How to buy and finance a house abroad (UK guide)
Read our comprehensive guide to buying a house abroad, including how to arrange finance for overseas property purchases.
Buying property in Dubai as a foreigner
Whether it’s the allure of a luxurious lifestyle, the hot weather or the tax-free salary system, it’s easy to see why many UK expats move to Dubai.
If you’re interested in buying property in Dubai - whether to live in or as an investment property - read on.
We’ve put together a comprehensive guide to buying property in Dubai as a foreigner. This includes tips on starting your house hunt, how the buying process works and the latest property prices in the emirate.
If you’re looking for ways to save money on currency exchange when buying property in Dubai, check out the money services provider Wise. You can send large transfers with Wise for low fees* and great exchange rates - making it ideal if you’re sending a secure international transfer.
Buying property in Dubai 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 Dubai.
Here’s an overview of the steps involved:¹
1. Find a property and arrange viewings
The first thing to do is get your finances in order, setting your budget and getting your mortgage offer in place. You’ll also want to create a list of essential criteria, and areas you want to focus on.
Then you’re ready to start your search. You can use online property portals and/or local estate agents to find properties and arrange viewings.
If you find somewhere you like, it’s a good idea to move fast. Get that viewing booked in as quickly as possible, before someone else snaps up your dream property.
2. Make an offer
Once you’ve found your dream home, you’ll need to make a competitive offer or bid to the real estate agent or directly to the seller.
You might be asked for evidence of how you’ll finance the purchase at this stage, such as your mortgage agreement or a letter from your bank or lender.
3. 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). You might want to appoint a solicitor or conveyancer to help 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.
At this stage, you should contact your mortgage provider to finalise the financing for your purchase. You might also want to arrange for a building survey or inspection to be carried out.
4. Pay the deposit
At the same time as signing the sales contract, you’ll also need to transfer the deposit. This is usually around 10% of the total sales price.
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.
5. Complete the transfer
The completion of the purchase can happen quite quickly, and 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.
| 💡 Read more: How to transfer large amounts of money from the UK? |
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Can you get a mortgage from a Dubai bank as a non-resident?
Banks in Dubai do offer mortgage loans to foreigners, but the conditions, requirements and rates may differ compared to how it works for UAE citizens.
For example, UAE nationals only need to put down 20% of the purchase price as a deposit. For expats, the required deposit is at least 25%.² This means you’ll only be able to get a mortgage covering 75% of the total price. So, you’ll need to have plenty of savings put aside.
If you’re struggling to find a provider that accepts applications from foreign or non-resident citizens, you might have better luck with an international bank operating in the emirate, such as HSBC.
It’s not absolutely essential to open a UAE bank account in order to get a mortgage, but it might make the process easier.
In order to apply for your mortgage, you’ll need to provide certain details and documents. The requirements will vary between banks, but generally you’ll need valid ID, proof of salary/employment and the details of the property you’re buying.
Taxes and fees for owning property in Dubai
Alongside the agreed sale price, you also need to budget for the fees and taxes which may apply to your property purchase.
Here are the essential costs you need to know about for buying property in Dubai:³
- Property transfer fee - 4% of the property value (usually split between buyer and seller)
- Monthly housing fee/municipality tax - 5% of the annual rent value for tenants
- Dubai Land Department (DLD) fees - 580 AED admin fee for apartments and offices or 430 AED for land purchases
- Property registration fee - 2,000 AED for properties valued below 500,000 AED, 4,000 AED for properties valued above 500,000 AED.
- Dubai Land Department Mortgage Registration fees - 0.25% of the loan amount + 290 AED
- Estate agent fees - 2% of the purchase price
- Legal fees - approx. 6,000 to 10,000 AED.
The above are the fees and taxes which apply as a buyer, but sellers also have a number of costs to consider. Read more about selling a property in Dubai here.
What’s the property market like in Dubai?
Dubai’s property market is continuing to enjoy strong growth, recording significant increases in all key market indicators.
Sales values rose 30% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2024, while prices per square foot shot up by 14%. The number of sales transactions increased by 32%.⁴
This may not be the best news for buyers looking for a bargain, with both prices and demand high. However, it could be a good thing for investors, looking to put their cash in a property market that continues to perform strongly.
Can foreigners buy property in Dubai?
Yes, foreigners can buy property in Dubai, but only in certain designated areas. These include:⁵
- Western Dubai: Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Al Barsha South 2, Al Barsha South 3
- Eastern Dubai: Mirdif, Ras al Khor, Al-Qouz Industrial Area 2, Al-Qouz Industrial Area 3
- Central Dubai: Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Jaddaf, Umm Hurair 2, Al Rowyah, Emirates Hills 1, Emirates Hills 2, Emirates Hills 3
- Southern Dubai: Jebel Ali, Palm Jebel Ali, Sofouh 1, Sofouh 2, The World Islands, Al-Qouz 3, Warsan 1, Nad al-Sheba
You don’t need to live in Dubai to buy either freehold or leasehold property, as long as you purchase within these designated zones.⁶
This means that as a non-resident still living in the UK or elsewhere, you could potentially buy yourself a holiday home in Dubai. Or you could buy an apartment to rent out - that’s also permitted.
Can you buy property in Dubai and get residency?
You won’t automatically get residency in Dubai simply by buying property there. However, an investment in real estate can help you secure a residency visa - but there is a separate application process you need to follow.
