Markets
Buying and renting a home in United Arab Emirates
- Coverage
- Tier 3: guide and links to local portals
- Prices in
- AED
- Floor area in
- square metres
Each fact below links to the official page it comes from. We have not finished testing this market yet, so confirm anything important with the source or a local lawyer.
Homes in United Arab Emirates are listed on
Homejourney does not list homes in United Arab Emirates yet. Prices on these sites are in AED.
Who may buy
In Dubai, a non-UAE national may own a home only in the freehold areas the Ruler sets. There they may hold freehold title with no time limit, or a usufruct or lease of up to 99 years (Law No. 7 of 2006).
Source: Dubai Legislation Portal (opens in a new tab) · Checked 11 November 2026
UAE and GCC citizens may own property anywhere in Dubai; foreigners may own only in the freehold areas.
Source: Dubai Land Department, frequently asked questions (opens in a new tab) · Checked 11 November 2026
Purchase taxes
Registering a sale in Dubai costs 4% of the sale price, shared equally by buyer and seller unless they agree otherwise. Registering a mortgage costs 0.25% of the loan.
Source: Dubai Legislation Portal, Executive Council Resolution No. 30 of 2013 (opens in a new tab) · Checked 11 November 2026
Loan limits
For an expatriate buying a first home to live in, a UAE mortgage can be at most 80% of the value up to AED 5 million and 70% above it. A second home or investment property is capped at 60%, and an off-plan purchase at 50%.
Source: Central Bank of the UAE Rulebook, mortgage loan regulations, Article 3 (opens in a new tab) · Checked 11 November 2026
Renting
Every Dubai lease must be registered with RERA through Ejari; courts and government bodies will not hear a dispute over an unregistered lease.
Source: Dubai Legislation Portal, Law No. 26 of 2007 (opens in a new tab) · Checked 11 November 2026
A Dubai landlord may raise the rent only in line with the Dubai Land Department rental index, with 3 months’ notice to the tenant.
Source: Dubai Land Department, frequently asked questions (opens in a new tab) · Checked 11 November 2026
To end a Dubai lease because the landlord will use, sell, demolish or renovate the home, the landlord must give the tenant 12 months’ notice through a notary public or by registered mail.
Source: Dubai Legislation Portal, Law No. 33 of 2008 (opens in a new tab) · Checked 11 November 2026