Buyer guides
Dubai Property Buying Costs Explained
The price on the listing is not the full cost. Here are the fees buyers in Dubai should plan for before making an offer.
Anna Ghukasyan · Head of Sales · 5 min read
Published · Updated
Short answer: on top of the purchase price, most buyers should budget roughly 6–8% extra for fees, depending on whether they use a mortgage.
Dubai Land Department transfer fee
The largest cost is the Dubai Land Department (DLD) transfer fee of 4% of the purchase price, plus a small administration fee.
Agency fee
On resale purchases, buyers typically pay an agency commission, commonly around 2% plus VAT. On many off-plan purchases bought directly from the developer, the buyer pays no agency fee.
Trustee and registration fees
Registration trustee offices charge a fixed fee for processing the transfer. The amount depends on the property value.
Mortgage-related costs
- Mortgage registration fee charged by the DLD
- Bank arrangement or processing fee
- Property valuation fee
Ongoing costs after you buy
Owners pay annual service charges to cover building maintenance and shared facilities. These vary a lot by building, so always ask for the latest service charge figure before you commit.
Use the buying cost calculator in our Buyer's Guide to see an estimate for your budget.
Frequently asked questions
What is the DLD fee in Dubai?
The Dubai Land Department transfer fee is 4% of the purchase price, plus an administration fee.
Is there annual property tax in Dubai?
There is no annual property tax on residential ownership in Dubai. Owners do pay yearly service charges for their building or community.
Do I pay agency fees on off-plan?
Often not, when buying directly from the developer. Always confirm before reserving.