What Does It Cost to Buy Property in Dubai as a Foreigner?
Foreigners can buy freehold property in Dubai, from entry prices around AED 579,000 up to several million, plus a 4% DLD registration fee and any Oqood fee for off-plan sales.
Yes, foreigners can buy freehold property in Dubai, in designated freehold zones, with no residency required to own. The cost itself starts from around AED 579,000 for the lowest published entry price in the Orven collection, at Astra Residences in Dubai South, and runs into the millions depending on the project and unit type.
The purchase price is only the starting point
Published entry prices vary widely by project. Astra Residences in Dubai South starts from AED 579,000 for its smallest unit, while Al Habtoor Tower in Business Bay starts from AED 2 million for a one-bedroom apartment in an 82-storey tower. Both figures are the developer's starting price for the smallest unit; a larger apartment costs more.
What is added on top of the purchase price
Dubai Land Department registration runs at 4% of the purchase price for a completed sale, confirmed at the point of transfer. For an off-plan reservation, a separate, fixed Oqood registration fee applies, confirmed in the contract. Neither figure is calculated here from the entry prices above; your adviser confirms the exact amount once a unit and its price are set.
Financing part of the cost
Bank financing is possible for certain non-residents, always subject to the lender's own approval, with no interest rate or loan-to-value ratio quoted here, since both depend on the bank and your profile. Many off-plan purchases instead use the developer's own instalment plan, paid into a Dubai Land Department-controlled escrow account as construction progresses.
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Does the cost change anything about ownership itself?
No. Freehold ownership in designated zones applies the same way regardless of nationality, and the purchase mechanics, escrow for off-plan payments, Oqood registration, then title deed at handover, are identical for every buyer. What does change with your budget is simply which projects and unit types are within reach.
Does a higher-cost purchase open the door to residency?
A real estate investment of at least 2 million AED can support a Golden Visa application, under conditions confirmed with the authorities, with no visa duration specified here. A purchase below that threshold does not, on its own, support that particular route.
Next step
To get a realistic total cost estimate, purchase price plus DLD fees, for a specific project and unit type, send your target budget on WhatsApp at +971 52 776 1939 or to sales@orvenproperties.com. Our guides on whether foreigners can buy freehold property in Dubai and the documents needed to buy property in Dubai cover the rest of the process. For current listings by budget, visit find your home.
FAQ
Can a foreigner really own property outright in Dubai? Yes, in designated freehold zones, with no residency requirement to purchase.
What is the cheapest entry price in the current collection? Astra Residences in Dubai South, from AED 579,000, at the time this page was checked.
Does the DLD fee apply to every purchase? Yes, 4% of the purchase price for a completed sale, or a separate fixed Oqood fee for an off-plan reservation.
Does buying property guarantee a visa? No. A property at or above 2 million AED can support a Golden Visa application, under conditions confirmed with the authorities; lower-value purchases do not qualify for that specific route.
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
Can a foreigner really own property outright in Dubai?
Yes, in designated freehold zones, with no residency requirement to purchase.
What is the cheapest entry price in the current collection?
Astra Residences in Dubai South, from AED 579,000, at the time this page was checked.
Does the DLD fee apply to every purchase?
Yes, 4% of the purchase price for a completed sale, or a separate fixed Oqood fee for an off-plan reservation.
Does buying property guarantee a visa?
No. A property at or above 2 million AED can support a Golden Visa application, under conditions confirmed with the authorities; lower-value purchases do not qualify for that specific route.
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