Find out exactly what you can buy in Dubai, for your goal and your budget.

Yes. Foreign nationals can own property outright in Dubai's designated freehold areas, which cover most of the popular communities, with no residency requirement to purchase. Ownership in freehold zones is full and registered in your name at the Dubai Land Department.

For a ready property, budget for a down payment plus roughly 7% in costs (the 4% DLD transfer fee, agency fee, and registration). A UAE-resident expat typically needs at least 20% down on a first home under 5 million dirhams; non-residents usually need around 50%. Off-plan is different: you can start with a booking down payment of about 10% to 20% plus the DLD registration, then pay the rest in stages. The planner above works your exact number.

Yes. More than 15 UAE banks lend to foreign buyers. UAE-resident expats can typically borrow up to 80% of the value on a first home under 5 million dirhams (75% above that), while non-residents are usually capped near 50%. Lenders generally look for a salary from about 15,000 dirhams a month, six months in your job, and manageable existing debt. Rates commonly range from about 3.5% to 5.5%.

You reserve the unit with a booking down payment, commonly 10% to 20%, then pay the balance in stages. Payments are either construction-linked (released as the developer hits verified milestones, which is safer if there are delays) or time-linked. Common structures are 80/20 and 60/40 across construction and handover. Post-handover plans let you take the keys and keep paying the remaining balance over one to five years while you live in or rent out the property. Plans vary by developer.

It depends on your goal. Off-plan usually launches 15% to 30% below completed prices, on staged payment plans, with more room for capital appreciation, but it pays no rent until handover. Ready property costs more upfront but earns rental income from day one. The planner tailors its guidance to whichever you pick.

Gross rental yields in Dubai typically run from around 5% in prime waterfront communities to 8% or 9% in more affordable areas. Higher yield usually means less prestige and slower price growth, so the right balance depends on whether you want cash flow or appreciation.

On a ready purchase you pay the 4% Dubai Land Department transfer fee, an agency fee (commonly 2%), and registration and trustee charges, roughly 7% in total, plus bank arrangement and valuation fees if you use a mortgage. Off-plan carries the DLD registration rather than a full agency and mortgage cost upfront.

No. You can complete a purchase remotely by appointing someone through a power of attorney to sign on your behalf, which is common for overseas buyers.