Total Upfront Cost of Buying Property in Dubai

01Which official registration fees apply?

DLD's property sale registration service for completed property lists a seller fee of 2% and a buyer fee of 2% of the sale value. Parties can agree a different allocation, so check the signed terms and written quote rather than assuming the buyer must always pay the whole 4%. The page also lists title, map, knowledge and innovation charges.

For its trustee channel, the same page lists AED 4,000 plus VAT in service partner fees for a sale value of AED 500,000 or more, and AED 2,000 plus VAT below that threshold. Different channels or transaction types can have different charges. Confirm the applicable service and VAT treatment.

DLD's mortgage registration page lists 0.25% of the mortgage value as a registration fee, plus other possible charges. Ask how simultaneous sale and mortgage procedures affect the full quote.

02What does a mortgage change?

The down payment is the purchase price less the loan amount, but approval and the amount a bank will lend depend on the applicant and property. The Central Bank’s 2024 financial stability report describes loan-to-value rules for first-time buyers. Ask the bank to confirm current rules and its own valuation, underwriting and product terms; a regulatory maximum is not a promise of financing.

Request the bank's fee schedule, valuation and insurance requirements, interest or profit rate, repayment schedule and early-settlement provisions. Compare the cash required at each stage. If the bank values the property below the agreed price or approves a smaller loan, the buyer may need more cash.

A reservation or deposit paid towards the purchase price should be counted once, not added again to the same down payment. Check refund conditions in writing.

03Worked example: a sample AED 1 million purchase

Assume a sample AED 1,000,000 completed apartment and a lender-approved AED 800,000 loan, leaving AED 200,000 of price to fund. Assume the buyer agrees to pay the full 4% sale registration amount, or AED 40,000. This allocation is an example; DLD's service page lists 2% for each party.

For this illustration add a trustee fee of AED 4,200 including assumed VAT, title and apartment map fees of AED 250 each, AED 20 knowledge and innovation fees, and AED 2,000 mortgage registration at 0.25% of the assumed loan. Add sample brokerage of AED 21,000, valuation of AED 3,000, bank costs of AED 8,000 and a separate AED 10,000 initial reserve. The total is AED 288,720.

The illustration excludes any additional mortgage service partner charge, developer clearance, insurance premiums and other property-specific costs. The sample bank, brokerage and reserve amounts are not quotes. Confirm every item and avoid duplicate charges when a combined service applies.

04What changes for off-plan property?

An off-plan agreement may spread the price across a deposit, construction milestones, handover and later instalments. Add each payment and its due date to the same cash calendar as registration, possible finance and furnishing. Review the full purchase price and the dates of all remaining instalments.

Ask the developer for the registered project details, contract, payment recipient, current fee quote and the conditions for cancellation, delay or resale. Verify the information through DLD and keep receipts. Do not treat a payment plan as equivalent to a mortgage without comparing the full terms and risks.

Where a programme or developer offers a fee contribution, confirm precisely which charge it covers and whether conditions apply. The first-time buyer programme guide explains the official programme's eligibility and fees.

05Budget beyond the transfer date

Ask for the current building service-charge statement, utility and cooling arrangements, insurance, maintenance and any immediate work. An affordable upfront payment can still leave an uncomfortable annual cost. For a rental investment, include vacancy and management; for an owner-occupied home, include the family's transport and other commitments.

The JVC and Arjan area guide illustrates how costs and building conditions differ between actual options. Replace its sample numbers with the documents for your own property.

Keep a cash reserve separate from mandatory payments. Recalculate if the contract, bank valuation or fee allocation changes before transfer.

06Check the payment schedule before signing

Ask for each amount, recipient and due date in a single written schedule. Confirm whether the broker's charge includes VAT, whether the developer requires a clearance payment and how a deposit is applied to the purchase price. For a financed purchase, compare the payment dates with the lender's approval and disbursement process.

If a cost is unknown, leave it visible as an open item and retain sufficient cash until you receive a quote. Include all applicable charges in the purchase budget and keep a reserve for the remaining payments.

07Request a current quote

Browse the Aliyas Dubai projects and ask which specific units are currently available. Contact Aliyas with your budget and whether you intend to use finance. Request an itemised written cost schedule and verify the current DLD and lender requirements before committing.