How much are closing costs in Dubai?

Budget 7–10% of the purchase price when buying with a mortgage, or about 6–7% in cash. The largest single item is the 4% Dubai Land Department transfer fee, followed by the 2% agency commission plus VAT.

Does the buyer or the seller pay the 4% DLD fee?

Legally the fee is split 2% each, but Dubai market practice is that the buyer pays the full 4%. It is negotiable in principle, and in a soft market some sellers do contribute.

What deposit do I need as an expat in Dubai?

20% for your first property valued under AED 5 million, 30% if it is valued above AED 5 million, and 40% for a second or subsequent property. Off-plan purchases are capped at 50% LTV.

Are there annual property taxes in Dubai?

No. Dubai levies no annual property tax and no capital-gains tax on residential property. Ongoing costs are service charges paid to the building’s owners association, plus a 5% municipality fee on residential rent that tenants pay through DEWA.

Can I add the DLD fee to my mortgage?

Generally no. UAE Central Bank rules require transaction costs to be funded from your own money, not borrowed — so the 4% DLD fee and other closing costs must come out of pocket, on top of your deposit.

Dubai Property Purchase Cost Calculator

Updated 6 August 2026 · Built by the Cresco Real Estate market team · Figures based on Dubai Land Department and UAE Central Bank published rules.

Work out the full cost of buying a property in Dubai — DLD transfer fee, registration, agency commission, mortgage charges and your deposit — and see exactly how much cash you need on the day.

Dubai Purchase Cost Calculator

Enter your details to see every fee and the total cash you need at closing.

Property price (AED)

Agency commission (%)

Buyer status

Is this your first Dubai property?

Property type

How are you paying?

What you actually pay when you buy property in Dubai

Dubai has no annual property tax and no capital-gains tax, but a purchase does carry one-off transaction costs. Budget roughly 7–10% of the purchase price on top of the price itself if you are buying with a mortgage, or closer to 6–7% in cash. Here is every line item and who charges it.

Cost	Amount	Paid to
DLD transfer fee	4% of purchase price	Dubai Land Department
Title deed issuance	AED 580	Dubai Land Department
Trustee / registration fee	AED 2,000 under AED 500k; AED 4,000 above — plus 5% VAT	Registration trustee office
Agency commission	2% of price + 5% VAT (market standard)	Your broker
Developer NOC	AED 500 – 5,000 + VAT	Developer
Mortgage registration	0.25% of loan + AED 290	Dubai Land Department
Bank valuation	AED 2,500 – 3,500	Your lender

The DLD transfer fee is legally split 2% buyer / 2% seller, but in practice the buyer almost always pays the full 4% — so that is how this calculator treats it.

How much deposit you need

Your minimum down payment is set by UAE Central Bank lending rules, not by the bank’s preference. It depends on whether you are a national or an expat, whether this is your first Dubai property, and whether the property is worth more or less than AED 5 million. Note that the AED 5m threshold applies to the valuation, not the loan.

Buyer	First property under AED 5m	First property over AED 5m	Second or more
UAE / GCC national	15% down (85% LTV)	25% down (75% LTV)	35% down (65% LTV)
Expat resident	20% down (80% LTV)	30% down (70% LTV)	40% down (60% LTV)
Non-resident	Typically 35–40% down, set by the individual bank		Bank discretion

Off-plan is different: mortgages on off-plan property are capped at 50% LTV for everyone, so expect a 50% deposit if you are financing an off-plan purchase. Most off-plan buyers instead use the developer’s payment plan and take a mortgage on handover.

Frequently asked questions

How much are closing costs in Dubai?: Budget 7–10% of the purchase price when buying with a mortgage, or about 6–7% in cash. The largest single item is the 4% Dubai Land Department transfer fee, followed by the 2% agency commission plus VAT.
Does the buyer or the seller pay the 4% DLD fee?: Legally the fee is split 2% each, but Dubai market practice is that the buyer pays the full 4%. It is negotiable in principle, and in a soft market some sellers do contribute.
What deposit do I need as an expat in Dubai?: 20% for your first property valued under AED 5 million, 30% if it is valued above AED 5 million, and 40% for a second or subsequent property. Off-plan purchases are capped at 50% LTV.
Are there annual property taxes in Dubai?: No. Dubai levies no annual property tax and no capital-gains tax on residential property. Ongoing costs are service charges paid to the building’s owners association, plus a 5% municipality fee on residential rent that tenants pay through DEWA.
Can I add the DLD fee to my mortgage?: Generally no. UAE Central Bank rules require transaction costs to be funded from your own money, not borrowed — so the 4% DLD fee and other closing costs must come out of pocket, on top of your deposit.

Related Cresco tools & guides

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Disclaimer: This calculator provides indicative estimates based on published Dubai Land Department fees and UAE Central Bank lending rules current at the time of writing. Actual costs vary by developer, bank, property and transaction structure. Figures are not financial, legal or tax advice. Speak to a licensed advisor and confirm all figures with your bank and the DLD before committing to a purchase.