Buying Property
Property Buying Costs in Dubai
Overview of all costs involved in buying property.
Updated: September 2026 6 min read
On top of the purchase price, budget roughly 6–7% for the costs of buying a ready property in Dubai through an agent — more if you take a mortgage. The biggest single item is the Dubai Land Department transfer fee of 4%. Here is every cost, who usually pays it, and when.
Dubai Land Department transfer fee — 4%
The DLD charges 4% of the property's value to register the transfer. Its sale registration service lists this as 2% from the buyer and 2% from the seller, but by market convention the buyer usually pays all 4%; agree the split in the MOU. For off-plan purchases, the same 4% is paid when the sale is registered on Oqood, the DLD's interim register.
Registration and title deed fees
- Registration trustee office fee: AED 4,000 + VAT for properties of AED 500,000 or more; AED 2,000 + VAT below that.
- Title deed issuance: about AED 250, plus small knowledge and innovation fees.
- These are set by the DLD and change from time to time — confirm the current amounts before you transfer.
Agency commission
If you buy through a broker, commission is usually 2% of the price plus 5% VAT. It is agreed with the agency, not fixed by law, so confirm it in writing before viewing properties.
If you use a mortgage
- Mortgage registration with the DLD: 0.25% of the loan amount, plus a title deed fee of AED 250 and small knowledge and innovation fees.
- A bank valuation fee and an arrangement or processing fee, which vary by bank.
- Life and property insurance required by the lender.
Costs after you buy
- Annual service charges, set per square foot for each building — check them before you commit.
- DEWA connection deposit for electricity and water.
- If you rent the property out, the tenancy must be registered through Ejari.
A worked example
For a ready apartment priced at AED 1,500,000 bought with cash through an agent: DLD transfer fee AED 60,000 (4%), agency commission AED 31,500 (2% + VAT), and around AED 4,500 in trustee and title deed fees — about AED 96,000, or 6.4% of the price, before any mortgage costs. Use the buying cost calculator to run your own numbers.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to buy a property in Dubai on top of the price?
Budget roughly 6–7% of the price for a ready property bought through an agent, and more if you take a mortgage. The biggest item is the Dubai Land Department transfer fee of 4%, followed by agency commission, usually 2% plus 5% VAT.
How much is the DLD fee in Dubai?
The Dubai Land Department charges 4% of the property's value to register the transfer, so AED 60,000 on a AED 1,500,000 apartment. For off-plan purchases, the same 4% is paid when the sale is registered on Oqood.
Who pays the DLD transfer fee in Dubai?
The DLD lists the 4% transfer fee as 2% from the buyer and 2% from the seller, but by market convention the buyer usually pays all of it; the two sides can agree otherwise. If you buy through a broker, you also pay commission, usually 2% of the price plus 5% VAT, agreed with the agency rather than fixed by law.
What costs do property owners pay after buying in Dubai?
Annual service charges, set per square foot for each building, and a DEWA connection deposit for electricity and water. If you rent the property out, the tenancy must be registered through Ejari.
Sources
Was this article helpful?