How much extra should I budget on top of the Dubai property price?

Roughly 6 to 8% for a cash purchase: 4% Dubai Land Department transfer fee, about 2% agency commission plus VAT, trustee and administration fees, and any developer NOC. A mortgage adds registration and bank fees.

Who pays the Dubai Land Department fee?

The DLD fee is 4% of the property value. By market practice it is usually paid by the buyer, though it can be negotiated or split.

What property qualifies for the UAE Golden Visa?

Property valued at AED 2 million or more can qualify its owner for the 10-year Golden Visa. Criteria on mortgaged and off-plan units have been adjusted before, so check current rules with the authorities.

Are there ongoing costs after I buy?

Yes. Annual service charges per square foot, building insurance in some cases, utilities, and property management fees if you let it out.

Dubai Property Buying Costs for Indian Investors: The Full Fee Breakdown

The advertised price is the start of the cost. Dubai buyers from India usually find that fees, commission and charges add roughly 6 to 8% before furniture, and that annual service charges eat into rental yield. Here is the full breakdown, with a worked example.

One-Time Costs

Item	Typical amount	Notes
Dubai Land Department transfer fee	4% of property value	Usually paid by the buyer in practice; negotiable
Agency commission	About 2% plus VAT	Only if an agent is used; confirm in writing
Trustee office fee	About AED 4,000 plus VAT	For title deed processing on a sale
Developer NOC	AED 500 to 5,000	Resale units; amount set by the developer
Mortgage registration (if financed)	0.25% of the loan	Plus bank arrangement and valuation fees, often about 1%
Off-plan registration	Set by DLD	Registered through the Oqood system; see our off-plan guide

A Worked Example: AED 2,000,000 Apartment, Cash Purchase

Item	AED
DLD transfer fee at 4%	80,000
Agency commission at 2%	40,000
VAT on commission at 5%	2,000
Trustee fee plus VAT (about)	4,200
Total one-time costs (about)	126,200 (6.3%)

Add a mortgage, a developer NOC or furnishing and the figure moves toward 8%. Use our currency converter to see the total in rupees at today's rate; the dirham is pegged to the US dollar, so rupee movement against the dollar changes your cost.

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Recurring Costs

Service charges: set per square foot each year by the building or community and varying widely by project. Ask for the last year's figure and what it covers.
Utilities and cooling: district cooling charges can be significant in some communities.
Management and letting: if you let the property, agencies charge a fee on rent and on finding a tenant.
Home insurance and maintenance as applicable.

What Rental Yields Look Like

Published ranges often quote gross yields of about 5 to 8% depending on location and unit type, but your net yield is lower after service charges, management fees and vacancy. Run the numbers yourself in our rental yield calculator, and compare with Jaipur in Dubai versus Jaipur for NRI investors.

The Golden Visa Threshold

Property valued at AED 2 million or more by the Dubai Land Department can make you eligible for the 10-year Golden Visa. The rules on mortgaged and off-plan units have changed more than once, so check the current criteria with the authorities before you let the visa drive the purchase.

General information, not advice. Tax, FEMA/RBI and Dubai rules change often. This article is not legal, tax or financial advice. Confirm current rules with your bank, a chartered accountant and, where relevant, the Dubai Land Department before you commit money.

How We Researched This

Checked against the public pages below in October 2026. Several are secondary summaries, so confirm the current rule with the official body, your bank or a qualified adviser before acting.