The short answer
Buying a ready property in Dubai costs a little over 6% of the price in standard fees for a cash buyer, and roughly 7% to 10% once financing and other charges are included. The largest item is the Dubai Land Department (DLD) transfer fee of 4% of the purchase price. On an AED 2,000,000 apartment bought in cash through an agent, the standard costs come to about AED 126,780. The figures below use the fees set out in our guide to buying property in Dubai as a foreigner.
The fees, one by one
| DLD transfer fee | 4% of the purchase price, usually paid by the buyer |
|---|---|
| Title deed issuance | AED 580 |
| Trustee office (registration) fee | AED 4,000 plus 5% VAT (AED 4,200) for AED 500,000 and above; AED 2,000 plus VAT (AED 2,100) below |
| Agency commission | Typically 2% of the price, plus 5% VAT |
| Developer NOC (resale) | Varies by developer, roughly AED 500 to AED 5,000 plus VAT |
| Mortgage registration (if financed) | 0.25% of the loan amount plus an administration fee |
| Bank valuation (if financed) | Roughly AED 2,500 to AED 3,500 |
The first four apply to almost every resale purchase through a broker. The developer's no-objection certificate (NOC) is obtained by the seller, who usually pays for it; confirm this in the sale agreement. The last two apply only if you take a mortgage.
What it adds up to: cash purchase of a ready property
| Price | DLD fee (4%) | Title deed | Trustee fee incl. VAT | Commission (2% + VAT) | Total | % of price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AED 1,000,000 | AED 40,000 | AED 580 | AED 4,200 | AED 21,000 | AED 65,780 | 6.6% |
| AED 2,000,000 | AED 80,000 | AED 580 | AED 4,200 | AED 42,000 | AED 126,780 | 6.3% |
| AED 3,000,000 | AED 120,000 | AED 580 | AED 4,200 | AED 63,000 | AED 187,780 | 6.3% |
| AED 5,000,000 | AED 200,000 | AED 580 | AED 4,200 | AED 105,000 | AED 309,780 | 6.2% |
Because the title deed and trustee fees are fixed amounts, the total as a share of the price falls slightly as the price rises, from about 6.6% at AED 1 million to about 6.2% at AED 5 million. These totals exclude any developer NOC, service-charge adjustments between buyer and seller, and moving-in costs.
Worked example: AED 2 million with a mortgage
The Central Bank of the UAE caps a first-home loan to a non-UAE national at 80% of value for property under AED 5 million. Taking the maximum loan on an AED 2,000,000 property:
| Deposit (20%) | AED 400,000 |
|---|---|
| Loan (80%) | AED 1,600,000 |
| Standard purchase costs (table above) | AED 126,780 |
| Mortgage registration (0.25% of the loan) | AED 4,000, plus an administration fee |
| Bank valuation | Roughly AED 2,500 to AED 3,500 |
| Cash needed to complete | About AED 533,000 to AED 534,000, before the bank's own fees |
In other words, a financed buyer should have a little under 27% of the price available in cash, not 20%. Banks add their own processing and insurance charges, which vary by lender, and are usually more conservative with non-residents than the Central Bank caps suggest. Get pre-approval and a written fee schedule before making an offer.
Is off-plan cheaper to buy?
The upfront costs are structured differently. Off-plan property is registered on the DLD's interim register (Oqood) rather than with a title deed until handover, and the price is paid in stages on a payment plan, with buyers' payments going into project escrow accounts regulated under Dubai Law No. 8 of 2007. The 4% DLD registration fee still applies. Off-plan mortgages are capped at 50% of value, so a financed off-plan purchase needs a larger share of cash. Ask the developer for a full schedule of fees and payment dates before reserving.
Costs after you own
- Service charges: paid every year, set per community and published by the DLD. Ask for the current rate per square foot before you agree a price.
- Utilities: connection deposits when the property is handed over, then running costs.
- If you let the property: the tenancy contract must be registered in Ejari. See our landlord's guide to renting out property in Dubai.
- Management: if you live abroad, a leasing and management service to source tenants and look after the property. This is part of LMG's services.
How to keep the cost down
- Agree in writing who pays the DLD transfer fee and the developer NOC before paying a deposit.
- Check for outstanding service charges on the property; they should be settled by the seller before transfer.
- Compare mortgage offers on total cost, including fees, not on the interest rate alone.
- Budget from the total figure, not the asking price. A purchase that works at AED 2,000,000 has to work at about AED 2,127,000.
- Use a broker registered with the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA).
The Golden Visa threshold
Property worth AED 2 million or more can qualify for a 10-year renewable Golden Visa through the Dubai Land Department's Golden Visa service, for which DLD lists total fees of about AED 9,885 for the main applicant. If the visa is part of your reason for buying, add that to the budget and note that the application requires a title deed.
How LMG helps
LMG Properties is a Dubai-based real estate firm offering residential and investment property across Dubai, the UAE and selected international markets. Before you commit, the team sets out the full cost of a specific purchase, including the fees above, so that the number you agree is the number you pay. See our Dubai and UAE property page and our services.
Questions
How much are the fees when buying property in Dubai?
On a ready property bought in cash through an agent, the standard costs come to a little over 6% of the price: a 4% Dubai Land Department transfer fee, AED 580 for the title deed, a trustee office fee of AED 4,200 including VAT for properties of AED 500,000 or more, and typically a 2% agency commission plus VAT. Buyers who finance should budget roughly 7% to 10% in total.
What is the DLD fee in Dubai?
The Dubai Land Department transfer fee is 4% of the purchase price and is usually paid by the buyer. On an AED 2,000,000 property it is AED 80,000.
How much cash do I need to buy an AED 2 million property in Dubai?
A cash buyer needs the AED 2,000,000 price plus about AED 126,780 in standard costs. A non-UAE national taking the maximum 80% first-home mortgage needs a 20% deposit of AED 400,000 plus about AED 126,780 in purchase costs, AED 4,000 in mortgage registration and a bank valuation of roughly AED 2,500 to AED 3,500, which is about AED 533,000 to AED 534,000 before bank fees.
Who pays the 4% DLD transfer fee, buyer or seller?
In practice the 4% Dubai Land Department transfer fee is usually paid by the buyer. Who pays should be written into the sale agreement before a deposit is paid.
Is there an extra cost for buying with a mortgage in Dubai?
Yes. Mortgage registration costs 0.25% of the loan amount plus an administration fee, and the bank's valuation costs roughly AED 2,500 to AED 3,500. Banks also charge their own fees, which vary by lender.
What ongoing costs come with owning property in Dubai?
Owners pay annual service charges, which are set per community and published by the Dubai Land Department, plus utility connection deposits and running costs. If the property is let, the tenancy must be registered in Ejari.
Fees as published by the Dubai Land Department and the Central Bank of the UAE, checked on 2026-09-30. Totals on this page are our own arithmetic from those fees. They change from time to time; confirm current figures before you commit. This page is general information, not legal or financial advice.
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