Buying Off-Plan Property in Dubai

Who can buy, and where

Foreigners, including people who do not live in the UAE, may buy property in areas of Dubai set aside for them. Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah are among them. If you are drawn to the waterfront islands or to quieter, low-density buildings, the first step is simply to confirm that your preferred address sits within one of these designated areas.

How an off-plan purchase is protected

Buying off-plan means purchasing directly from the developer before the home is finished. Dubai places several safeguards around this. A developer selling off-plan must be registered with the Real Estate Regulatory Agency of the Dubai Land Department. Your instalments are paid into a project escrow account reserved for construction, rather than into the developer's general funds.

Every off-plan sale must also be recorded in the Dubai Land Department's interim property register, known as Oqood. A sale that is not recorded there is void, so we always check that this step is completed for you.

Title deeds and registration

Outside the Dubai International Financial Centre, which keeps its own register, a sale is valid only once the Dubai Land Department has recorded it. The Department is also the body that issues the title deed. If a home lies within the financial centre, the register is different, and we will explain what that means before you decide.

Costs beyond the price

Besides the purchase price, buyers pay the Dubai Land Department's registration and title deed fees, along with a service fee to the registration trustee. A broker's commission may apply as well. Once you own the home, you will also pay service charges for the shared areas of the building. It is worth asking about these early, especially in buildings with generous amenities.

Prices and official fees are quoted in UAE dirhams, the national currency, which is pegged to the US dollar. If you are budgeting in another currency, keep exchange rates in mind.

Buying from abroad

You do not need to be in Dubai to complete a purchase. A buyer who cannot attend may act through a representative holding a duly notarised power of attorney. We will walk you through payment plans and handover dates calmly and in plain terms, so that each step is clear before you commit.

Updated October 2026 · Data: Palmera