How long will it take to save for a home in Dubai?
The down payment is only part of it. Add the 4% DLD transfer fee, agent commission and mortgage fees, and most buyers need 25–30% of the price in cash. Enter your numbers to see your full target and the date you’ll reach it.
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Estimates based on published Dubai Land Department fees and UAE Central Bank loan-to-value limits. Banks may ask for more. Confirm figures with your bank and conveyancer before you commit.
What you need to buy in Dubai
Down payment. UAE Central Bank rules cap how much a bank can lend. Expats buying a first home up to AED 5 million can borrow up to 80%, so they put down at least 20%. Above AED 5 million it drops to 70%. UAE nationals can borrow up to 85%. For a second property, the cap is 60% for expats and 65% for nationals.
Fees. The Dubai Land Department charges a 4% transfer fee plus about AED 580 for the title deed. Registration trustees charge AED 4,200 (AED 2,100 under AED 500,000). With a mortgage, add 0.25% of the loan plus AED 290 to register it, a bank arrangement fee of up to 1% plus VAT, and a valuation of around AED 3,000 plus VAT.
Emergency fund. Don’t put every dirham into the purchase. Keep at least 3 months of spending, including your new mortgage payment, in an easy-access account for job loss or surprise repairs. In the UAE, where residency is often tied to your job, 6 months is safer.
If you are a non-resident. You don’t need a UAE visa to buy freehold property in Dubai, and the DLD and trustee fees are the same as for residents. Mortgages are harder: the Central Bank caps above apply to residents, and most banks lend non-residents only 50–60% of the price, often with higher rates and proof of income from abroad. This planner assumes 50%, so plan for a down payment of about half the price plus fees. Buying in cash avoids the mortgage fees altogether.
Through an agent or direct from a developer. On a resale home, the buyer usually pays the agent 2% of the price plus 5% VAT. Buying a ready unit direct from a developer normally means no agent commission, and developers sometimes run offers that cover part of the 4% DLD fee. Check whether the developer charges its own admin or registration fee, and get the sale agreement reviewed before you pay.
Off-plan purchases follow developer payment plans and different rules. This planner covers ready properties.
FAQ
How much deposit do I need for a AED 1.5 million apartment?
As a first-time expat buyer with a mortgage, about AED 300,000 for the down payment and roughly AED 115,000 in fees, so around AED 415,000 in total. Add 3 months of spending as an emergency fund on top.
Can I add the fees to my mortgage?
Usually not. Banks lend against the property value, so the DLD fee, agent fee and bank fees normally come from your own savings.
Does buying direct from a developer save money?
Yes, it usually avoids the 2% agent commission. Developers sometimes also run offers that cover part of the 4% DLD fee.
Where should I keep my deposit savings?
A high-interest savings account or a short fixed deposit keeps the money safe and accessible. At 4.5%, interest adds noticeably to your deposit over 2–3 years.
Can a non-resident buy property in Dubai?
Yes. Foreigners can buy in Dubai’s freehold areas without living in the UAE or holding a visa. You pay the same 4% DLD fee and trustee fees as residents.
How much deposit does a non-resident need?
Plan for about 50% of the price if you use a mortgage, as most UAE banks lend non-residents only 50–60%. Add roughly 7% of the price for DLD, agent and bank fees on top.
Does buying property in Dubai give me a visa?
It can. Property worth at least AED 2 million can qualify you for a 10-year Golden Visa, and smaller amounts may qualify for a shorter investor visa. Rules change, so check current requirements with the Dubai Land Department before you buy.
Who pays the 4% DLD transfer fee?
By custom the buyer pays it, but it can be negotiated. Some developers cover part or all of it as a sales offer.
How much is the agent commission in Dubai?
Usually 2% of the purchase price plus 5% VAT, paid by the buyer. On a AED 1.5 million home that is about AED 31,500. There is normally no agent fee when you buy direct from a developer.
Is there VAT on buying a home in Dubai?
Not on the price of a residential resale home. VAT of 5% is charged on services such as the agent commission, trustee fee, valuation and bank arrangement fee.