There are three visas in the UAE which are linked to property ownership, each requiring the following levels of investment in real estate:⁷
- Three-year investor visa - at least 1 million AED
- Five-year investor visa - at least 2 million AED
- Five-year retirement visa - at least 5 million AED.
It’s important to note that as well as meeting the minimum investment threshold, there will also be lots of other eligibility conditions you need to meet.
Read more about the UAE investment visa scheme here.
How much are the property prices in Dubai?
Now we come to that all-important question - how much is property in Dubai?
The cost of living in Dubai is generally a little lower than the UK, and it’s the same story with property prices.
On average, it’s around 71% cheaper per square metre to buy an apartment in Dubai compared to London.⁸ Compared to Manchester, apartment prices are between 5-17% cheaper.⁹
And here’s a guide to what you can expect to pay per square metre if you choose to buy right in the city centre, or on the outskirts:¹⁰
| Average apartment price per sq.m - city centre | Average apartment price per sq.m - outside city | |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai | 17,859 AED | 10,428 AED |
Remember though that property prices will also vary depending on the type of property.
Another thing to note when figuring out the price for property in Dubai is that international transfers could get expensive, especially if the provider adds a margin to the exchange rate to convert your pounds. Consider checking out Wise to handle your large transfers with mid-market exchange rates and low, transparent fees*.
| 💡 Read more: How to transfer large amounts of money from the UK? |
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Where is the cheapest place to buy property in Dubai?
The two areas of Dubai considered to be the most affordable in terms of property prices are International City and Dubai Production City (IMPZ).¹¹
If you’re on a tight budget, you might find that a leasehold property is cheaper than a freehold.
However, you’ll need to make sure you understand the restrictions and conditions that come with purchasing a lease - this where you’re allowed to own the property for a set period of time (usually up to 99 years).
How can you find a property in Dubai?
There are a few ways you can find property to buy in Dubai. The main routes are real estate agencies and online property websites.
Property agencies and agents in Dubai
It isn’t essential to use a real estate agent to find a property to buy. But it can be helpful, especially if you’re moving to Dubai from the UK and are unfamiliar with the local property market.
Property websites in Dubai
You can also search for property in Dubai online, from the comfort of your current home in the UK. All you need is an internet connection.
To help you start your search, here are some of the most popular property websites for Dubai real estate:
- Propertyfinder.ae
- Bayut
- Zoom Property
- Emaar (developer)
- Rightmove UAE/Dubai.
What are some of the pitfalls of buying property in Dubai?
Generally speaking, Dubai is a safe place to buy property.
But things can still go wrong, and there are some pitfalls and risks to look out for, including the following:¹²
- Unreliable developers. It’s common to buy property in Dubai from developers, including properties that are still under construction. It’s important to check that your deposit is held in escrow, and that any brokers or sales offices you buy through are registered with the Real Estate Regulatory Agency Dubai (RERA). It;s common for payments to be requested in line with project milestones, so you might want to employ an expert to help you check that everything is being done properly.
- Can you afford your mortgage repayments? In the UAE, failure to pay debts is treated as a crime, rather than a civil matter. So it’s crucial not to overstretch yourself, making sure you can comfortably afford your mortgage repayments.
And of course, you should take all possible measures to protect yourself from scams and fraudsters.
How do you choose the right property in Dubai?
The right property for you will all depend on your search criteria. Namely, where you want to live, the type of home and of course, how much you can afford to spend.
If you’re not already living there, it’s worth making a trip to Dubai to check out the area you’re interested in.
Condition of the property
It’s a good idea to do as much research as possible before committing to purchase a property.
Unless it’s a brand new property, you’ll want 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.
Moving into your Dubai property
As you look forward to getting the keys to your new home, you’ll have a final few tasks to check off your list. These include taking out insurance, setting up your utilities and carrying out any energy efficiency renovations.
Insurance
It’s not mandatory, but it’s strongly recommended to take out a buildings insurance policy starting from your completion date. You might also want to arrange contents cover too, starting from the date you move in.
Setting up utilities
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 heating, power and water. Get these sorted as early as you can, and the moving process should be a little smoother.
Energy efficiency renovations
Purchased a property with an old, inefficient air con system or minimal insulation? You might want to spend some money on energy efficiency renovations, possibly before you move in.
This can make your property more comfortable to live in, and potentially save you money on energy bills.
And that’s it - a complete guide to buying property in Dubai for foreigners.
We’ve covered all the essentials, including Dubai property prices, how to start your search and what fees and taxes you’ll pay as a buyer.
After reading this, you should have a better grip on how it all works, and be ready to start house hunting.
And, if you want to save money while buying your new property in Dubai, use the Wise account to send your international transfer. It’s not a bank account but offers many similar features.
Here are the main benefits for using Wise: |
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Sources used:
- Property Finder - A Guide for the Legal Procedures to Buy Property in Dubai
- HSBC UAE - How to buy a property
- Property Finder - Extra costs to consider when buying a house in Dubai
- DXB Interact - Home
- Guest Ready - Buying property in Dubai: The 2024 guide for investors
- UAE Government - Expatriates buying a property in the UAE
- Muller & Co - Can I Buy Property in Dubai and Get Residency?
- Numbeo - Cost of living comparison between Dubai and London
- Numbeo - Cost of living comparison between Dubai and Manchester
- Numbeo - Cost of living prices by city
- New Way Real Estate - Introducing the cheapest areas and houses in Dubai
- Properstar - Pitfalls and Precautions When You're Buying in Dubai
Sources last checked on date: 09-Aug-2024
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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