Can a foreigner buy an apartment in the UAE in Dubai and what does it take?
25.10.2025

Yes, they can — and that’s precisely one of the main reasons Dubai has become the world’s number one investment magnet.

Buying an apartment in Dubai is simple, transparent, and completely open to foreigners. No residency, citizenship, or special permissions are required — just a passport.

Dubai — the City of Opportunity and Freehold Ownership

Dubai is not just a city of the future — it’s an open platform for investment, relocation, and quality living.
Today, more than 90% of residents are expats who have successfully moved and integrated into the city’s multicultural environment. Here, no one cares about where you come from — only about your ambition and goals.

Unlike in many other countries, Dubai grants full property ownership rights to foreigners in designated Freehold zones. This means you can buy property outright, with the ability to sell, rent, bequeath, or use it as you wish.

What Does a Foreigner Need to Buy Property in Dubai?

Everything is extremely simple:

A valid passport — that’s the only document required to complete a purchase.

Not required:

  • Residence visa
  • Local registration
  • Local bank account
  • UAE citizenship

Foreign buyers have equal rights with UAE nationals when purchasing property.
If you buy directly from a developer, you can often access interest-free payment plans for 3–7 years, without income statements or complex bank approvals.

What Are the Benefits of Buying Property in Dubai?

Residence Visa for Purchases from AED 750,000

If the property value exceeds AED 750,000 (≈ $204,000), the buyer becomes eligible for a 2-year UAE residence visa.
To keep it active, you only need to visit the country once every 6 months.

Golden Visa for Purchases from AED 2,000,000

Investing AED 2 million or more (≈ $545,000) qualifies you for a 10-year Golden Visa — an exceptional form of long-term residency that offers:

  • No requirement to stay in the UAE continuously
  • No travel restrictions
  • Access to UAE consular services abroad
  • The ability to sponsor family members
  • Access to banking, insurance, education, and business opportunities

Important Things to Know

  • All transactions are processed through the Dubai Land Department (DLD) — the official authority overseeing property registration.
  • Ownership is registered digitally through the Dubai REST system, with no paper bureaucracy.
  • Dubai’s infrastructure is fully expat-friendly — English-speaking schools, hospitals, banks, and services.
  • There are no taxes on rental income or capital gains from property sales.

Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Buy

  • The market is consistently growing — property prices have risen by more than 15% over the past year.
  • Developers offer exceptional payment options — from 0% down payments to post-handover plans.
  • Dubai remains one of the safest and most technologically advanced cities in the world.

Conclusion

Foreigners can freely buy property in Dubai, obtain full ownership rights, and even qualify for residency visas.
The simplicity of the process, legal transparency, and favorable visa policies make Dubai one of the world’s most attractive markets — both for investors and for those seeking a stable, comfortable, and dynamic place to live.

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