The asking price isn’t the whole budget. When you buy property in Dubai, government registration fees and a few service charges are paid on top, most of them set by the Dubai Land Department (DLD).
Here’s what to plan for, based on DLD’s published fees. Fees can change, so we confirm the current figures for your purchase before you commit.
Government fees
| Fee | Amount | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| DLD registration fee | 4% of the sale value | Paid on every sale. For off-plan, the buyer pays it to the developer, who registers the sale with DLD. |
| Trustee office fee | AED 4,200 (AED 4,000 + VAT) from AED 500,000; AED 2,100 (AED 2,000 + VAT) below | Charged by the Real Estate Registration Trustee office that completes a ready-property transfer. |
| Title deed | AED 250 | Issued by DLD in the new owner’s name. |
| Map | AED 250 for a building or apartment | Land plots are AED 100–225. |
| Knowledge and innovation fees | AED 10 each | Small DLD charges added to the transaction. |
When you buy off-plan, you pay the 4% registration fee to the developer, which registers your purchase with DLD. DLD has told developers to pay these fees to the department within 60 days (DLD (opens in a new tab)).
If you’re buying with a mortgage
Registering a mortgage with DLD costs 0.25% of the loan amount, plus a title deed issuance fee of AED 250 and small administration charges (DLD (opens in a new tab)). Banks set their own fees as well, such as valuation and arrangement fees, so ask your lender for a full list in writing.
Other costs to plan for
- Agency fee — agreed in writing with your broker. Ask for it before you start viewing.
- Developer paperwork on resales — some developers charge for the documents they issue before a resale transfer. Ask the seller early.
- Service charges — owners pay yearly charges for the upkeep of the building and community. Ask for the current rate before you buy.
- Moving in — utility connections, furnishing and, if you rent the property out, management.
- Golden Visa (optional) — DLD lists total fees of AED 9,884.75 for an investor’s 10-year permit. See our Golden Visa guide.
- Sending money from India — bank charges, the exchange rate margin and, where it applies, TCS on remittances under LRS.
Worked example: a ready apartment for AED 1,000,000
| Item | Amount (AED) |
|---|---|
| Property price | 1,000,000 |
| DLD registration fee (4%) | 40,000 |
| Trustee office fee (AED 4,000 + 5% VAT) | 4,200 |
| Title deed | 250 |
| Map (apartment) | 250 |
| Knowledge and innovation fees | 20 |
| Government and trustee fees, about | 44,720 |
In other words, plan for a little over 4% of the price in government and trustee fees on a cash purchase, before the agency fee. With a mortgage, add 0.25% of the loan and your bank’s fees.
Questions buyers ask
- Who pays the 4% DLD fee in Dubai?
- It’s commonly paid by the buyer, but your sale agreement should say who pays. For off-plan purchases, the buyer pays it to the developer, which registers the sale with DLD.
- How much should I budget on top of the price?
- For a ready home bought in cash, DLD and trustee fees come to a little over 4% of the price, before the agency fee and service charges. A mortgage adds 0.25% of the loan plus your bank’s own fees.
- Are the fees different for off-plan property?
- The 4% registration fee still applies, but you pay it to the developer, which registers your purchase with DLD. The title deed is issued after the project is complete.
- Will you confirm the exact costs before I buy?
- Yes. Before you commit, we talk you through every fee that applies to your purchase, so nothing comes as a surprise.
Official sources
- Dubai Land Department — Registering a property sale (fees and documents) (opens in a new tab)
- Dubai Land Department — Developers to pay property registration fees within 60 days (opens in a new tab)
- Dubai Land Department — Golden Visa application (investor) (opens in a new tab)
- Reserve Bank of India — Master Direction: Liberalised Remittance Scheme (opens in a new tab)
This guide is general information, checked against the official sources above on 19 October 2026. It isn’t legal, tax or financial advice, and rules and fees can change — please confirm anything you rely on with the relevant authority or a qualified adviser.