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Commercial Real Estate
Whether securing office space for compliance or investing capital, understanding the bifurcation of UAE property zones is critical.
Freehold vs. Non-Freehold
Historically, foreigners could not own land in the UAE. This changed in the early 2000s when Dubai introduced designated "Freehold Areas."
- Freehold Areas: Any nationality can purchase real estate with absolute ownership (e.g., Dubai Marina, Downtown, Palm Jumeirah).
- Non-Freehold Areas: Ownership is restricted to UAE and GCC nationals. Expatriates can only lease.
Office Leasing & Ejari
For Mainland DED companies, a physical office is a statutory requirement. You cannot share an office unofficially; it must have an independent Ejari.
Ejari (Arabic for 'My Rent') is the government portal in Dubai where all tenancy contracts must be registered. Without an Ejari certificate, you cannot renew your trade license or process employee visas.
Transaction Costs (Dubai)
| Fee Type | Standard Rate |
|---|---|
| Dubai Land Department (DLD) Transfer Fee | 4% of property value (+ AED 580 admin) |
| Real Estate Agency Commission | 2% of property value (often + VAT) |
| NOC (No Objection Certificate) from Developer | AED 500 - AED 5,000 |
| Mortgage Registration Fee (if applicable) | 0.25% of loan amount |