What does the property purchase process in Dubai look like?
Buying Property from a Developer in Dubai - Step by Step
-
We present the latest proposals from developers.
- Evaluate your capital and your investment plan.
- Prepare basic documents: valid passport, proof of address.
-
Project Selection
- We work only with the best developers in Dubai who have a minimum of 20 completed investments behind them. This guarantees that investments are always handed over on schedule.
- We approach each client individually. We learn about their needs and requirements regarding the investment. We work according to budgets, expectations, and requirements.
-
Unit Reservation (Booking / Reservation)
- Express your intent to purchase to an authorized seller/developer and pay the booking fee - usually about 5–10% of the value (in some projects 10–20%). You will receive a reservation confirmation.
- For investments that are yet to be released, EOI (Expression of Interest) is required - which is a small, fully refundable deposit if an apartment is not selected from the developer. If the selection is accepted, the EOI sum will be deducted from the booking fee.
-
Preliminary Agreement — MOU / SPA (Sales & Purchase Agreement)
- After reservation, an MOU / Form F (more common in secondary sales) or a Sales & Purchase Agreement (SPA) is signed with the developer. The contract includes the price, payment schedule, handover date, penalties, and handover conditions.
-
Payment Security — Escrow and Trust Account
- For off-plan transactions, the buyer's payments go into the project's escrow account in accordance with the law (Law No. 8/2007). This protects buyers' funds and prevents the developer from freely using the money without construction progress.
- The law also provides for safeguards (e.g., retention of approx. 5% after completion for the claims period).
-
Transaction Registration — Oqood (off-plan) / Sales Registration (ready)
- Off-plan: the developer registers the agreement in the DLD Oqood system (this is the official registration of the pre-handover agreement).
- Ready: after signing the agreement, the sale is registered with the DLD and the Title Deed is issued. Registration and issuance of documents are done through DLD systems (Dubai REST / Real Estate Trustee Office).
-
Payments according to Schedule
- You pay according to the SPA schedule (construction stages or post-handover). Payments formally go to the account indicated by the developer and are visible in confirmations.
- The developer is obliged to report progress and allow inspection before handover. Typical payment schemes: 10–20% booking, the rest in installments or 20/80, 50/50, post-handover, etc.
-
Preparation for Handover — Inspection and 'Snag List'
- Before handing over the keys, a technical inspection is performed. A snag list is drawn up - the developer is obliged to remove the defects. Law and practice provide for a period of liability for defects (retention/warranty).
-
NOC, Fees, and Title Transfer
- Before transferring ownership, it is necessary to obtain an NOC (No Objection Certificate) from the developer — this confirms no outstanding debts (service charges, fees, etc.) and allows the transfer.
- The buyer pays DLD registration fees — transfer/registration fee ~4% of the transaction value (plus administrative fees) and possible mortgage registration costs. After payment, the DLD will issue the Title Deed to the buyer.
-
After the Transaction: Owner Obligations and Property Management
- After obtaining the Title Deed, you register any lease agreements (Ejari) and pay service charges (building maintenance/common services).
- The DLD publishes a Service-Charge Index, which can be used for calculations.
Start your investment in Dubai with full support.
You don't need to know the regulations or procedures – we will guide you through every stage, from apartment selection to key handover.
Contact UsFAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about Investing in Dubai
Do you have questions? Talk to us, and we will clarify all doubts.
Ask us about investing in Dubai- Yes, foreigners have full ownership rights in designated freehold zones. The purchased property is yours to own – you can sell it, rent it out, or pass it on as an inheritance.
- Prices for finished apartments start from around 130–150 thousand USD (approx. 450–550 thousand PLN), which is often less than in Warsaw or Krakow.
- Yes, it is possible to purchase with a mortgage, and banks in the UAE also offer financing to foreigners. In the case of the Golden Visa, the repaid portion counts – it must exceed 2 million AED.
- You need to include, among others: a 4% registration fee to the Dubai Land Department, an administrative fee, and possible notary costs. We present everything clearly to the client before signing the contract.
- No – there is no income tax or tax on property rental in Dubai. This is one of the main reasons investors choose the Emirates.
- The average rate of return on apartment rentals in Dubai is 6–9% per year, which is significantly higher than in Poland (3–4%). Additionally, an increase in the property's value is possible.
- No, you can manage the investment from Poland – property ownership entitles you, among other things, to open a bank account in Dubai and use the Golden Visa, even if you live outside the UAE daily.
- Yes, developers always hand over apartments finished turnkey. You can make changes yourself, but this involves costly renovation and demolishing the existing arrangement.
- Yes, you can rent the apartment long-term (annual contract) or use it privately. Short-term rental is less profitable due to high management fees, utilities, and the risk of damage.
- Long-term rental usually involves a one-year contract, paid upfront in one, two, or four installments. The tenant pays for utilities and apartment maintenance themselves, which gives the owner a stable and predictable income.
- Yes, purchasing property worth at least 2 million AED entitles you to apply for a 10-year Golden Visa for yourself and your family.
- Very safe – all transactions are registered with the Dubai Land Department, funds are deposited into Escrow accounts, and the developer receives money only after the subsequent construction stages are completed.
- Yes, all formalities and rental management can be handled from Poland. Emirapol provides full A–Z support, including apartment handover, preparing lease agreements, and tenant profiling.
Take the first step towards investing in Dubai.
Leave your details – we will call you back to match the offer to you.