Buying Dubai property from abroad, with one person on the ground.
Freehold ownership, no annual property tax, and a currency pegged to the US dollar make the UAE unusually simple for foreign buyers. The friction is practical: verifying what you cannot walk through, moving money compliantly, and completing remotely. Sthira handles all of it.
Investors based outside the UAE who want a single trusted advisor rather than a portal, a developer sales team and a stranger with a key.
The picture
What you need to know before you buy.
What a foreign buyer needs to know
Foreign nationals can own property outright in Dubai’s designated freehold areas, which now cover most of the communities international buyers actually want, from Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina to Downtown, Dubai Hills and Dubai Creek Harbour. There is no annual property tax and no capital gains tax on residential property.
Budget 7 to 10 percent above the purchase price for transaction costs. The largest item is the Dubai Land Department transfer fee of 4 percent, followed by trustee, registration, agency and, where relevant, mortgage registration fees. The dirham is pegged to the US dollar, so currency risk is limited for dollar-based investors.
Property worth AED 2 million or more qualifies the owner for a 10-year Golden Visa, including off-plan purchases from approved developers and mortgaged purchases once equity reaches the threshold. A completed property of any value now supports a 2-year investor residence visa for a sole owner.
How Sthira helps
One advisor, start to finish.
How Sthira works with international clients
We walk, film and stress-test every property before you see it, and we tell you when a building or a developer is not worth your time. You receive two or three opportunities with a written view, not a hundred listings.
Completion is handled under a power of attorney drafted, notarised and attested to Dubai Land Department standards, so you do not need to fly in to sign. We also coordinate non-resident mortgage pre-approval and bank account opening where you want them, and prepare the Golden Visa file when the purchase qualifies.
Questions we are asked
Straight answers.
Can a foreigner own property outright in Dubai?
Yes. Non-residents can hold full freehold title in designated freehold areas, which include most prime and mid-market communities. Title is registered with the Dubai Land Department in your name.
What are the total costs of buying in Dubai as a foreigner?
Plan for 7 to 10 percent on top of the price. The main cost is the 4 percent DLD transfer fee. Costs are the same for residents and non-residents.
Do I need to be in Dubai to complete?
No. A correctly drafted and attested power of attorney allows Sthira or a lawyer to sign and register on your behalf. The POA must name the specific property and transaction and be under two years old.
Does buying property give me a UAE visa?
A property worth AED 2 million or more qualifies for the 10-year Golden Visa. A completed, titled property of any value supports a 2-year investor visa for a sole owner.
Private enquiry
Tell us what you are looking for. We will tell you honestly whether we can find it.
Every engagement begins with a private conversation. No listings, no pressure.