Buyer guide · Dubai
Buying a branded residence in Dubai as a foreigner
How a foreign buyer can own a branded residence in Dubai depends on the country's rules and on the building. Of the 33 on our list with a recorded tenure, all 33 are freehold.
In Dubai, the right to own property is restricted to UAE and GCC nationals, companies wholly owned by them and public joint stock companies; other foreigners may, with the Ruler's approval, hold property rights only in areas determined by the Ruler (the freehold areas).
In Dubai's designated areas foreigners may hold freehold without time limit, or a usufruct or leasehold of up to 99 years.
The Dubai Land Department charges a 4% registration fee on the sale value (its fee schedule splits it 2% buyer, 2% seller), plus a AED 250 title-deed fee and a service-partner fee of AED 4,000 + VAT on sales of AED 500,000 or more; the first supply of a new home is zero-rated for VAT and resales are VAT-exempt.
Dubai property bought for AED 2 million or more (one or more units, wholly owned in the applicant's name; a share in a jointly owned property must itself be worth AED 2 million) qualifies for a renewable 10-year Golden Visa, which can sponsor a spouse, children and parents. A mortgaged property is accepted with the bank's no-objection letter showing the amount paid (the Dubai Land Department asks for AED 2 million paid), a lien is placed on the property, and it may not be disposed of during the 10-year residency.
This is a summary, not legal advice; a lawyer in the United Arab Emirates should check the title and the terms before any deposit.
- Freehold
- 33
- Leasehold
- 0
- With a running cost
- 4
From each residence’s researched record, with its sources on the residence’s page. A dash means nothing has been published.
The 33 residences in this guide
33 residences
Four Seasons Private Residences Dubai International Financial Centre
Dubai · Due 2029 · 61 units
From AED 23m
Four Seasons Private Residences Dubai at Jumeirah
Dubai · Since 2023 · 28 units
Launched from about AED 19m (2020)
The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Dubai, Business Bay
Dubai · Since 2025 · 54 units
The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Dubai, Creekside
Dubai · Due 2027 · 205 units
Apartments from AED 11m (2022)
The St. Regis Residences, Downtown, Dubai
Dubai · Since 2026 · 402 units
From AED 2.6m
The St. Regis Residences, Financial Center Road, Dubai
Dubai · Since 2026 · 230 units
AED 2.75m–22m
W Residences Dubai - Jumeirah Lakes Towers
Dubai · Due 2028 · 185 units
From AED 2.2m
W Residences at Dubai Harbour
Dubai · Due 2027 · 400 units
From AED 4.27m
W Residences Dubai - The Palm
Dubai · 104 units
From AED 13.5m
Fairmont Residences Solara Tower, Dubai
Dubai · Due 2027 · 246 units
From AED 2.7m
Karl Lagerfeld Villas
Dubai · Due 2027 · 51 units
From AED 17.55m
Cavalli Couture at Dubai Water Canal
Dubai · 70 units
From AED 22m
Bulgari Lighthouse, Dubai
Dubai · Due 2027 · 31 units
From AED 80m
Baccarat Hotel & Residences Dubai
Dubai · Since 2026 · 91 units
From about AED 17m (2026)
The Residences at The Dubai Beach EDITION
Dubai · Due 2029 · 165 units
From about AED 8.5m (2026)
JW Marriott Residences at Dubai Islands, Central
Dubai · Due 2028 · 115 units
From about AED 2.4m (2026)
Marriott Residences Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai
Dubai · 535 units
From AED 2.1m
Marriott Residences Dubai, Business Bay
Dubai
From about AED 1.25m (2026)
Affini, A Tribute Portfolio Residence
Dubai · Since 2026
From AED 800,000
W Residences Dubai – Downtown
Dubai · Since 2026 · 384 units
From AED 1.7m
Mandarin Oriental Residences Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai
Dubai · Due 2030 · 97 units
Rosewood Residences Dubai
Dubai · Due 2029 · 68 units
From AED 28.67m
Six Senses Residences Dubai Marina
Dubai · Due 2029 · 251 units
From AED 5.8m
Six Senses Residences The Palm, Dubai
Dubai · Since 2026 · 172 units
From about AED 14m (2026)
The Lana Residences, Dorchester Collection, Dubai
Dubai · Since 2023 · 39 units
A penthouse sold for AED 139m (2024)
ORLA, Dorchester Collection, Dubai
Dubai · Since 2026 · 93 units
From about AED 20.5m (2026)
VELA, Dorchester Collection, Dubai
Dubai · Due 2027 · 38 units
From AED 43m
The Alba Residences, Dorchester Collection, Dubai
Dubai · Due 2028 · 88 units
From AED 44m
VELA Viento, Dorchester Collection, Dubai
Dubai · Due 2027 · 95 units
From AED 27.66m
Address Residences – The Bay
Dubai · Since 2026
Launched from about AED 2.9m (2026)
The Chedi Private Residences
Dubai · Due 2029 · 117 units
From AED 10m
SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences
Dubai · Since 2021 · 371 units
Jumeirah Residences Emirates Towers
Dubai · Due 2030 · 754 units
From AED 3.5m
What to know
In Dubai, the right to own property is restricted to UAE and GCC nationals, companies wholly owned by them and public joint stock companies; other foreigners may, with the Ruler's approval, hold property rights only in areas determined by the Ruler (the freehold areas).
Four Seasons Private Residences Dubai International Financial Centre; Four Seasons Private Residences Dubai at Jumeirah; The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Dubai, Business Bay; The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Dubai, Creekside; The St. Regis Residences, Downtown, Dubai; The St. Regis Residences, Financial Center Road, Dubai; W Residences Dubai - Jumeirah Lakes Towers; W Residences at Dubai Harbour; W Residences Dubai - The Palm; Fairmont Residences Solara Tower, Dubai; Karl Lagerfeld Villas; Cavalli Couture at Dubai Water Canal; Bulgari Lighthouse, Dubai; Baccarat Hotel & Residences Dubai; The Residences at The Dubai Beach EDITION; JW Marriott Residences at Dubai Islands, Central; Marriott Residences Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai; Marriott Residences Dubai, Business Bay; Affini, A Tribute Portfolio Residence; W Residences Dubai – Downtown; Mandarin Oriental Residences Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai; Rosewood Residences Dubai; Six Senses Residences Dubai Marina; Six Senses Residences The Palm, Dubai; The Lana Residences, Dorchester Collection, Dubai; ORLA, Dorchester Collection, Dubai; VELA, Dorchester Collection, Dubai; The Alba Residences, Dorchester Collection, Dubai; VELA Viento, Dorchester Collection, Dubai; Address Residences – The Bay; The Chedi Private Residences; SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences and Jumeirah Residences Emirates Towers.
The Dubai Land Department charges a 4% registration fee on the sale value (its fee schedule splits it 2% buyer, 2% seller), plus a AED 250 title-deed fee and a service-partner fee of AED 4,000 + VAT on sales of AED 500,000 or more; the first supply of a new home is zero-rated for VAT and resales are VAT-exempt.
Dubai property bought for AED 2 million or more (one or more units, wholly owned in the applicant's name; a share in a jointly owned property must itself be worth AED 2 million) qualifies for a renewable 10-year Golden Visa, which can sponsor a spouse, children and parents. A mortgaged property is accepted with the bank's no-objection letter showing the amount paid (the Dubai Land Department asks for AED 2 million paid), a lien is placed on the property, and it may not be disposed of during the 10-year residency.
Compare all 33 in a table
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