The short answer
On top of your deposit, a Dubai property purchase typically carries a Dubai Land Department registration fee of 4 percent of the property value, mortgage registration at 0.25 percent of the mortgage amount, a registration trustee fee and the DLD service fee, plus lender-related costs such as valuation and bank arrangement fees. For a secondary-market purchase, the buyer will also typically pay a real estate brokerage fee of 2 percent of the purchase price, plus 5 percent VAT on the brokerage fee.
What each line is
The Dubai Land Department registration fee is 4 percent of the property sale value in total. By law it is shared equally between the buyer and the seller unless they agree otherwise, and the worked example below assumes the buyer pays all of it. Registering the mortgage costs 0.25 percent of the mortgage amount.
For a secondary-market purchase, the real estate brokerage fee is typically 2 percent of the purchase price, plus 5 percent VAT on the brokerage fee.
The registration trustee charges AED 4,000 plus VAT on transactions of AED 500,000 or more, and AED 2,000 plus VAT below AED 500,000.
The DLD service fee is AED 580.
- RegulationDubai Land Department registration is 4 percent of the property sale value in total.
- RegulationRegistering the mortgage costs 0.25 percent of the mortgage amount.
- Typical market feeReal estate brokerage on a secondary-market purchase is typically 2 percent of the purchase price, plus 5 percent VAT on the brokerage fee.
- RegulationThe trustee charges AED 4,000 plus VAT at or above AED 500,000, and AED 2,000 plus VAT below that.
The lines that vary
Valuation fees and bank arrangement fees are set by the lender and vary across banks. Some banks may waive or refund certain fees depending on the mortgage product or promotion.
Real estate brokerage commission can also vary depending on the agreement with the agency.
For the most accurate estimate, the property, government, mortgage, bank and brokerage costs should be calculated together.
Dubai Land Department fee schedule and applicable UAE VAT regulations, checked 7 October 2026. Bank and brokerage fees may vary by lender, agency and transaction.