How mortgages work in Dubai
How much a bank can lend you, the deposit you need, the fees, and the limits set by the Central Bank of the UAE.
Read the guide
What it costs to buy property in Dubai
Every fee on a ready home, an off-plan home and a mortgage, with the government figures checked against the Dubai Land Department.
Buying a ready home
These are the costs on a resale home, one that is already built and has a title deed.
| Fee | Set by | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer fee | Dubai Land Department | 4% of the price |
| Title deed fees | Dubai Land Department | AED 520 for an apartment or villa: AED 250 title deed, AED 250 for the unit, and AED 10 each in knowledge and innovation fees |
| Registration trustee fee | Dubai Land Department | AED 4,000 + VAT, or AED 2,000 + VAT under AED 500,000 |
| Agency fee | Market custom | Usually 2% of the price + VAT |
| Developer NOC | The developer | AED 500 to 5,000 |
By custom the buyer pays the whole 4% transfer fee. The Dubai Land Department's own schedule divides it equally between buyer and seller, so the two sides can agree a different split in Form F.
A worked example
A ready apartment at AED 2,000,000, bought with cash:
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| DLD transfer fee | AED 80,000 |
| DLD title deed fees | AED 520 |
| Registration trustee fee | AED 4,200 |
| Agency fee | AED 42,000 |
| Developer NOC | AED 5,000 |
| Price plus fees | AED 2,131,720 |
That is about 6.6% on top of the price. The calculator below works it out for any price, with or without a mortgage.
Buying off-plan
When you buy from a developer before completion, the purchase is registered on the Dubai Land Department's Oqood system. The fee is the same 4% of the price, plus AED 10 knowledge and AED 10 innovation fees. There is no developer NOC on a first sale from the developer.
Developers may add their own administration charges, and these vary. Ask for them in writing before you reserve.
Buying with a mortgage
| Fee | Set by | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Mortgage registration | Dubai Land Department | 0.25% of the loan + AED 270 |
| Valuation | Your bank | Typically AED 2,500 to 3,500 + VAT |
| Arrangement fee | Your bank | Typically 0.5% to 1% of the loan + VAT |
If you repay the loan early, the Central Bank of the UAE caps the early settlement fee at 1% of the outstanding balance or AED 10,000, whichever is lower.
Work out your costs
AED
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| DLD transfer fee4% of the price, customarily paid by the buyer | AED 80,000 |
| DLD title deed feesItemised by DLD for apartments and villas | AED 520 |
| Registration trustee feeAED 4,000 + VAT | AED 4,200 |
| Agency fee2% + VAT, the customary rate | AED 42,000 |
| Developer NOCAED 500 to 5,000, set by the developer; who pays is agreed in Form F. The top of the range is shown | AED 5,000 |
| Fees and charges | AED 131,720 |
- Price plus fees
- AED 2,131,720
- Fees as a share of the price
- 6.6%
An estimate. Government fees are the Dubai Land Department's, checked 16 September 2026; agency, bank and developer fees vary and are shown at their customary or upper level. How each fee works
Costs once you own
Owners in managed buildings and communities pay an annual service charge for the upkeep of shared areas, and the rate differs from one building to the next. Ask for the current service charge on any home you consider, and budget for it alongside moving and furnishing.
Questions buyers ask
Who pays the 4% DLD transfer fee?
By custom the buyer pays the full 4%. The Dubai Land Department's schedule divides it equally between buyer and seller, so the two sides can agree a different split in the sale contract.
Is the 2% agency fee set by law?
No. 2% plus VAT is the customary rate in Dubai, but commission is agreed with your broker.
What fees do I pay on an off-plan home?
The 4% Oqood registration fee plus AED 20 in admin fees to the Dubai Land Department, and any administration charge the developer sets. There is no developer NOC on a first sale.
How much should I budget on top of the price?
About 7% for a ready home bought with cash. A mortgage adds around 1.3% of the loan in registration and arrangement fees, plus the bank's valuation fee.
Sources
Keep reading
How to buy a home in Dubai, step by step
From setting your budget to collecting the title deed: every stage of buying a ready home, what you sign and what you pay.
Read the guide