Buying property in Dubai: the essential questions.

Yes. In Dubai's designated freehold areas — which include most of the sought-after communities — foreign buyers can own property outright, in their own name, without a local partner or a residence permit. Ownership is registered with the Dubai Land Department.

For a resale property: agreement on the price, signature of the sale contract (an MoU, known as Form F), a no-objection certificate from the developer, then transfer of ownership at a Dubai Land Department trustee office, where the new title deed is issued. For an off-plan property: reservation, signature of the sales and purchase agreement (SPA), registration on the Dubai Land Department's off-plan register (Oqood), payments according to the plan, then handover and title deed. We guide you through every step.

Off-plan means buying at the developer's price with a staggered payment plan, often with room for appreciation by completion — but you wait for delivery before living in it or earning rent. A ready property can be lived in or rented out straight away. The right choice depends on your objective and your timeline: it is exactly what we look at together during the free consultation.

Yes. Several banks in the UAE lend to non-residents, generally with a larger down payment than for residents. Conditions vary from one bank and one profile to another: we put you in touch with our banking partners.

Before you commit, we verify that the developer and the project are registered with RERA, that off-plan payments go into a regulated escrow account, and that the sale will be properly registered with the Dubai Land Department. It is the diligence you would expect in Switzerland, applied to Dubai.

Dubai levies no personal tax on rental income, no capital gains tax on resale and no annual property tax. The main cost is a one-off Dubai Land Department transfer fee of 4% of the purchase price. Your country of residence may apply its own rules, so we recommend confirming your situation with a tax adviser there.

The main cost is the Dubai Land Department transfer fee of 4% of the purchase price, plus registration and trustee office fees. On off-plan purchases you pay no agency commission with us; on the secondary market, our fee is 2%. We give you the full breakdown before you commit.

They are annual fees paid by owners for the upkeep of the building and the community: maintenance, security, cleaning and shared facilities. They are calculated per square foot and regulated by RERA, which publishes the approved rates for each project — we include them in every return projection.

Our consultations are always free and without obligation. On off-plan purchases, you pay the developer's price, with no commission. On the secondary market, our fee is a minimal 2%.

Yes. A property investment of at least AED 2 million can currently qualify for a renewable 10-year Golden Visa, which can include your family. We handle the entire application for you.

Yes. Short-term rental is allowed with a holiday home permit issued by Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism. We prepare your property for this market — furnishing, decoration, small renovations — and guide you through the permit, so it is ready to welcome guests.