Total Cost of Buying and Owning Property in Dubai: 2026 Fee Checklist

Short answer: on top of the purchase price, budget for the Dubai Land Department (DLD) registration fee of 4% of the sale value, a trustee (service partner) fee, small title deed and map fees, and, if you borrow, a mortgage registration fee of 0.25% of the loan. Once you own the home, the main recurring costs are building service charges, DEWA utilities (with a refundable deposit) and the Dubai Municipality housing fee collected through the DEWA bill. There is no personal income tax in the UAE, and VAT generally does not apply to residential sales.

This checklist separates one-off costs from ongoing costs, using figures published by the DLD, DEWA, Dubai Municipality and the Federal Tax Authority. Fees change, so confirm each one with the authority before you sign.

What are the one-off costs of buying property in Dubai?

The table below shows the government fees for registering the sale of a ready property, as listed on the DLD's Property Sale Registration service page.

• DLD registration fee — Amount: 4% of the sale value; Notes: DLD lists 2% for the seller and 2% for the buyer; the sale contract decides who actually pays
• Trustee (service partner) fee — Amount: AED 4,000 + VAT for sales of AED 500,000 and above; AED 2,000 + VAT below; Notes: Paid at the Real Estate Services Trustee office
• Title deed certificate — Amount: AED 250; Notes: Issued in the buyer's name
• Map fees — Amount: AED 225 (unified map, Dubai Municipality areas) or AED 100 (land outside DM areas); Notes: As listed by DLD
• Villas and apartments fee — Amount: AED 250; Notes: Listed separately by DLD; ask the trustee which items apply to your unit
• Knowledge and innovation fees — Amount: AED 10 + AED 10; Notes: Small fixed government fees
• Developer NOC — Amount: Set by the developer; Notes: DLD requires an e-NOC from the developer for sales in freehold areas

Who pays the 4% DLD fee?

The DLD's fee table splits the 4% as 2% for the seller and 2% for the purchaser. In practice the buyer and seller agree in writing who bears it, so read the memorandum of understanding (MOU) or Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) carefully and do not assume the split.

What extra fees apply if I take a mortgage?

If a bank finances the purchase, the mortgage is also registered with the DLD. According to the DLD's mortgage registration service, the fee is 0.25% of the mortgage value, plus AED 250 for the title deed, AED 10 knowledge and AED 10 innovation fees, and a service partner fee of AED 4,000 + VAT (AED 5,000 + VAT for a provisional, Oqood-stage mortgage).

Your lender will usually need a valuation. If you order one through the DLD, its property valuation service lists AED 4,000 for a residential apartment or villa valuation, plus AED 10 knowledge and AED 10 innovation fees, and AED 230 + VAT in service partner fees if submitted at a trustee centre. Your bank may use its own panel valuer and charge a different amount, and it will also have its own arrangement and processing fees. See our Dubai mortgage guide for expats and non-residents.

If the seller still has a mortgage, extra release fees apply to that transaction. The DLD's page for registering the sale of a mortgaged property lists a mortgage release procedure fee of AED 1,290 and a registrar release fee of AED 315.

What does it cost to buy off-plan (Oqood)?

Off-plan sales are recorded in the DLD's interim (provisional) register through the Oqood system. The DLD's initial sale registration service lists:

• 2% of the sale value for the seller and 2% for the purchaser (4% in total);
• AED 10 knowledge fee and AED 10 innovation fee;
• an AED 1,000 fee where the developer self-registers through the Oqood portal.

The DLD states that the SPA must be registered in the provisional register within 90 days of signing. Developers may also charge their own administration or registration fees; these are not DLD fees, so ask for them in writing and check the SPA. Read more in our guide to how off-plan property works in the UAE.

Do I pay an estate agent's commission?

On resale (secondary market) purchases, buyers usually pay a brokerage commission. There is no single government-set rate in the sources above; the amount is agreed between you and the broker. Get it in writing before viewing, check that the broker is licensed (see how to verify a Dubai developer or broker), and remember that VAT may be added to the broker's fee.

Example: one-off fees on a ready apartment

Using only the DLD figures above, for a cash purchase of a ready apartment at AED 1,500,000 where the buyer pays the full 4%:

• DLD fee (4%): 60,000
• Trustee fee (AED 4,000 + 5% VAT): 4,200
• Title deed: 250
• Villas and apartments fee: 250
• Unified map fee (if charged): 225
• Knowledge and innovation fees: 20
• Government fees subtotal: about 64,945

This is an illustration, not a quote. It excludes broker commission, the developer's NOC fee and any mortgage, valuation or bank costs, all of which vary.

What are the ongoing costs of owning property in Dubai?

Service charges

Owners in jointly owned buildings and communities pay annual service charges to cover maintenance, security, cleaning and shared facilities. RERA approves these charges, and the DLD's Service Charge Index lets anyone look up the approved rates by project, usage and year through the DLD website or the Dubai REST app. Check the figure for your building before you buy. Our service charges guide explains how they work.

