A foreign citizen can buy an apartment in Dubai in Freehold zones without any restrictions on citizenship: ready-built property requires full payment, while off-plan properties offer 0% installment plans from the developer. The average rental yield (ROI) across different districts ranges from 6% to 9% per annum. The transaction process: selecting a property → making a reservation → obtaining an NOC → registering the deal with the Dubai Land Department (DLD) which incurs a 4% fee → receiving the Title Deed. Additional costs include an administrative fee of $1,100–1,400 and a 2% agent commission for secondary market properties. There is a 0% tax on rental income and capital gains. Prices start from $133,000.
| Transaction volume | Price growth per m² | Rental yield | Income tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| €160.4 billion for 2025 |
+8.3% average across Dubai |
6–9% per annum in USD |
0% for foreigners |
Buying an apartment in Dubai is available to citizens of any country — demand for apartments in the UAE increased by 34% in 2025. Real estate in Dubai can be purchased both on the secondary market and through new developments in Dubai with 0% installment plans.
For those who want to buy an apartment in the UAE by the sea — Emaar Beachfront and JBR offer apartments with a view of the Persian Gulf from $380,000. The strategy determines everything else. Rental and passive income: Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) (ROI 7–9%), Business Bay (7–8%), Dubai Hills (6–7%). Personal residence: Downtown, Marina, Palm Jumeirah — high level of infrastructure and service. Budget entry: Dubai South, Dragon Towers — studios from $95,000. Capital growth: off-plan (new developments in Dubai) in any actively developing area — potential of 25–35% by the time of handover.
The first payment is the booking fee, usually 5–10% of the price. On the secondary market, Form F (Memorandum of Understanding) is signed; with the developer — an SPA (Sale Purchase Agreement). When buying off-plan, your funds go not directly to the developer but to an escrow account under the supervision of the Dubai Land Department — the developer receives payments in stages as construction progresses.
Every real estate transaction in Dubai undergoes state registration with the DLD. The buyer pays a registration fee of 4% of the property value — a one-time payment. Upon completion, a Title Deed is issued — a certificate of ownership. Processing time: 5–10 business days.
The base currency of the UAE market is the dirham (AED), tightly pegged to the dollar. USD, EUR, AED, Bitcoin, USDT, ETH, and ruble transfers are accepted — through partner arrangements. Installment plans from developers are offered at 0% for the entire construction period. Popular plans: 60/40 (60% in installments, 40% upon key handover) and 70/30. We help consider both new developments in Dubai (off-plan from developers) and the secondary market — ready apartments with move-in immediately after the transaction.
The Dubai Golden Visa is issued for transactions from $545,000 and extends to the entire family; UAE residency visa for property purchases from $205,000 — for 2 years. After the Title Deed is registered — keys are handed over. If the property value is from $205,000, you can apply for a 2-year UAE residency visa. From $545,000 — a 10-year Golden Visa for the buyer and family members, including the right to work and study in the UAE. Renting out is possible immediately after receiving the keys.
| Parameter | Off-plan (new development) | Secondary market |
|---|---|---|
| Entry price | 20–30% below market price | Market price |
| Installment plan | 0% from the developer | Bank mortgage only, rate 3.5–5% |
| Wait time | 1–3 years until key handover | Move-in immediately after the transaction |
| Price growth potential | 25–35% by project handover | Moderate, depends on the area |
| Fund protection | Escrow account, DLD supervision | Title Deed and history verification |
| Main risk | Construction timeline delays | Legal clarity of the property |
We present the property via video call, prepare all documents remotely, arrange a notarized power of attorney through the UAE consulate in your city, and manage the DLD registration remotely. We deliver the keys and Title Deed by courier. From the first call to the completed transaction — without a single flight.
We accept USD, EUR, AED, Bitcoin, USDT, ETH. For clients from Russia, Belarus, and other CIS countries, ruble transfers are available through partner arrangements. Check current terms with your manager — they depend on the amount and the sender's country.
We work directly with Emaar, Damac, Nakheel, Sobha, Meraas, and twenty other active Dubai developers. This gives us access to pre-launch prices — 10–15% below the public launch — and to properties that are not publicly listed for sale.
We verify the legal integrity of the property, assist in obtaining mortgage approval (down payment from 20%, rate 3.5–5% per annum), register the transaction with the DLD, process your residency visa (Golden Visa, Residence Visa), and if necessary, put the property up for rent. One team handles the entire cycle.
| District | Rental ROI | For whom | Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| JVC | 7–9% per annum | Investors | Leader in yield, active development |
| Business Bay | 7–8% per annum | Investors + for living | Business center, stable long-term demand |
| Dubai Hills | 6–7% per annum | Families | Schools, parks, green infrastructure |
| Dubai Marina | 5–7% per annum | Tourism and short-term rental | High Airbnb demand, waterfront |
| Downtown | 4–6% per annum | Capital and status | Next to Burj Khalifa, high entry threshold |
| Palm Jumeirah | 4–5% per annum | Luxury segment | Limited supply, steady price growth |
| Expense item | Amount | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| DLD registration fee | 4% of transaction price, one-time | Buyer |
| Service fee (annual) | $9–87 per m² per year | Owner |
| Utilities | $250–350 per month (1 bedroom) | Owner or tenant |
| Brokerage commission upon sale | 2% of transaction amount | Seller |
| Tax on rental income | 0% | — |
| Capital gains tax | 0% | — |
Dubai is among the top 5 cities in the world by volume of international real estate investment. Foreigners are entitled to full ownership (Freehold) — without intermediaries, without nationality restrictions, without income tax. In 2025, prices in the primary market rose by an average of 8% per square meter, with rental yields of 6–9% per annum in USD. For clients considering a mortgage in Dubai, we select banks that approve non-residents — rates from 3.5% with a down payment from 20%.
