How much is the property registration fee in Abu Dhabi?
For an off-plan unit, registration costs 2% of the sale price (1% for musataha) plus a 400 AED e-services fee. For a completed property, it is 2% plus 875 AED. Who pays is set by the SPA.
For an off-plan unit in Abu Dhabi, registration costs 2% of the sale price for ownership, or 1% for musataha, plus a 400 AED "Electronic Administrative Services Allowance" (excluding 5% VAT). For a completed property, the fee is 2% of the contract value plus an 875 AED e-services fee. In both cases, who actually pays, buyer, developer, or a split, is fixed in the sale and purchase agreement (SPA), not by a default rule.
Off-plan: the developer registers, the clock runs on 21 days
On the DARI platform run by the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC), the developer alone initiates registration of an off-plan sale, not the buyer. The developer faces a 10,000 AED penalty if the sale is not registered within 21 days of the sale date, and a project escrow account must be in place throughout. The outcome is a pre-registration certificate confirming ownership or musataha/usufruct status, downloadable by both the developer and the buyer.
What 2% actually looks like in AED
Applied to the published entry prices in Orven's Abu Dhabi collection:
| Entry price | 2% registration fee |
|---|---|
| AED 1.6 million (Muheira) | AED 32,000 |
| AED 2.8 million (SENSI) | AED 56,000 |
| AED 6.6 million (Nawayef East) | AED 132,000 |
These figures apply the published percentage to the published starting price of each project; they are not a quote for a specific unit, and your adviser confirms the exact figure once a unit and its final price are set.
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Completed property and mortgage fees
For a completed sale, registration is 2% of the contract value plus an 875 AED e-services fee. A mortgage release costs 900 AED plus a 55 AED e-services fee, and mortgage registration itself carries a separate 450 AED e-services fee, with the registration fee amount not quantified on the source we reviewed.
What is not published
Agency commission, service charges and connection fees are not sourced on DARI or ADREC pages and are confirmed with your adviser rather than quoted here. Who pays the 2% between buyer and developer is likewise a contract term, not a fixed split, so check the SPA before assuming either side covers it by default. For how a differently structured registration fee works in a neighbouring emirate, see our comparison of Ras Al Khaimah against Dubai property investment.
Moving forward with Orven
Message Orven on WhatsApp at +971 52 776 1939 or at sales@orvenproperties.com with the project you are considering. Your adviser confirms the exact registration cost and who pays it before you sign.
FAQ
Is the 2% registration fee the same for every type of ownership? No. It is 2% for ownership and 1% for musataha on an off-plan sale. A completed property is registered at 2% of the contract value regardless.
Who pays the registration fee, the buyer or the developer? It is set out in the sale and purchase agreement for each project. There is no default rule assigning it to either side.
What happens if the developer misses the 21-day registration window? The developer, not the buyer, faces a 10,000 AED penalty for late registration of an off-plan sale.
Does the 2% include VAT? No. The 400 AED e-services fee for off-plan registration excludes the standard 5% VAT, which is confirmed separately with your adviser.
ORVEN PROPERTIES
Talk to an Orven adviser
Leave your number: an adviser calls you back or replies on WhatsApp, in your language. No commitment.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2% registration fee the same for every type of ownership?
No. It is 2% for ownership and 1% for musataha on an off-plan sale. A completed property is registered at 2% of the contract value regardless.
Who pays the registration fee, the buyer or the developer?
It is set out in the sale and purchase agreement for each project. There is no default rule assigning it to either side.
What happens if the developer misses the 21-day registration window?
The developer, not the buyer, faces a 10,000 AED penalty for late registration of an off-plan sale.
Does the 2% include VAT?
No. The 400 AED e-services fee for off-plan registration excludes the standard 5% VAT, which is confirmed separately with your adviser.
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