Can expats buy property in Ras Al Khaimah?

Yes. RAK's own land registration service confirms that UAE and non-Emirati customers are entitled to own property in freehold areas. The exact list of those areas is confirmed project by project.

6 November 2026 · By Orven Properties · 3 min read

Pictured: Sanctuary Residences, Meydan Horizon

Yes, expats can buy property in Ras Al Khaimah. The municipality's own land registration service states that "UAE and non-Emirati customers are entitled to own property in freehold areas," and Marjan, the master developer of freehold at RAK, separately advertises 100% foreign ownership for Al Marjan Island.

What is officially confirmed

That same municipal source does not publish the complete list of freehold zones, so the exact boundary of where an expat can buy is confirmed project by project rather than assumed island-wide. Al Marjan Island, where Marjan is master developer, carries the clearest ownership statement in our collection.

Three examples across different zones

Address Residences Al Marjan Island (Emaar, Al Marjan Island): over 1,100 homes planned, price on request.
Costa Mare (Ellington, Al Marjan Island): studios to 6 bedroom villas, price on request, with a detailed seven-stage payment plan.
Falcon Island (Al Hamra, Al Hamra Village): 502 townhouses and villas, price on request, currently under construction.

All three sit in zones marketed to international buyers, though the precise ownership documentation differs by project and is confirmed through your SPA and registration certificate.

Registration, not just eligibility

Buying as an expat also means understanding the registration step. For a completed resale, RAK's ZL13 service charges 2% of market value to the seller and 2% to the buyer, plus AED 200 for plan issuance and AED 200 for title issuance. For a resale of a freehold unit, a no-objection letter from the developer is also required. Off-plan registration fees are not officially published for most projects; Costa Mare is the one exception, publishing its own AED 3,000 RERA fee at reservation plus 4% at handover.

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Financing and the Golden Visa

A bank loan remains possible for certain non-residents, always subject to the lender's approval. Separately, a property investment of at least AED 2 million opens the door to a Golden Visa application, subject to conditions confirmed by the authorities; none of the three example projects above has a confirmed price yet, so eligibility is assessed once a figure is agreed.

Where to read more

Our guide on freehold areas and foreign buyers in Ras Al Khaimah expands on this answer, and our Ras Al Khaimah property buying costs explained article covers registration fees in full. The project pages sit at /ras-al-khaimah/address-residences-al-marjan-island-emaar/ and /ras-al-khaimah/costa-mare-ellington/.

Next step

Tell your adviser which zone interests you on WhatsApp at +971 52 776 1939 or at sales@orvenproperties.com, and we confirm the exact ownership terms for that specific project before you reserve. You can also start your search at /find-your-home/.

FAQ

Can a non-Emirati buy property in Ras Al Khaimah? Yes, in freehold areas, confirmed by the municipality's own land registration service.

Is the full list of freehold zones published? No, it is not published on the official source we reviewed; it is confirmed project by project with your adviser.

What are the registration fees for a completed resale? 2% of market value paid by the seller and 2% by the buyer, plus AED 200 for plan issuance and AED 200 for title issuance.

Does buying in Ras Al Khaimah guarantee a Golden Visa? No, it only opens the door to an application once the property price clears AED 2 million, subject to conditions confirmed by the authorities.