| District | Studio | 1 bedroom | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JVC | from $120,000 | from $190,000 | from $300,000 | from $435,000 |
| Business Bay | from $205,000 | from $330,000 | from $490,000 | from $820,000 |
| Dubai Marina | from $245,000 | from $380,000 | from $600,000 | from $955,000 |
| Downtown Dubai | from $300,000 | from $490,000 | from $820,000 | from $1,360,000 |
| Palm Jumeirah | from $410,000 | from $680,000 | from $1,090,000 | from $1,910,000 |
| Dubai Hills | from $200,000 | from $310,000 | from $470,000 | from $720,000 |
| Dubai South | from $95,000 | from $150,000 | from $230,000 | from $325,000 |
Buying an apartment in Dubai cheaply is realistic: in Dubai South studios start from $95,000, on the secondary market — ready apartments from $120,000.
The transaction currency in the UAE is the dirham (AED), tightly pegged to the US dollar. Payment is accepted in USD, EUR, AED, as well as in rubles and cryptocurrency — check with your manager.
You can enter the market from $95,000 — a studio in Dubai South on the secondary market. When buying off-plan, the initial down payment starts from 10%, i.e. from $9,500. A purchase from $205,000 entitles you to a UAE residency visa, from $545,000 — to a 10-year Golden Visa for the whole family.
Below are three scenarios showing how the Dubai market works in practice. The figures are based on actual transaction data from the Dubai Land Department.
Purchasing a 38 m² studio in Dubai Hills at the end of 2023 cost $238,000 including the DLD registration fee (4%). After 13 months, the market value of the property rose to $330,000–340,000. At the same time, the apartment was rented out: annual income amounted to about $20,000–23,000, representing a yield of 8–9% per annum on the invested funds.
A two-bedroom apartment of 90–95 m² in Business Bay, purchased at the construction stage in early 2023 for $310,000–320,000, had risen in price to $410,000–420,000 by the time of the early handover. Profit from resale — $90,000–110,000 in less than a year without taking out a mortgage in Dubai.
A two-bedroom apartment in Dubai Hills, purchased in mid-2023 for $360,000–370,000, was worth $460,000–470,000 by early 2025. The increase in value over 16–18 months was 25–32%, excluding rental income. All residential complexes have a swimming pool, gym, parking.
Yes, without restrictions by citizenship. Foreigners can register property in full ownership (Freehold) in 23 specially designated zones — Downtown, Marina, Palm Jumeirah, JVC, Business Bay, Dubai Hills, and others. The Dubai Land Department (DLD) registers the transaction and issues a Title Deed — the official certificate of ownership.
Off-plan is purchasing an apartment before construction is completed. The entry price is 20–30% lower than the market value of a completed property. The developer offers a 0% installment plan — payments are spread over the entire construction period according to 60/40 or 70/30 schemes. The buyer's funds are held in an escrow account: the developer receives them in stages as floors are completed, not in advance.
Yes. Non-residents can obtain mortgage financing with a down payment from 20%. The interest rate is 3.5–5% per annum, with a loan term of up to 25 years. Required documents: passport, proof of income, bank statements for the last 6 months. We recommend checking the terms of the specific bank before signing the contract.
Based on the results of 2025–2026, JVC leads with a yield of 7–9% per annum in USD. Next are Business Bay (7–8%) and Dubai Hills (6–7%). For short-term rentals via Airbnb, Dubai Marina, Downtown, and JBR are the most in demand — high tourist traffic ensures occupancy of 70–85% per year.
The main expense item is the service fee of the management company: $9-87 per m2 per year, depending on the area and class of the complex. Utilities (electricity, water, cooling) — about $250-350 per month for a one-bedroom apartment. Property tax and rental income — 0%.
No. Demand in the market is supported by real factors: Dubai's annual population growth of 5–7%, record tourist numbers (17+ million visitors per year), and the relocation of international companies to the UAE. The government strictly regulates developers: investor funds are protected by escrow accounts, and all transactions are recorded in the unified DLD registry.
No. The transaction is conducted fully remotely: online property viewing, contract signing via notarized power of attorney, fund transfer, and registration of ownership with the DLD. The Title Deed and keys are delivered by courier service or through the UAE consulate in your city.
Yes. The base currency for transactions in the UAE is the dirham (AED), pegged to the US dollar. We accept USD, EUR, AED, Bitcoin, USDT, ETH. Ruble transfers are conducted through partner payment arrangements. Please check current terms for a specific currency with your manager — they depend on the amount and the sender's country.
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