Dubai Property Purchase Cost Calculator

CBUAE-verifiedUpdated 2 June 2026Reviewed by a UAE-qualified accountant

How much cash do you really need to buy in Dubai? This calculator itemises every upfront fee — the 4% DLD transfer, registration, agency, and (if you're financing) mortgage and valuation costs — using figures verified against the Dubai Land Department schedule, so you can budget the true cost to close.

Purchase details

AED
AED

Down payment = price − loan.

Advanced: adjust fees
%

0.5–1% of the loan is typical; some banks waive it.

AED

Typically AED 2,500–3,500.

AED

AED 500–5,000; often paid by the seller.

Total cash needed to buy
AED 551,020
AED 400,000 deposit + AED 151,020 fees (7.6% of price)
Down paymentAED 400,000
DLD transfer feeDubai Land Department— 4% of property priceAED 80,000
DLD admin charges— fixed bundle (~AED 580)AED 580
Registration trustee fee— AED 4,000 + VATAED 4,200
Agency commissionRERA market standard (negotiable)— 2% of price + 5% VATAED 42,000
Mortgage registration (DLD)Dubai Land Department— 0.25% of loan + AED 290AED 4,290
Property valuationBank/valuer practice (valuation itself is CBUAE-required)— ~AED 3,000 + VATAED 3,150
Bank arrangement feeBank practice— 1.00% of loan + VATAED 16,800
Total upfront cashAED 551,020

DLD and registration fees are verified against the Dubai Land Department schedule. Agency, valuation and bank fees are market practice and vary — adjust them above.

The real cost of buying property in Dubai

The deposit is only part of the cash you need. On top of your down payment, expect to pay roughly 6% to 8% of the purchase price in transaction fees. Knowing the breakdown in advance prevents a nasty surprise at the transfer appointment.

Costs every buyer pays

  • DLD transfer fee — 4% of the price. The Dubai Land Department's headline charge. Legally split 2%/2% buyer and seller, but buyers customarily pay the full 4%.
  • DLD admin charges — ~AED 580. A bundle of fixed fees (title deed, map, knowledge and innovation fees).
  • Registration trustee fee — AED 2,000 or 4,000 + VAT. AED 2,000 for property under AED 500,000, AED 4,000 at or above it, paid to the registration trustee centre.
  • Agency commission — 2% + 5% VAT. If you use an agent. Negotiable market standard.

Extra costs if you take a mortgage

  • Mortgage registration — 0.25% of the loan + AED 290, paid to the DLD.
  • Property valuation — ~AED 2,500–3,500 + VAT. A CBUAE-required independent valuation; the amount is set by the bank/valuer.
  • Bank arrangement fee — 0.5–1% of the loan + VAT. Some banks waive this on promotions.

Already know your loan amount? Start from the mortgage eligibility calculator and it will carry your numbers straight into this cost breakdown.

Frequently asked questions

What are the upfront costs of buying property in Dubai?
Budget roughly 6–8% of the price on top of your deposit. The main items are the 4% Dubai Land Department (DLD) transfer fee, ~AED 580 DLD admin charges, the registration trustee fee (AED 2,000 or 4,000 + VAT), and 2% agency commission + VAT. With a mortgage, add 0.25% of the loan + AED 290 for mortgage registration, a valuation fee (~AED 2,500–3,500) and a bank arrangement fee (0.5–1% of the loan).
How much is the DLD fee in Dubai?
The Dubai Land Department transfer fee is 4% of the property price. Legally it is split 2% buyer / 2% seller, but in standard practice the buyer pays the full 4%. There is also a small fixed admin bundle of about AED 580.
What is the mortgage registration fee in Dubai?
Mortgage registration is 0.25% of the loan amount plus a AED 290 admin fee, paid to the DLD. It is calculated on the loan, not the property price, and only applies if you buy with a mortgage.
Do I pay agency commission as the buyer?
If you buy through an agent, the standard commission is 2% of the price plus 5% VAT. It is a market convention set by RERA practice, not a government-fixed fee, so it can be negotiated.
Who pays the developer NOC fee?
The No Objection Certificate fee (typically AED 500–5,000) applies to resale transactions and is set by the developer. It is often paid by the seller, since the NOC confirms the seller’s service charges are settled — but it can be allocated differently in the sale agreement.

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