Buying Luxury Property in Abu Dhabi

Where foreign buyers can own

Foreigners of any nationality, including those who live abroad, may own property in Abu Dhabi, but only inside designated investment zones. Saadiyat Island, Yas Island and Al Raha Beach are among those zones, and they include many of the sea-view apartments and garden villas our buyers ask about. Before we arrange a viewing, we check that a home sits within a zone open to foreign ownership.

For a sense of the market, the figure for price per square foot is AED 1,000-3,200, though it will vary a great deal between a city apartment and a sky penthouse.

How a sale is registered

The Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre registers sales and issues title deeds. The exception is Al Maryah Island and Al Reem Island, where the Registration Authority of the Abu Dhabi Global Market does this instead. Knowing which body applies to your chosen home helps you follow the process from a distance.

Costs beyond the price

Plan for a registration fee, which is due when the sale is recorded. If a broker is involved, a commission may also apply. Once you own the home, expect service fees for the building's shared areas, which matter most in towers with extensive amenities.

Ask us for the full list of charges on any home you are considering, so nothing comes as a surprise.

Currency

Prices and official fees are quoted in UAE dirhams, the national currency. The dirham is pegged to the US dollar, which many overseas buyers find helpful when comparing budgets.

Buying off-plan with protection

Many buyers who prize light, layout and finish look at homes still to be built. Developers must be licensed, and each off-plan project must be registered with the regulator, before any units are sold. Payments go into a project escrow account held by an approved bank, and the developer may draw on it only to build that project.

We can confirm a developer's licence and a project's registration with you before you commit.

Private viewings, from anywhere

Bigbirdluxe Residences arranges private one-to-one viewings, so you can judge the light, the layout and the setting at your own pace. If you are abroad, we can plan your visit around a shortlist chosen to suit your taste. Tell us what you are looking for, and we will propose homes that fit.

Updated October 2026 · Data: Palmera