Buy Property in Dubai with Union Square House

Yes. Buyers of any nationality can own property outright in Dubai's freehold areas, such as Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, Dubai Hills Estate and Palm Jumeirah. You don't need a UAE residence visa to buy.

Budget around 6–7% on top of the price for a cash purchase. The largest cost is the 4% DLD transfer fee, followed by agency commission and trustee fees. Use our property purchase calculator for your exact figure.

Yes, several UAE banks lend to non-residents, usually with a larger deposit than residents and extra income documents. Getting pre-approval first tells you your real budget.

A cash purchase of a ready property often completes within a few weeks of signing Form F. With a mortgage, allow extra time for the bank valuation and approval. Your advisor gives you a timeline at the offer stage.

Off-plan sales are regulated: the project must be registered with RERA, your purchase is registered with the DLD (Oqood), and payments go into the project's escrow account. Checking the developer's track record still matters.

Property investors can qualify for a UAE Golden Visa above a minimum property value. Your advisor can confirm the current threshold and conditions for the property you are considering.

There is no annual property tax in Dubai, and individuals pay no income tax on rent or capital gains tax when they sell a home. Buying a residential property also doesn’t attract VAT on the price: the first sale of a new home is zero-rated and resales are exempt. VAT at 5% does apply to commercial property and to services such as agency commission. The main government cost when you buy is the one-off 4% Dubai Land Department transfer fee. Companies and commercial property may be treated differently, so take tax advice if you’re buying through a business. See what it costs to buy property in Dubai.

The main yearly cost is the service charge, which pays for maintenance, security and shared facilities in your building or community. It’s charged per square foot and varies widely between developments, so always check it before you buy. You’ll also pay DEWA for water and electricity, which includes a municipality housing fee, and some buildings charge separately for district cooling. Most owners also budget for home insurance and routine maintenance. If you rent the property out, add a property management fee if you use a manager, and Ejari registration for each new tenancy. Your advisor can give you the service charge for any property before you make an offer.

Rental yields in Dubai vary by community, property type and price, and are generally higher for apartments than for villas. Gross yields commonly fall between 5% and 8%, but your actual return depends on the purchase price, service charges, vacancy periods and whether you use a property manager. Your net yield, after these costs, is the figure that matters. We work out both gross and net yields for any property you’re considering, using recent rents in the same building. Read our guide to the areas with the highest rental yields in 2026 or try our ROI calculator.

Yes, you can rent your property for short stays, but you need a holiday home permit from Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, and the property must meet its standards for furnishing and safety. Some buildings and communities don’t allow short-term letting, so check the building rules before you buy if this is your plan. You can manage the property yourself or use a licensed holiday home operator, who handles the permit, guests and cleaning for a fee. Holiday lets can earn more than long-term rentals, but income varies with the season. Read Dubai’s short-term rental boom.

Yes, many buyers sell off-plan properties before completion. Most developers only allow a resale once you’ve paid a set share of the price, often around 30–40%. Once you have the developer’s NOC, the sale is registered with the Dubai Land Department, and the new buyer takes over the remaining payment plan. Fees apply, including the developer’s transfer charge and DLD registration costs. Whether a resale is worthwhile depends on how prices have moved since launch and on demand for similar units. Our off-plan specialists can advise on resale timing and value. Browse off-plan projects.

You don’t legally need a UAE bank account to buy property in Dubai, and many overseas buyers pay by international transfer. In practice, having one makes the purchase easier, because payments at transfer are usually made by manager’s cheques from a UAE bank. Buyers without a local account can often arrange these payments through their conveyancer or the trustee office. If you’re taking a mortgage, you will need an account with the lending bank. Your advisor will explain the simplest payment route for your situation before you make an offer. See buying property in Dubai from abroad.

Yes, property in Dubai can be bought in a company’s name, but only certain types of company are accepted by the Dubai Land Department. These include UAE companies and companies registered in some free zones and approved offshore jurisdictions. The company will need to provide its licence, constitutional documents and board resolution, and foreign company documents usually have to be legalised. Buyers often choose a company for privacy, succession planning or holding several properties, but there are setup costs and possible tax considerations. Speak to a legal adviser about the right structure, and your USH advisor will coordinate the purchase with them.

Yes, some developers and sellers in Dubai accept cryptocurrency, usually through a licensed intermediary that converts it to dirhams before the transfer. The property is still registered with the Dubai Land Department in the normal way, with its price recorded in AED. You’ll need to show where your funds came from, as anti-money-laundering checks apply to every purchase. Not every seller or developer accepts crypto, so it’s best to say early if you plan to pay this way. Read our guide to buying Dubai property with Bitcoin.

If you own property in Dubai without a registered will, the distribution of your estate may be decided under UAE law rather than your wishes, and the process can take time for your family. To avoid this, many owners register a will, for example with the DIFC Wills Service Centre or the Dubai Courts, which sets out who inherits the property. Owning through a company or adding a joint owner can also affect what happens. Inheritance rules depend on your circumstances, so take advice from a qualified UAE lawyer. Your advisor can raise this at the start of your purchase, so the ownership structure fits your plans.

Yes, two or more people can buy a property together in Dubai, and all owners are named on the title deed with their ownership shares recorded. Each owner needs to provide their identity documents and sign the sale contract, either in person or through a power of attorney. If you’re taking a mortgage, the bank will assess you as joint applicants, which can increase how much you’re able to borrow. It’s worth agreeing the ownership shares and what happens if one owner later wants to sell before you buy. Ask your advisor to set up the joint purchase correctly from the start. See how buying works with USH.