Foreigners can buy an apartment in the UAE in freehold zones with no citizenship restrictions — the transaction takes from a few days to several weeks. Long-term rental yield is 5–8% per annum, short-term (daily) rental yield is up to 11–13%. Installment plans from developers at 0% with a 10–20% down payment. DLD fee is 4% (often split 50/50 with the developer on off-plan properties), administrative fee is $150–1,000. Agency commission of 2% applies only on the secondary market; off-plan properties have no commission. Residence visa from AED 750,000, Golden Visa from AED 2,000,000.
| District / emirate | Price from | Distance to sea | Residence visa threshold (2026) | Best suited for | What to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discovery Gardens, Dubai | $120,000 | 12 km | below threshold — AED 750,000 required | Quiet green budget-friendly district | Studios and 1BR for long-term rental |
| International City, Dubai | $130,000 | 15 km | below threshold — AED 750,000 required | Most affordable district in Dubai | Studios for rental income |
| Sharjah | $140,000 | 2 km | below threshold — AED 750,000 required | Family-friendly, more conservative lifestyle | Apartments for permanent residence |
| Ajman | $95,000 | 1 km | below threshold — AED 750,000 required | Cheapest emirate for property purchase | Studios and small apartments |
| Dubai Marina, Dubai | $380,000 | 0.3 km | from AED 750,000 — residence visa | Tourist district by the waterfront | Apartments for short-term rental |
| Downtown Dubai | $700,000 | 5 km | from AED 2,000,000 — Golden Visa | City center, prestige and investment | Luxury apartments with Burj Khalifa view |
| Bluewaters Island, Dubai | $900,000 | 0 km | from AED 2,000,000 — Golden Visa | Luxury island next to the Ain Dubai wheel | Premium apartments with bay views |
| Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi | $200,000 | 0.5 km | from AED 750,000 — residence visa | Business capital, market stability | Apartments in high-rise complexes |
No. If the seller is not the developer but a private individual, the Land Department simply will not accept the package of documents without a letter from the management company confirming that there are no outstanding service charges on the property. This certificate (NOC) is obtained by the seller — usually within 1–3 working days.
On the secondary market, a short agreement of intent is signed first, with a deposit of 5–10% — it fixes the price and terms but does not yet transfer ownership. The full contract with all payment details and the handover date appears later, before the visit to the Land Department.
For a ready property — almost immediately after paying the registration fee, within a few working days. If the apartment was purchased at the construction stage, the document will only be issued after the developer completes the building and all payments under the schedule are settled.
For cleaning of the territory, security, elevator maintenance, pool and common areas, the owner pays an annual service charge to the management company — from $15 to $80 per square meter. In budget complexes, the amount is closer to the lower end, in premium waterfront properties — to the upper end.
The conditions are stricter than for holders of a residence visa: down payment from 20–25% of the property value, the interest rate is typically between 3.5% and 5.5% per annum, and the loan term is up to 25 years. The bank also looks at age: the borrower must not be older than 65–70 years by the time of the final payment.
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