Dubai combines no annual property tax and no personal income tax with a market that moves quickly and relies heavily on off-plan sales. Foreign buyers can own outright in designated freehold areas, and a large enough purchase can support a long-term residence visa. This page explains the headline figure, the costs at purchase and what ownership costs each year.
What the headline figure means
Poyzo’s working figure for Dubai is about €3,600 per m², a rounded average converted from dirhams. The dirham is pegged to the US dollar, so for euro-based buyers the euro–dollar rate moves the figure. Branded towers and waterfront communities sit far above the average; communities further inland sit below. Dubai listings quote square feet and often include balconies in the stated area.
Costs on top of the price
| Item | Typical amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai Land Department transfer fee | 4% of the price | Paid at transfer. On some off-plan purchases, developers cover part of it as an incentive. |
| Registration and title deed fees | Fixed fees, several thousand dirhams | Charged by the DLD and the registration trustee. |
| Agent commission | Typically 2% + 5% VAT | Usually paid by the buyer on resale purchases. |
| Mortgage registration | 0.25% of the loan + fixed fee | Only if financed; banks also charge processing fees. |
Rules that affect owners
- Freehold areas. Foreign nationals can buy freehold only in designated areas, which include most of the well-known residential communities.
- Golden Visa. Property worth at least AED 2 million in approved areas can support a 10-year UAE residence visa. The buyer must show sufficient equity even when part of the purchase is mortgaged, and the visa has its own fees, medical and insurance requirements.
- Off-plan purchases are registered with the DLD and paid in instalments tied to the developer’s escrow account. Check the developer’s track record, the escrow arrangements and the handover date.
- Short-term letting requires a holiday-home permit from Dubai’s tourism authority.
Running costs after you buy
- No annual property tax is charged on residential property.
- Service charges are set per square foot for each community and are published by the DLD’s service charge index. In buildings with extensive facilities they are a large annual cost.
- Housing fee. A municipality housing fee based on the property’s annual rental value is collected through the utility bill of whoever occupies the home.
Worked example: what €400,000 buys
At €3,600 per m², €400,000 corresponds to roughly 111 m² at the city average. At current exchange rates that is around AED 1.6 million, below the AED 2 million Golden Visa threshold. Budget separately for the 4% transfer fee, the agent’s commission and fees, and for annual service charges, which reduce net rental income considerably in amenity-heavy towers.
Sources: Dubai Land Department (transfer and registration fees, service charge index), UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (Golden Visa), Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (holiday homes). Figures checked October 2026.
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Information only. This page explains how buying costs and rules are structured. It is not financial, tax, legal or immigration advice and it is not a recommendation to buy any property. Rates and rules change; confirm anything that affects a decision with the relevant authority or a qualified local professional.
Last updated: October 14, 2026