Buy Real Estate in Dubai

Real Estate Law in Dubai – Purchase Aspects at a Glance

The purchase of real estate in Dubai is legally well secured for foreigners, including citizens from English-speaking countries.

Since 2002, non-natives have been allowed to acquire real estate with full ownership rights in specially designated freehold areas. These include almost all attractive residential areas (e.g. Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, Arabian Ranches, and many more).

The acquisition is registered in the land registry at the Dubai Land Department and the buyer receives a state property title (Title Deed).

There are various forms of ownership: Common is freehold ownership (full ownership of land and property). In a few cases, long-term leasehold rights exist (leasehold up to 99 years), for example with certain projects – here we advise on optimal structuring.

Overall, investors can rely on the fact that property rights in Dubai – similar to Europe – are protected by a modern land registry system.

Location Selection: The Right Location in Dubai

The location selection has a significant influence on the value development and rental yield of a property. Dubai offers a wide range of locations, from established premium areas to up-and-coming neighborhoods.

Popular top locations include Downtown Dubai, Palm Jumeirah or Dubai Marina, which come with high quality of life and prestige. Here, property prices and rents are correspondingly high, for example, in Jumeirah square meter prices of over AED 25,000 are achieved, and the annual apartment rents on Palm Jumeirah average around AED 264,000 .

At the same time, up-and-coming neighborhoods such as Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai Hills Estate or Jumeirah Village Circle often offer better value for money and high growth potential. In March 2025, Business Bay, Dubai Creek Harbour, Downtown and Dubai Hills Estate were among the most active areas in the market.

We help our clients select the location with the best future potential based on investment objective (yield vs. personal use) and budget.

Viewing and Purchase Processing: Full Service On-Site

A real estate purchase in Dubai can be efficiently organized even for foreigners. On request, we organize a viewing service: We plan on-site appointments in Dubai for property viewings, whether in completed apartments or on construction sites of off-plan projects.

All contract documents (e.g. reservation agreement, purchase contract draft) are carefully reviewed by us in English and explained to you understandably in English.

In practice, the purchase proceeds similarly to Europe: After selecting the property, a reservation contract (Reservation Agreement) is first concluded with a down payment (typically 10%). This is followed by due diligence and the drafting of the Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA).

The actual property transfer takes place either before the Dubai Land Department or – for new construction projects – in the presence of the developer. Buyers pay the remaining purchase price (possibly via an escrow account) and the mentioned 4% fees, whereupon the new title is entered in the land registry.

Thanks to legal requirements, such as the obligation of developers to secure down payments in escrow accounts, off-plan purchases are now relatively well secured.

Our experts ensure that all legal requirements are met and your interests are protected.

Top Developers in Dubai: Emaar, DAMAC & Co.

Those who buy real estate in Dubai inevitably encounter the big names in the industry. Among the outstanding developers in Dubai are particularly Emaar Properties, DAMAC Properties, Sobha Realty and Ellington Properties, they all stand for successful projects and a certain quality assurance.

Emaar Properties – Dubai’s leading developer, known as the builder of the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall. Emaar is partially state-owned and enjoys the highest trust. In January 2025 alone, Emaar recorded over 2,200 sold units with a total value of 8.63 billion AED. Emaar’s projects (e.g. Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, Arabian Ranches) are synonymous with solid construction quality, timely completion and high value retention.

DAMAC Properties – Founded in 2002 by Hussain Sajwani, DAMAC has rapidly developed into one of the largest real estate developers in the emirate. DAMAC stands for luxurious residential high-rises and villa projects, often in cooperation with international brands (e.g. Fendi, Versace). Their portfolio includes DAMAC Hills and DAMAC Lagoons, among others. In some cases, the equipment of DAMAC projects was somewhat more extravagant; nevertheless, investors appreciate the innovation and marketing of this developer.

