Buying Property in the UAE A Complete Guide for Expats and Investors in the UAE

The UAE real estate market is open, regulated, and attractive to international buyers. Whether you're investing in an off-plan property in Saadiyat Island, Al Reef, the sustainable urban community of Masdar City or Al Reem Island, or alternatively searching for a luxury villa for sale on Palm Jumeirah, this guide will help you navigate the process.

UAE Buying Process – A Step-by-Step Guide

Buying property in the UAE is straightforward — especially with Polarius International Real Estate guiding you throughout. Here's how it works:

1. Select a Property or Off-Plan Unit

Our clients often begin with a search mandate, appointing Polarius International Real Estate as their exclusive buyer’s agent. We identify the best units across Dubai or Abu Dhabi — including off-market and early-stage launches.

For off-plan properties in Abu Dhabi & Dubai, we can provide:

• Interactive virtual tours
• Floor plans, interior previews, and projected views
• Access to development pre-launch pricing and phased payment plans
• Some investors choose to resell before completion, often securing strong capital gains (sometimes 15%-25% if they secured a unit(s) at the first launch phase). Other see the build through to completion, going on to achieve significant rental yields having the property fully managed as a hand-off passive income investment.

2. Review Payment Plan (for Off-Plan)

Off-plan properties in the UAE are typically offered with staggered property payment plans. For example, a 60/40 payment plan means 60% of the price is paid in stages during construction, and the final 40% is paid on handover. This allows you to spread payments over time, often aligned with construction milestones.

3. Sales Agreement & Deposit

Once terms are agreed:

• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for ready-made properties or Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) for off-plan is signed
• A 10% deposit is paid to secure the property

4. Due Diligence & NOC

We manage title checks and secure a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to ensure a clean transaction. We can also direct you to mortgage specialists which may be able to offer finance.

5. Final Transfer & Ownership

At the Land Department, final payment is made, and the title deed is issued. For off-plan, the title is transferred upon handover.

Costs of Buying A Property in UAE – Dubai & Abu Dhabi Purchase Fees & Taxes

• Transfer fee (4% in Dubai, 2% in Abu Dhabi)
• Agency fees (2% of purchase price)
• Legal/registration costs (AED 1,000–5,000)
• No annual property taxes
• Service charges (typically AED 12–20 per sq ft)

Visa Options for Property Buyers in the UAE

• Property Investor Visa (2-Year Residency Visa)
  Foreign investors purchasing real estate valued at AED 750,000 (approx. USD 204,000) or more may qualify for a renewable residency visa. This permits you to live in the UAE independently of an employer or sponsor, although official government guidance recommends verifying eligibility through federal immigration platforms. This applies only to completed residential properties (off-plan properties and commercial properties or commercial real estate are excluded).
• 10-Year Golden Visa (Real Estate Investor Category) Investors can be granted long-term residency (a Golden Visa for Real Estate Investors in Dubai or Abu Dhabi) by investing in property worth AED 2,000,000 (approx. USD 545,000) or more. The threshold can be met through a single property or multiple holdings totalling this amount. Notably, both completed and off-plan residential properties qualify, provided ownership or payment thresholds.
• Once property ownership meets requirements—such as having a title deed or completed payments, even under mortgage agreement—applications for the Golden Visa can proceed via official UAE channels.
• Residency Without Sponsor Work Visas
   These investor-based visas allow holders and their families to reside, work, and study in the UAE without requiring employment sponsorship. They can also sponsor dependents, including spouse, children, and domestic staff. The Golden Visa offers flexible residency benefits and long-term security.

What Makes Off-Plan Properties in UAE Attractive?

• Below Market Value price (BMV) particularly if bought during initial stages of launch.
• Lower upfront prices through staged payment plans
• Access to future-ready communities like Yas Bay, Downtown Dubai, Al Zorah, and Al Reem.
• High ROI — off-plan resale value often rises 15–25% by handover
• World-class amenities and infrastructure
• Property acquisition with Cryptocurrency options
• Strategic location Middle East connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa
• Properties in Abu Dhabi offer solid long-term rental yields of 5–8%, especially in popular expat areas like Al Reem Island or Khalifa City. However, short-term rental returns via platforms like Airbnb can exceed 10%, particularly in high-demand areas such as Yas Island and Saadiyat Island, where year-round tourism, cultural events, and Formula 1 attract a consistent stream of visitors.

Key Considerations for Foreign Buyers in Abu Dhabi & Dubai

• Buying property in UAE as an expat requires checking freehold zone availability. All properties offed by Polarius are eligible and within freehold zones within Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
• Buying commercial property in UAE is possible in business-friendly areas (e.g., Masdar City, Dubai Silicon Oasis).
• You cannot get UAE citizenship by buying property, however long-term UAE visas offer similar benefits.