How to buy a house in Dubai: US guide

Dubai is a popular choice for property investment. You can access low-tax properties in a range of stunning locations, including beach villas and urban townhouses.

Let’s take a look at how to buy a house in Dubai as an American, including everything you need to know about fees, taxes, and getting a mortgage in Dubai.

Heading abroad? Use Wise to send and receive your money overseas, with low-fee transfers to over 140 countries. Let’s dive in!

Table of contents
Can I buy a house in Dubai as a foreigner? How much does it cost to buy a house in Dubai? Buying property abroad? Send money the hassle-free way with Wise How to buy a house in Dubai: step-by-step Loans and mortgages in Dubai

Can I buy a house in Dubai as a foreigner?

Buying a house in Dubai is a relatively simple process. You won’t need a resident visa and you should be able to complete your transaction within roughly 30 days.¹

Foreigners can buy property in leasehold or freehold areas.

Leasehold areas are typically closer to the city center and you can purchase your property for a fixed period.

Freehold properties don’t usually have any time restrictions², but you may need to choose from designated land plots.³

There are a few popular areas to buy a house in Dubai, including:

• Dubai Marina
• Al Barsha South 3
• Jebel Ali
• Sheikh Zayed Road
• Mirdif³

Make sure to consult a local real estate agent to help you find appropriate properties for foreigners in Dubai.

Is buying property in Dubai a good investment?

The Emirates is a very investor-friendly nation. You may be able to purchase a home in Dubai without paying tax – and many residential properties are zero-rated or exempt from tax.

This can really bring the price down for investors looking to purchase property overseas.

You can also get a 3-year residential visa by investing at least 1 million Emirati dirham (AED) in property.

If you want to retire in Dubai, you may be able to access a 5-year renewable visa for purchasing property worth more than 2 million AED.¹

Dubai has a thriving tourism market, with plenty of rental opportunities and a 19.46% year-on-year price growth for properties in some areas of the city (2024).⁴

Let’s take a closer look at some pros and cons of buying a home in Dubai – everything you need to know.

Pros	Cons
Many properties in Dubai are tax-free in the traditional sense. You won’t pay income tax or inheritance tax³	You’ll still need to pay a one-time transfer fee for your purchase. You may also pay Value Added Tax (VAT)³
You should make a decent rental income from your property – the average rental yield in the UAE is 4.87%⁵	Choose your location carefully – some areas may not earn as much rent as others
You can access competitive property prices, especially compared to other cities like New York²	As a modern city, Dubai can be a great place to live, but it can also come with issues like excessive traffic and pollution⁶

How much does it cost to buy a house in Dubai?

So, how much are houses in Dubai? The cost of property can vary depending on your location and property type.

Let’s take a look at the cost of some popular locations in Dubai, including the cost of a house in AED and USD.

Area of Dubai	Price in USD (per sqft)	Price in AED (per sqft)
Palm Jumeirah	1,111 USD	4,082 AED
Jumeirah Beach Residence	1,054 USD	3,872 AED
Dubai Marina	505 USD	1,858 AED
City Walk Dubai	689 USD	2,532 AED
Downtown Dubai	766 USD	2,815 AED³

These prices are just averages – they’re not an accurate representation of exactly how much you’ll pay. Speak to a real estate agent for more information about pricing and property availability in Dubai.

How much money do you need to buy a house in Dubai?

You’ll need to ensure you have enough money to cover your house purchase, as well as any additional fees or taxes.

If you buy a property worth 700,000 USD in Dubai, you’ll likely pay around 28,000 USD in taxes. This is relatively low – in the US, for example, you’ll pay roughly 31,500 USD in taxes.³

The amount of money you’ll need will depend on the location and type of house you want to buy. For example, a villa in Palm Jumeirah will cost around 35,116,965 AED or 9,560,865 USD. This is a highly sought-after location for short-term rentals.³

In comparison, the average price of a property in Downtown Dubai is roughly 4,020,813 AED or 1,094,697 USD. This high-end location is known for its luxurious urban properties.³

If you’re planning on moving to Dubai, you’ll also need to think about:

• moving costs, such as transporting your belongings abroad
• annual property maintenance fees
• getting a mortgage for your new home

Make sure to look into all these costs, fees, and taxes before purchasing a new house in Dubai.

Dubai property taxes and fees

Despite Dubai’s low-tax status, you’ll still pay a few taxes for your Dubai property purchase. Let’s take a closer look.

Tax or fee	Cost
Dubai Land Department (DLD) transfer fees	4% – buyer may only have to pay 2%. The seller will cover the other 2%¹
Brokerage fees	2% fee paid to your real estate agent¹
Property registration fees	You’ll pay around 4000 AED to the DLD for properties over 500,000 AED¹
Mortgage registration fees	0.25% of your loan value¹
Issue the title deed for the property	Roughly 500 AED¹
Deposit or down payment	Foreigners will typically need to put down a 25% deposit¹
Exchange rate transfer fees	If you’re paying your deposit in AED, many banks will charge an exchange rate markup to convert your USD Get the most AED from your USD by using Wise, a cheap and transparent way to move your money abroad. Save on international payments

💡You may also be able to reduce these costs by opening a bank account in Dubai.

