Dubai purchase cost calculator
See item by item what a purchase in Dubai adds on top of the price. From the DLD transfer fee to Oqood registration, from agency commission to mortgage registration, every item in one table.
Note: the rates follow the Dubai Land Department schedule. Dubai has no annual property tax, no stamp duty and no capital gains tax; the 4% DLD fee paid on purchase is a one-off.
How much cash do you need at completion?
Enter the price and choose the purchase type and payment method. The left column lists the costs item by item, the right column shows the total cash you need available.
Purchase costs
Cash you need
Which cost, how much, and when
The cost items differ between an off-plan and a ready property purchase. The table below shows both.
| Item | Amount | When it is paid |
|---|---|---|
| DLD transfer fee | 4% of the price | At Oqood registration for off-plan, at transfer for a ready property |
| Oqood registration fee (off-plan) | AED 3,000 to AED 5,000 + 5% VAT | At contract registration |
| Registration trustee fee (ready property) | AED 2,000 below AED 500,000, AED 4,000 above + 5% VAT | On the day of transfer |
| Title deed issuance (ready property) | AED 580 | On the day of transfer |
| Agency commission | 2% + 5% VAT | At transfer. Usually does not arise when buying directly from the developer |
| NOC fee (resale) | AED 500 to AED 5,000 | Before transfer, paid by the seller or shared by negotiation |
| Mortgage registration fee | 0.25% of the loan + AED 290 | At transfer |
| Bank valuation | AED 2,500 to AED 3,500 | At mortgage approval |
| Costs that do not exist in Dubai | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Annual property tax | None. The 4% DLD fee is a one-off. |
| VAT on residential sales | None. The 5% VAT falls only on services such as commission and registration. |
| Stamp duty | None. |
| Capital gains tax | None. |
| Rental income tax | None for an individual buyer. |
The only annual cost is the service charge. It varies by building and facilities, is calculated per square foot, and should be asked about project by project before you buy.
Six things that catch budgets out
The tax burden in Dubai is low, but there are items buyers overlook. These are the ones most often asked about.
One purchase tax, and that is all
Dubai has no stamp duty, no capital gains tax and no annual property tax. The only substantial charge on purchase is the 4% DLD transfer fee, paid once.
Buying off-plan usually carries no commission
When you buy directly from the developer, the developer pays the agency commission. On a resale the buyer bears 2% plus 5% VAT. That makes buying off-plan roughly 2.1% cheaper.
The Oqood fee is not fixed
The Oqood fee that registers an off-plan contract runs between AED 3,000 and AED 5,000 depending on the developer and the period. We obtain the exact figure from the developer at offer stage and confirm it to you in writing.
Foreign buyers are lent less
Banks typically finance 50% to 60% of the price for foreign buyers. If you take a mortgage, the registration fee (0.25%) and the valuation (AED 2,500 to AED 3,500) are added to your costs.
Do not overlook the service charge
There is no annual tax, but there is an annual service charge. It is calculated per square foot and rises with facilities such as a pool, a gym or a concierge. It affects rental yield directly, so ask about it project by project before buying.
Payments are staged, the cash does not leave at once
On an off-plan purchase 10% to 20% is usually paid on contract, with the balance spread across construction milestones and handover. The total in the calculator is what you will pay across the whole process.
When does the money leave?
A purchase is not paid in one go. Knowing which item falls at which stage matters for cash planning.
1. Reservation
A reservation form is signed for the chosen unit and the reservation amount is paid. It is normally deducted from the first instalment.
2. Sale and purchase agreement
The sale and purchase agreement is signed with the developer. The contract deposit is paid at this stage, between 10% and 20% depending on the project.
3. Oqood registration
The contract is registered on the Dubai Land Department’s Oqood system. The 4% DLD fee and the Oqood registration fee are paid here. This registration evidences your ownership until handover.
4. Construction instalments
The balance is paid against construction milestones. The payment plan varies by project and is set out in the contract.
5. Handover and title deed
The remaining balance is paid at handover, the title deed is issued and the property is registered in your name. The title deed fee arises at this stage.
6. The service charge begins
The annual service charge starts running after handover. Always deduct this item when working out rental yield.
Common questions about purchase costs in Dubai
About 4.3% of the price when buying off-plan for cash. On a ready property, with commission added, it rises to between 6% and 7%. With a mortgage, registration and valuation costs can take it past 7%.
There is no annual property tax. There is no stamp duty, no capital gains tax and no rental income tax for an individual buyer. The 4% DLD fee paid on purchase is a one-off. The only recurring cost is the annual service charge.
It varies by building and facilities and is calculated per square foot. It rises with amenities such as a pool, a gym or a concierge. Because it affects rental yield directly we suggest asking project by project before you buy; we obtain it from the developer and confirm it to you in writing.
Buying directly from the developer normally carries no agency commission, because the developer pays it. On a resale the buyer bears 2% plus 5% VAT. Payments are also staged, so the cash does not leave at once.
It is the registration of an off-plan sale contract on the Dubai Land Department system. Because the title deed is issued at handover, this registration evidences your ownership while construction continues. The fee runs between AED 3,000 and AED 5,000 depending on the developer and the period.
Yes. Banks typically finance 50% to 60% of the price for foreign buyers. If you take a mortgage, the registration fee (0.25% of the loan plus AED 290) and the bank valuation (AED 2,500 to AED 3,500) are added to your costs.
A No Objection Certificate is needed only on a resale and is obtained from the developer. It runs between AED 500 and AED 5,000. As a rule the seller pays, though it is sometimes shared by negotiation. No such item arises on an off-plan purchase.
The rates and fixed fees follow the Dubai Land Department schedule. The Oqood administrative fee is given as a range because sources differ; the calculator assumes AED 4,000 plus 5% VAT. This tool is for information only and is not legal or financial advice.
Let us work out your Dubai budget together
For the project you choose we prepare a written cost breakdown including the service charge, the payment plan and the Oqood fee.