Investing in Dubai from France: steps, bank transfers and fees, from Paris or Lyon
The full journey of an investor based in Paris or Lyon buying an off-plan apartment in Dubai: choosing the project, reserving remotely, wiring funds from a French bank, DLD fees, French tax to check with an adviser, and the Golden Visa, with FAUCHON Résidences as the worked example.
Why Dubai makes sense for an investor living in France
Many of our clients in France are not French by birth: an executive in La Défense, a consultant in Lyon Part-Dieu, an engineer at Sophia Antipolis. They know the constraints of rental property in France: tax on rents, regulated tenancies, condominium charges, management delays. Dubai offers a different framework. No personal tax on rental income or capital gains in the UAE. An off-plan market supervised by the Dubai Land Department, with mandatory escrow accounts and public tracking of construction progress. And a reservation possible with 20% of the price, without arranging a French mortgage.
The second reason is currency. A Dubai property is priced in UAE dirhams, which track the US dollar. For savings built in euros, that is a simple currency diversification, in a city reachable by direct flight from Paris, Lyon, Nice or Marseille.
The third reason is rental demand. Dubai hosts international employees, entrepreneurs and travellers who rent long or short term, in districts where branded residences find their audience.
Five steps, all completed from France
- Set the total budget. Unit price, 4% DLD fee, developer administrative fees, Oqood registration. Your Orven adviser sends a detailed estimate in UAE dirhams.
- Choose the project. A studio in the city centre, a furnished branded two-bedroom by the sea or a family three-bedroom on Dubai Islands attract different tenants. FAUCHON Résidences by Prestige One in Jumeirah Garden City targets the first profile.
- Reserve. The reservation form and the sale agreement are signed electronically. A copy of your passport is enough; no UAE residency is required.
- Wire the first payment. It leaves your bank in France and lands in the project's escrow account, held at a UAE bank and controlled by the DLD.
- Follow the build to handover. Instalments track construction progress, which you can check on the DLD's Project Status Enquiry service. At handover, the title deed is issued in your name.
Transferring funds from a French bank
BNP Paribas, Société Générale, Crédit Agricole, LCL, Crédit Mutuel, CIC, La Banque Postale or an online bank: all of them send international transfers outside the SEPA zone. The amount leaves in euros and arrives in UAE dirhams in the escrow account; your bank or its correspondent bank handles the conversion.
Your bank applies its due-diligence obligations on international transfers and tells you which supporting documents it needs. In practice:
- the signed sale agreement with the developer, including the escrow account details;
- proof of the origin of funds (savings, income, sale of an asset, inheritance), which the receiving UAE bank also requests;
- for a purchase through a company, the articles of association and the company registration extract.
Two practical tips. Tell your bank adviser before you send the first transfer: online transfer limits are often too low for a reservation payment, and advance notice avoids a hold. Then ask your Orven adviser for written confirmation of receipt from the developer.
ORVEN PROPERTIES
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Fees to plan for
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| DLD registration fee | 4% of the price |
| Oqood registration (off-plan) | fixed fee, confirmed in the contract |
| Developer administrative fees | depends on the project |
| Bank charges on the transfer | depends on your bank |
Orven charges the buyer no commission: our fee comes from the developer. Brokerage is provided through ORVEN REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE L.L.C S.P.C (Economic License No. CN-6800129, ADRA).
Tax on the French side
In the UAE, an individual pays no tax on rental income or capital gains. A French tax resident, however, is in principle taxable on worldwide income and may fall within the scope of the French real estate wealth tax, which takes into account property held abroad above a threshold. A tax treaty exists between France and the United Arab Emirates; how it applies to rental income or to a capital gain depends on your situation. Have these points confirmed by a tax lawyer or a chartered accountant before you reserve. Orven supports the transaction, not your tax return.
A worked example: FAUCHON Résidences in Jumeirah Garden City
Prestige One is developing FAUCHON Résidences in a central Dubai neighbourhood, 3 minutes from City Walk, 5 minutes from DIFC and 13 minutes from Dubai International Airport. The project offers studios and one- to three-bedroom apartments, with an infinity pool, a co-working zone, a digital library and an owners' lounge. The published payment plan is 20% at reservation, 40% during construction and 40% at handover. Starting price and handover date are provided on request, from the sale documents in force.
For an investor living in Paris or Lyon, two arguments stand out. A studio or a one-bedroom remains accessible with a 20% first payment, and the location between City Walk and DIFC matches the international salaried tenant. The FAUCHON name, familiar in France, translates on site into a recognisable residential identity. The FAUCHON Résidences page lists unit types and amenities.
If your purchase, alone or combined with other properties, reaches AED 2 million, you may apply for a Golden Visa, under conditions set by the UAE authorities.
Send your budget and your goal (rental, pied-à-terre, visa) on WhatsApp at +971 52 776 1939 or to sales@orvenproperties.com. An adviser replies in English or French with two or three available units and their actual payment schedule.
FAQ
Do I need to travel to Dubai to buy from France? No. Reservation, escrow payments and registration are handled remotely. A valid passport is enough to buy freehold in the areas open to foreign buyers.
Does the transfer leave in euros? Yes. It leaves your account in euros and arrives in UAE dirhams in the escrow account. Your bank converts the amount when it sends the funds.
Do I have to declare the property in France? A French tax resident may have reporting obligations on foreign income and on real estate held abroad. Have your case confirmed by a tax adviser before you buy.
Can part of the price be financed? Some UAE banks lend to non-residents, subject to their approval and to a valuation of the property. Your adviser puts you in touch if your profile fits.
Is the 20% reservation payment refundable? Reservation payments follow the developer's sale agreement and Dubai's off-plan regulations. Ask for the written cancellation terms before making any payment.
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
Do I need to travel to Dubai to buy from France?
No. Reservation, escrow payments and registration are handled remotely. A valid passport is enough to buy freehold in the areas open to foreign buyers.
Does the transfer leave in euros?
Yes. It leaves your account in euros and arrives in UAE dirhams in the escrow account. Your bank converts the amount when it sends the funds.
Do I have to declare the property in France?
A French tax resident may have reporting obligations on foreign income and on real estate held abroad. Have your case confirmed by a tax adviser before you buy.
Can part of the price be financed?
Some UAE banks lend to non-residents, subject to their approval and to a valuation of the property. Your adviser puts you in touch if your profile fits.
Is the 20% reservation payment refundable?
Reservation payments follow the developer's sale agreement and Dubai's off-plan regulations. Ask for the written cancellation terms before making any payment.
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