DEWA connection and security deposit

To connect electricity and water, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) asks for a refundable security deposit of AED 2,000 for apartments or AED 4,000 for villas, plus a supply activation fee of AED 155 (DEWA consumer FAQs). After that you pay for your own consumption on the monthly bill.

Dubai Municipality housing fee

The housing fee is collected by DEWA on behalf of Dubai Municipality and appears on the monthly bill, so it is paid by whoever holds the DEWA account (the occupant). For tenants, the UAE government portal states it is 5% of the yearly rent, added to the monthly electricity and water bills (u.ae). Owner-occupiers can also be charged a housing fee; Dubai Municipality runs an online service to amend the housing fee on leased or owned units. Confirm with Dubai Municipality how the fee is assessed for your unit. DEWA notes that VAT does not apply to the housing fee (DEWA FAQs).

If you let the property, the tenant normally holds the DEWA account. See renting out property in Dubai.

District cooling (chiller) charges

Many towers and some communities use district cooling instead of individual air-conditioning units. These charges are billed by the cooling provider or the building, not by DEWA, and structures differ between providers (some include a fixed capacity charge as well as consumption). Ask the seller or developer for recent cooling bills and the provider's tariff before you commit.

Insurance

Buildings insurance for the common structure is generally arranged by the owners' association and funded through service charges. Contents insurance, and any cover your lender requires (such as property or life cover on a mortgage), is your own cost. Check your loan offer for the exact requirements.

Is there property tax in Dubai?

• Personal income tax — Applies to a private owner?: No. "The UAE does not levy income tax on individuals."; Source: u.ae, Taxation
• Annual property tax — Applies to a private owner?: Not listed among UAE taxes (VAT, excise and corporate tax are); Source: u.ae, Taxation
• VAT on residential property — Applies to a private owner?: Generally exempt; the first supply within 3 years of completion is zero-rated; Source: FTA FAQ
• VAT on commercial property — Applies to a private owner?: Yes, standard rate of 5% on sales and leases; Source: FTA FAQ
• Corporate tax — Applies to a private owner?: Not on an individual's real estate investment income; may apply if you own through a company or run a licensed business; Source: FTA, natural persons

The Federal Tax Authority lists "Real Estate Investment Income" alongside wages and personal investment income as income that does not count as business activity for individuals. If you hold property through a company, or your letting activity requires a licence, take tax advice. Your home country may also tax rental income or gains, so check there too.

Frequently asked questions

How much are the total buying costs in Dubai? Government fees for a ready purchase are mainly the 4% DLD fee plus a trustee fee of AED 2,000 or AED 4,000 (plus VAT) and a few hundred dirhams in title deed, map and other fees. Broker commission and any mortgage costs come on top.

Is the 4% DLD fee paid by the buyer or the seller? The DLD lists 2% for each side, but the parties agree who pays in the contract. Check the MOU or SPA before signing.

Do I pay the DLD fee again at handover on an off-plan home? The 4% registration fee is charged when the off-plan sale is registered in the interim register. Ask your developer in writing which fees, if any, are due at handover and title deed issue.

What is the mortgage registration fee in Dubai? 0.25% of the loan amount, plus title deed, knowledge, innovation and service partner fees, according to the DLD.

How much is the DEWA deposit? AED 2,000 for an apartment or AED 4,000 for a villa, refundable, plus an AED 155 activation fee.

Who pays the 5% housing fee? It is collected on the DEWA bill, so it is paid by the account holder, normally the occupant. For tenants it is 5% of the annual rent.

Is there VAT on buying a home in Dubai? Residential sales are generally exempt from VAT, and the first supply of a new residential building within 3 years of completion is zero-rated. Commercial property is subject to 5% VAT.

Ready to compare total costs across projects? Browse properties, use our tools, or let the AI Matchmaker shortlist homes that fit your budget.

Sources

• Dubai Land Department: Property Sale Registration (fees and documents)
• Dubai Land Department: Request to register the initial sale (Oqood)
• Dubai Land Department: Mortgage registration application
• Dubai Land Department: Registering the sale of a mortgaged property
• Dubai Land Department: Property Valuation
• Dubai Land Department: Service Charge Index
• DEWA: Consumer FAQs (security deposit, activation fee, VAT on housing fee)
• UAE Government portal: Leasing a property in the UAE (housing fee)
• Dubai Municipality: Apply to amend housing fees
• UAE Government portal: Taxation
• Federal Tax Authority: VAT treatment of real estate (FAQ)
• Federal Tax Authority: Corporate tax, basis of taxation for natural persons

This guide is general information, not legal, financial, tax or investment advice. Fees and rules change; confirm the current position with the relevant authority before you buy.