the price for a cash buyer, mainly the 4% Dubai Land Department transfer fee plus agent commission, and roughly 7 to 8 percent if you take a mortgage. Dubai has no annual property tax, but there are service charges.
Short answerThe one-off costs
These are the costs of completing the purchase. Rates are those published at the time of review and can change.
| Item | Rate | Paid by |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai Land Department transfer fee | 4% of the price | Usually the buyer (negotiable) |
| Registration trustee office fee | AED 4,200 incl. VAT at AED 500,000 and above (AED 2,100 below) | Buyer |
| Title deed, knowledge and innovation fees | About AED 270 in total | Buyer |
| Agent commission (resale) | Market convention 2% + 5% VAT, recorded in the RERA Form B; not set by law | Buyer or as agreed |
| Mortgage registration | 0.25% of the loan + about AED 290 admin | Buyer |
| Bank arrangement fee | Up to about 1% of the loan + VAT; varies by bank | Buyer |
| Valuation | Roughly AED 2,500 to 5,000 + VAT | Buyer |
Off-plan purchases have their own registration and payment-plan terms, set out in the developer’s contract, so read the off-plan guide before relying on this table.
The costs of owning
- Service charges. Charged by the building or community to maintain shared areas, set per square foot and varying widely. Ask for the current figure and recent history before you buy.
- Utilities and cooling. Some communities have district cooling billed separately.
- Insurance and maintenance. Budget for repairs and, if you are letting, periods without a tenant.
- Tax at home. UK residents may owe UK tax on Dubai rental income and should take UK advice.
Dubai does not charge an annual property tax on residential owners, but check the current position, as rules can change.
What UK buyers should add
- Currency transfer. Compare the rate your provider gives you with the mid-market rate, and leave room for the pound moving between offer and completion.
- Funds trail. Expect to evidence the source of funds. Start gathering statements early.
- Travel and power of attorney. Most steps can be done remotely, but signing in person or via an attorney may be needed.
Use the buying costs calculator to see each line in pounds with a ±10% currency band.
A worked example
A AED 2,000,000 resale bought with 20 percent down: down payment AED 400,000; DLD fee AED 80,000; registration trustee fee AED 4,200; title deed and DLD admin about AED 270; agent fee AED 42,000; mortgage registration, bank fee and valuation about AED 24,800. That is roughly AED 551,200 up front, about £113,700 at AED 4.85 to the pound. Fees and taxes alone are about 7.6 percent of the price with a mortgage, about 6.3 percent for cash.
Frequently asked questions
What is the DLD fee in Dubai?
The Dubai Land Department transfer fee is 4 percent of the property price. It is usually paid by the buyer, though the split can be negotiated in the sales contract.
Is there stamp duty in Dubai?
There is no stamp duty as in the UK. The main government cost is the 4 percent Dubai Land Department transfer fee plus registration fees.
Do I pay agent commission as a buyer?
On a resale the commission is market convention at 2 percent plus VAT, recorded in the RERA brokerage contract rather than set by law, and usually paid by the buyer. On new off-plan purchases the developer normally pays the agent.
Is there annual property tax in Dubai?
Dubai does not currently charge an annual property tax on residential owners, but there are service charges, and you should confirm the current position.
Keep reading
General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Fees, lending rules and visa criteria change: check with the Dubai Land Department, your bank or a qualified adviser before you commit.