Buying property in Dubai follows different steps from a purchase in Germany, Austria or Switzerland. The acquisition becomes valid only when it is registered with the Dubai Land Department (DLD). This guide describes the process for a completed property and for an off-plan purchase, and separates the law from market practice.
Before the first step
- Have the DLD confirm that the plot lies in an area designated for foreign ownership (see buying as a foreigner).
- Check that the broker is registered in the brokers registry and holds a broker card from RERA.
- Settle financing and tax questions before you sign anything. Keep evidence of the origin of your funds to hand; brokers are subject to anti-money-laundering rules.
Completed property: law and market practice
| Step | Law or official procedure | Market practice |
|---|---|---|
| Sale contract between seller and buyer | The DLD provides unified contract forms; “Form F” is the contract between seller and buyer. According to press reports they have been mandatory for brokered deals since 2014. | The contract is often called an “MoU”. |
| Deposit | We found no statutory percentage. | A deposit is commonly agreed; its amount is negotiated. |
| Developer’s no-objection certificate (NOC) | Not covered by the statutes we read. | Usual before transfer; the developer sets the fee. |
| Transfer | Both parties attend a registration trustee office. The registration fee is paid to the DLD by manager’s cheque. | – |
| Title deed | Issued by the DLD from the register. Without registration the sale is not valid (Law No. 7 of 2006, Arts. 9 and 22). | – |
The DLD lists the in-person registration step at the trustee office as taking 15–20 minutes. That covers the appointment itself, not the preparation. Plan the journey with the current situation in mind (see below).
Off-plan: the steps
- Check the project. Project status can be tracked on the DLD website or in the Dubai REST app by plot number, project number or project name.
- Sale contract with the developer. Payment plans tied to construction milestones are contractual practice, not a legal requirement. The consequences of late completion also follow from the contract; we found no statutory rule on the point.
- Interim registration (Oqood). The developer enters the sale in the interim register through the “Oqood” portal.
- Payments into the escrow account. Under Law No. 8 of 2007 each project has its own escrow account, dedicated exclusively to the construction of that project. This reduces certain risks; it guarantees neither completion nor a refund.
- Completion and registration. After the completion certificate, the escrow agent retains 5% of the account value; it is released one year after the units are registered in the purchasers’ names. The title deed is issued by the DLD.
What to check in detail before you sign is set out in the guide to off-plan property in Dubai.
Financing and fees along the way
The UAE Central Bank caps mortgages for expatriates: the limit is 60% of value for investment properties and 50% for off-plan properties. Whether a bank lends to a buyer living abroad at all is the bank’s decision. According to press reports, since 1 February 2025 banks no longer finance the registration fee and the agent’s commission within the mortgage; these then have to be paid from your own funds. The individual items are listed under purchase costs.
Travel and appointments in 2026
Since late February 2026 the region has been affected by an armed conflict; official travel advice for the UAE has been restrictive since then, and flight schedules were disrupted in 2026. Before travelling, please check the current advice of your foreign ministry (German Federal Foreign Office, Austrian BMEIA, Swiss FDFA) and current availability with the airlines.
What DACHMA Advisory does along the way
We establish what you need, select and compare projects, and accompany the steps of the purchase. For contract review, tax and financing we refer you to qualified, independent professionals. We disclose our scope of work, our fees and any remuneration from developers that is known to us before you make any commitment. Get in touch.
Key points
- The acquisition is valid only once it is entered in the DLD’s register.
- The deposit, the NOC and the term “MoU” are market practice, not legal requirements.
- For off-plan purchases the developer registers the sale provisionally (Oqood); payments go into the project’s escrow account.
- The escrow account reduces risks; it guarantees nothing.
- According to press reports, the registration fee and commission can no longer be financed within the mortgage since February 2025.
- Before travelling in 2026: check current travel advice and flight connections.
Frequently asked questions
At what point do I own the property?
When the transfer is entered in the Dubai Land Department’s register. Under Law No. 7 of 2006, transactions in real property rights are not valid unless registered; the title deed is issued from the register. That does not replace a review of the contract, for which we recommend a lawyer admitted in the UAE.
How much is the deposit on a completed property?
We found no statutory percentage. A deposit is commonly agreed; its amount and the conditions for its return are settled in the sale contract.
What does Oqood mean?
Oqood is the portal through which the developer enters an off-plan sale in the Dubai Land Department’s interim register. Final registration and the title deed follow after completion.
