Real estate
How to register a property purchase in the UAE
Each year, real estate in Dubai becomes more and more in demand. We have prepared a FAQ-style article answering the most common questions from clients about purchasing real estate.
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Overview
First, you need to decide on the type of real estate—apartment, townhouse, or villa—and the location. Not every area allows foreigners to purchase real estate.
Next, prepare the required documents:
- Identity documents (including Emirates ID)
- Visa (a tourist visa obtained upon arrival at the airport is acceptable)
You do not need a residence permit to buy real estate.
Can I pay with cryptocurrency?
Yes, but not every company offers this option. Developers who accept Bitcoin or Ethereum include: Damac, Ellington, and Samana.
“Keep in mind that developers often revise their policies on acceptable payment methods. Before planning a purchase, it is important to confirm the possibility of paying with cryptocurrency directly with the developer.” Artur Faniev Commercial Director
How to Verify the Real Estate Property?
There is an official app from the Land Department—Dubai REST.
In it, you can check:
- The license of the contracting company (only licensed brokers can close deals).
- The project’s completion status (if you are buying property under construction).
What Are the Benefits of Buying Real Estate in the UAE?
- No Property Tax The UAE has no property tax. However, there is a fee for changing ownership. Each emirate sets its own rate. For example, in Dubai, it is 4% of the purchase price. This fee is usually paid by the buyer. Additionally, there are administrative fees for property registration.
- Freehold Ownership Without Restrictions When buying real estate in Freehold zones, you become the full owner of the property and can manage it as you wish resell, lease long-term or short-term, gift, transfer ownership. This right will also pass to your heirs.
- Transaction Security and Government Oversight Authorities are interested in foreign buyers and new investments, so they closely monitor compliance with laws. Additional guarantees are provided by major developers involved in closing deals.
- Residency Visa After Buying Property When purchasing any real estate worth more than 2,000,000 AED, the buyer becomes eligible for a 10-year “Golden” Visa. This visa can also be obtained when buying property with a mortgage or installment plan, provided at least 1,000,000 AED has been paid. The property owner can be male or female.
The “Golden” Visa can be renewed indefinitely as long as you retain property ownership and comply with UAE laws.
“Important note: after buying property, we recommend not delaying the drafting of a will. If the property owner dies without a will, the property will be distributed according to Sharia law.” Alexey Romanov Associate
A complete roadmap for launching and running a business in the UAE — in our guide 'How to Do Business in the UAE?'
In the guide, you will find not only basic information but also expert recommendations based on real cases and deep jurisdictional knowledge:
- How to register a Mainland company
- Types of business licenses in the UAE
- What to do in the UAE after registering your company
- When a bank account in the UAE can be closed
- How to use cryptocurrency in the UAE
- All about UAE corporate tax and IP-Box incentives
Ready to discuss your project?
Leave a request, and we will contact you to clarify the details:
- Consultation on obtaining a residency visa for real estate purchase
- Full breakdown of all stages of real estate transactions
- Clear timeline and project budget