Buying property abroad? Send money the hassle-free way with Wise

Now that we covered some of the basics, the only question left is: how to send money to pay for your property overseas?

Wise offers you a quick, secure, and transparent way of sending money to Portugal. You get the mid-market exchange rate for your payments and see how much it’s charged for the transfer before sending the money from your bank.

With the Wise Account, you can also hold 40+ currencies, spend money in 150+ countries, and receive like a local in 9 different currencies.

Get started with Wise

Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up-to-date pricing and fee information

How to buy a house in Dubai: step-by-step

Buying a home in Dubai is a great investment opportunity for foreigners. You can purchase property without paying high taxes – and you can make a decent rental income from tourists year-round.

Let’s take a look at exactly how to buy a house in Dubai, including tips to navigate the Dubai property-purchase process.

Look for your house

First, you’ll need to find your dream property. Foreigners can only buy in certain areas, so make sure to do your research before getting started.

The right house for you will depend on what you need. Do you want a family home? Are you looking for an investment property? Look into all your options.

Use online resources like Property Finder® or Bayut®, ask for recommendations from your real estate agent, and drive around your ideal location to find your house.

Consult a real estate agent

You’ll need to speak to a real estate agent to help you navigate the Dubai property market. Your agent will find houses that fit your criteria, give you local insights, and negotiate a fair price for your new home.

You may also want to consult a lawyer, a financial advisor, and a mortgage broker for further advice and support.

Sort out your finances

As a foreigner, you’ll need to ensure you can secure pre-approval for your overseas mortgage before buying property in Dubai.

Speak to a broker or international mortgage lender to help you sort out your finances.

Gather your documents

You may need a few key documents or pieces of information to complete your property transfer, such as the original title deed for your property.²

You’ll need to sign a Real Estate Sale Agreement – and you’ll typically do this at your local Registration Trustee’s office.²

You’ll also need a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to declare agreement of the sale between you and the seller. In some cases, you’ll also need a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your property developer.¹

Pay your deposit

Paying your deposit is an important step in the buying process. This will secure your property and show your intent to purchase.

Although Dubai residents will only need to put down 10% in advance, foreigners will likely need a 25% down payment to purchase property.¹

If you want to buy an off-plan property directly from a developer, you may need to cover from 10% to 50% in your deposit.¹

Register with the DLD

Visit your local Dubai Land Department Transfer Office to complete the transfer process. You may need to pay your property transfer fees at this time, too.

The Registrar’s Office can help you officially transfer ownership of your new property. You’ll also get a new title deed in your name.²

Loans and mortgages in Dubai

If you want to buy property in Dubai from the USA, you may need to take out a non-resident mortgage to cover the costs of your purchase.

There are a few different mortgage types available in Dubai. For example, you can get a fixed-rate mortgage for a set rate of interest. A variable rate mortgage means the amount of interest you’ll pay will change based on the market rate.

You can also access a discounted-rate mortgage if you meet certain conditions, such as being a first-time buyer.

In the UAE, many lenders offer capped mortgages. These are variable-rate mortgages, but you can add a maximum cap to your rate of interest. This means that, even if interest rates increase above this cap, you won’t end up paying more.⁷

Let’s take a look at how to apply for a non-resident mortgage in Dubai – step-by-step.

Step 1. First, you’ll need to choose the right mortgage for you. You may want to work with a mortgage consultant and broker in Dubai

Step 2. Fill out an application form and submit any paperwork to get pre-approval for your loan. The bank will either approve or deny your mortgage

Step 3. Find your dream property and let your agent help you negotiate the right purchase price for your budget

Step 4. Pay your security deposit – typically up to 25% of the purchase price

Step 5. Work with your bank, broker, and real estate agent to process your overseas mortgage⁷

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There are lots of beautiful and affordable properties available for purchase in Dubai. You can buy a townhouse in Downtown Dubai or check out villas in Palm Jumeirah. There’s something for everyone!

However, it pays to be prepared. Make sure to follow the correct procedures for your purchase and always look into the fees and costs of buying a house abroad.

To explore your low-fee global spending options, check out Wise.

Sources

1. Proper Star - How to buy property in Dubai if you’re not a resident
2. Engel Voelkers - How to buy a property in Dubai as a foreigner
3. Guest Ready - Buying property in Dubai
4. Global Property Guide - UAE’s residential property market analysis 2025
5. Global Property Guide - Gross rental yields in UAE
6. Profitable Venture - 10 pros and cons of buying a property in Dubai
7. Engel Voelkers - Understanding Dubai mortgage options for non-residents

Sources checked 03/20/2025