How to buy an apartment in Dubai in 2026
To buy an apartment in Dubai as an international investor, you need to choose a property in one of the 60+ Freehold zones where non-residents have full ownership rights. Prices range from AED 600,000 (~USD 163,000) for a 1BR in areas like JVC, up to AED 5,000,000+ (~USD 1.36M) in premium zones such as Downtown or Palm Jumeirah. The full process takes 30-60 days and includes: property selection, reservation, SPA signing, 4% DLD Fee payment, and Title Deed issuance.
Aura Nova Real Estate, the AI-powered platform for investing in UAE real estate, guides you through every step of the purchase process: from AI-driven shortlisting to the final signing. No cost to the investor, with personalized human advisory.
Apartment prices in Dubai by area (2026)
| Area | 1BR | 2BR | 3BR |
|---|---|---|---|
| JVC (Jumeirah Village Circle) | 630K | 990K | 1.4M |
| Arjan | 600K | 950K | 1.3M |
| Business Bay | 1.1M | 1.8M | 2.7M |
| Dubai Marina | 1.4M | 2.2M | 3.5M |
| JBR | 1.5M | 2.2M | 3.8M |
| Downtown Dubai | 2.0M | 3.5M | 5.5M |
| Palm Jumeirah | 2.5M | 5.7M | 9.5M |
Prices in AED. Approximate exchange rate: 1 AED = 0.27 USD = 0.25 EUR
Step-by-step process to buy an apartment in Dubai
- Define your goal: Primary residence, investment rental, second home, or Golden Visa
- Free consultation with Aura Nova Real Estate: Video call to understand your needs
- AI-powered shortlist: Our AI filters 2,400+ properties matching your profile
- Virtual or in-person viewing: 3D tours, drone footage, and physical visits if you are in Dubai
- Reservation with deposit: 10-20% of the property value
- SPA signing: Sales and Purchase Agreement with all terms and conditions
- Full payment: For ready property: cash or mortgage. For off-plan: 1% monthly payment plan
- DLD Registration: 4% DLD Fee payment and Title Deed issuance
- Handover: Immediate for ready property, on the agreed date for off-plan
Required documents
- Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity)
- Passport photos
- Proof of source of funds
- Bank letter or statement of account
- For off-plan: signed payment plan
- Developer NOC (handled by Aura Nova Real Estate)
Complete costs when buying an apartment
- • Property price: Varies by area
- • DLD Fee: 4% of value (official registration)
- • DLD admin fee: AED 580
- • Developer NOC: AED 500-5,000
- • Agent commission: 2% (Aura Nova Real Estate included at no extra cost)
- • Legal conveyancing: AED 5,000-15,000 (recommended)
- • Total transaction cost: ~5-7% of property value
Want to see available apartments right now?
Aura Nova Real Estate, the AI-powered platform for investing in United Arab Emirates real estate, has 2,400+ verified properties with AI analysis.