Sobha Realty – A developer with Indian roots, known in Dubai above all for uncompromising construction quality and attention to detail. Sobha develops high-quality residential ensembles such as Sobha Hartland, where both villas and condominiums are being built in a green environment. Buyers particularly praise Sobha’s above-average construction execution, a valuable quality in a market with many off-plan offerings.

Ellington Properties – As a comparatively younger developer, Ellington has made a name for itself with design-oriented boutique projects. Ellington focuses on thoughtful architecture and high-quality interior design. Examples are Belgravia and Wilton Terraces. These projects are often located in mid-price ranges, but offer outstanding quality and appealing design for this class. For investors looking for something special, Ellington properties are an interesting option.

Of course, there are other well-known developers such as Nakheel (builder of Palm Jumeirah) or Meraas (City Walk, Bluewaters Island).

Our company maintains good contacts with many developers on-site, without however acting as a broker. This allows us to independently assess the advantages of individual projects and developers.

It is always important to check the creditworthiness and history of the developer. With Emaar or Sobha you rarely go wrong, while with smaller, unknown developers you should look more closely.

Thanks to our experience, we know the subtle differences and advise you accordingly on which developer is best suited for your project.

Our Services

As an independent, English-speaking company, Privacy Management Group^* offers its clients a full service around real estate purchase in Dubai.

Our services at a glance:

• Comprehensive Legal Advice & Due Diligence^*: We examine the property and the developer thoroughly in advance. Is the building permit available? Are there encumbrances? Does the purchase contract comply with local laws? As experts, we ensure that your investment is legally secured and that you understand all documents. You benefit from our legally clear, factual advice, as you are used to from English-speaking countries.
• Individual Location and Property Advice^*: Based on your investment objective (Dubai capital investment or personal use), we advise neutrally on locations, property types and developers. We are not bound to any developers and do not receive hidden commissions – your interest has top priority. Through our presence in Dubai, we know the market and micro-locations firsthand. For example, we help you assess whether an off-plan investment in a new neighborhood offers more potential than an existing property in an established quarter.
• Accompaniment of the Purchase Process^* from A to Z: From property viewing (possibly via video call or on-site with us) to contract negotiations to handover of keys, we are at your side.
• We coordinate appraisers, translators, notary appointments as far as necessary and take care of the formalities at the Dubai Land Department. Our English-speaking employees also accompany you personally to appointments to bridge linguistic and cultural communication gaps. Should financing be desired, we support with bank account opening and mediate contacts to local banks.
• Aftercare and Additional Services^*: We do not leave you alone even after the purchase. We also support you with the application for the Golden Visa, if needed also with structuring via companies (if, for example, a foundation or offshore company as owner makes sense for inheritance law reasons).
• We also offer through our network support with property management, rental or later resale. Precisely because we also operate locations in Cyprus and other jurisdictions, we can also assess special tax questions transnationally and offer solutions (e.g. relocation abroad, double taxation agreements, etc.).

With our personal approach, we build trust. You have a fixed English-speaking contact person who understands your concerns and treats them discreetly. As experienced specialists, we know: Real estate purchase is a matter of trust – especially abroad. That is why we value transparency, professionalism and many years of experience. Our advice is argumentatively sound rather than sensational, because it is about your assets and your future place of residence. Clients of Privacy Management Group appreciate that we present complex facts clearly and yet understandably.

Conclusion: Dubai offers exceptional opportunities for real estate buyers from English-speaking countries – tax-free, high-yield and with the option of a Golden Visa. At the same time, market entry requires expert guidance to avoid legal pitfalls and identify the best offers.

Privacy Management Group stands by your side as a trusted partner. Thanks to our independent structure, our on-site presence and our English-Arabic expertise, we make real estate purchase in Dubai as safe and pleasant as possible for you.

Do not hesitate to contact us with any further questions. We look forward to supporting you personally in Dubai.

*in cooperation with licensed partners on-site

We are happy to assist!