Buying Luxury Property in Dubai from Abroad

Can a foreigner buy in Dubai?

Yes. Foreigners, including people who do not live in the UAE, may buy in the areas of Dubai set aside for them. These include well-known addresses such as Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah. Before you fall in love with a layout or a view, we confirm that the building sits in one of these designated areas.

Our current selection spans 38 projects, from city apartments to sea-view residences and garden villas. Prices begin at AED 726,000, and the average price per square foot is AED 700-4,800, though light, floor height, setting and finish all shape what a particular home costs.

How ownership is made official

Outside the Dubai International Financial Centre, which keeps its own register, a sale is valid only once the Dubai Land Department has recorded it. The Dubai Land Department then issues the title deed, which is the document that proves you own the home. We walk you through each step so you know exactly when the sale becomes official.

Buying off-plan: what protects you

Many sky penthouses and new villas are sold before completion. A developer selling off-plan must be registered with the Real Estate Regulatory Agency of the Dubai Land Department. Your payments go into a project escrow account reserved for construction, not into the developer's general funds.

Every off-plan sale must also be recorded in the interim property register, known as Oqood, or it is void. We check that this registration is made for your purchase and explain it before you commit.

Costs beyond the price

Plan for more than the headline figure. Buyers pay registration and title deed fees to the Dubai Land Department, a service fee to the registration trustee, and any broker's commission. Once you own, you also pay service charges that cover the shared areas of the building or community.

Prices and official fees are quoted in UAE dirhams, the national currency, which is pegged to the US dollar. That peg is useful context if you are budgeting in dollars, and we can set out the full cost of any home in advance.

Buying when you cannot be there

If you cannot travel, a representative can complete the purchase for you. This requires a duly notarised power of attorney held by that representative. We help you understand what the document needs to cover before you sign it.

You do not have to choose from photographs alone. We arrange private one-to-one viewings, in person or by video, so you can judge the light, the layout and the finish of each home at your own pace.

Updated October 2026 · Data: Palmera