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Buyer guide · 2026

Dubai property buying costs

What you actually pay on top of the price — every fee, and the 2026 rule that changes how you budget for them.

~7% totalDLD 4%Cash upfront
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The breakdown

What you pay on top of the price

Dubai has no annual property tax, but there are one-off transaction costs. Here's the full list.

Transaction costs

Buying costs — Dubai 2026

Budget roughly 7% on top of the price. Note the 2026 UAE rule that closing costs can no longer be financed into the mortgage — they are paid in cash upfront.

DLD registration
4% of price
Agency commission
2% + 5% VAT
Trustee / registration
~AED 4,000 + VAT
Admin & title
~AED 580
Mortgage registration
0.25% of loan (if financed)
Service charges
~AED 15–25 / sq ft per year

Dubai freehold prices have appreciated a median +62% since 2021 (DLD-registered, 2021–2025), and 2026 has settled into a steadier pace — many see this as the right time to invest in Dubai real estate. AiSHA confirms today’s figures.

Worked example

On a AED 2,000,000 apartment

Since 2026, these closing costs cannot be financed into the mortgage — they are paid in cash upfront. AiSHA gives an exact figure for a specific unit.

The numbers

Estimated closing costs

A rough all-in estimate — figures scale with the price and unit size.

DLD registration (4%)
AED 80,000
Agency commission (2%)
AED 100,000 + VAT
Trustee & admin
~AED 5,000
First-year service charges
By unit size
Total on top of the price
~AED 130,000–160,000
Common questions

Buying costs — questions answered

How much are the total costs of buying property in Dubai?
Budget roughly 7% on top of the purchase price: 4% DLD registration, ~2% agency commission + VAT, trustee/registration (~AED 4,000 + VAT), admin (~AED 580), and first-year service charges. On a AED 2M apartment that's about AED 130,000–160,000.
What is the DLD fee in Dubai?
The Dubai Land Department charges 4% of the purchase price to register the transfer, plus a small admin fee. It is usually paid by the buyer at transfer.
Can buying costs be added to my mortgage?
No. Under the 2026 UAE rule, closing costs can no longer be financed into the mortgage — they must be paid in cash upfront. Budget for them separately from your deposit.
Are there annual property taxes in Dubai?
There is no annual property tax. Ongoing costs are the community service charges (around AED 15–25/sq ft per year), and a 5% municipality fee on rent applies to tenants, not owners.
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