This free calculator works out the DLD fee and every other cost of buying property in the UAE, for Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah. Choose ready or off-plan, add a mortgage if you need one, and see the total cash you'll need on top of the price, before you make an offer.
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How to use the buying costs calculator
- Choose the emirate. Fees differ: Dubai charges 4%, Abu Dhabi 2%, and Ras Al Khaimah's fee should be confirmed per property.
- Choose ready or off-plan. Resale purchases include agency and trustee fees, while off-plan purchases from developers usually don't.
- Enter the price. Use the agreed purchase price.
- Add your mortgage. Enter the loan amount to include the registration, valuation and bank fees, or leave it at 0 for a cash purchase.
- Review the total. The result shows each fee, the total and the cash you'll need, which you can send to me for an exact quote.
The main buying costs in each emirate
| Fee | Dubai | Abu Dhabi | Ras Al Khaimah |
|---|---|---|---|
| Land department or registration fee | 4% of the price | 2% of the price | About 2% to 4% (confirm per property) |
| Admin fees | About AED 580 | About AED 1,000 to 3,000; developer admin up to AED 5,000 on off-plan | Varies |
| Registration trustee fee (resale) | AED 4,000 + VAT above AED 500,000; AED 2,000 + VAT below | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Agency commission (resale) | Usually 2% + 5% VAT | Usually 2% + 5% VAT | Usually 2% |
| Mortgage registration | 0.25% of the loan + AED 290 | 0.1% of the loan | Confirm per property |
| Bank valuation | About AED 2,500 to 3,500 | About AED 2,500 to 3,000 + VAT | Similar |
| Bank arrangement fee | Up to 1% of the loan + VAT | Up to 1% of the loan + VAT | Up to 1% of the loan + VAT |
Figures as published in 2026. Fees can change and some developers offer waivers, so I confirm the exact costs for every purchase.
Off-plan vs resale costs
When you buy off-plan directly from a developer, you usually don't pay agency commission, and the registration is handled through the developer. Some launches also include a land department fee waiver as a promotion. On a resale purchase, budget for the agency fee and the trustee office fee as well.
For a full guide to the process, read how to buy property in Dubai as a foreigner or how to buy off-plan property in Abu Dhabi.
A worked example: AED 2 million resale in Dubai, paid in cash
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Dubai Land Department fee (4%) | AED 80,000 |
| DLD admin fee | AED 580 |
| Trustee fee (incl. VAT) | AED 4,200 |
| Agency commission (2% + VAT) | AED 42,000 |
| Total buying costs | AED 126,780 (about 6.3%) |
Buying costs at different prices
| Purchase | Total buying costs | As % of price |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai resale, AED 1,000,000, cash | AED 65,780 | 6.6% |
| Dubai resale, AED 2,000,000, cash | AED 126,780 | 6.3% |
| Dubai resale, AED 5,000,000, cash | AED 309,780 | 6.2% |
| Dubai off-plan, AED 2,000,000 | AED 80,580 | 4.0% |
| Abu Dhabi resale, AED 2,000,000, cash | AED 84,000 | 4.2% |
| Abu Dhabi off-plan, AED 2,000,000 | AED 45,000 | 2.3% |
| Ras Al Khaimah resale, AED 1,000,000, cash | AED 41,000 to 61,000 | 4.1% to 6.1% |
Calculated with the fees in this calculator. Resale examples include 2% agency commission plus VAT. Abu Dhabi admin fees are estimates.
Who pays which fee?
In Dubai, the 4% Dubai Land Department fee is customarily paid by the buyer, although it can be negotiated, and some developers cover it on off-plan launches as a promotion. The seller usually pays the developer's no-objection certificate fee on a resale. In Abu Dhabi, who pays the 2% registration fee can be agreed between buyer and seller, so check your sale agreement. This calculator assumes the buyer pays all of it, to be on the safe side. Agency commission is normally paid by the buyer on resale purchases.
Fees when you buy with a mortgage
A mortgage adds roughly 1% to 1.5% of the loan in extra costs:
- Mortgage registration: 0.25% of the loan plus AED 290 in Dubai, and 0.1% of the loan in Abu Dhabi.
- Bank valuation: around AED 2,500 to 3,500.
- Arrangement fee: up to 1% of the loan plus VAT. Some banks waive it on promotions.
- Life insurance: usually required, at around 0.15% to 0.25% of the balance a year.
See your monthly payments and full upfront cash with the mortgage calculator.
Costs after you buy
Buying costs are a one-off, but budget for ongoing costs too: the annual service charge, which varies by building, district cooling in some communities, home insurance, and maintenance. There is no annual property tax on homes in Dubai, although residents pay a municipality housing fee through their utility bill. The rental yield calculator includes these when you assess an investment.
How to reduce your buying costs
- Look for developer offers such as DLD fee waivers or paid service charges on new launches.
- Consider off-plan, where there's usually no agency fee for the buyer.
- Compare bank fees as well as interest rates, since arrangement fees vary.
- Consider Abu Dhabi, where the registration fee is 2% rather than 4%.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the DLD fee in Dubai?
The Dubai Land Department fee is 4% of the purchase price, plus a small admin fee. It is usually paid by the buyer.
What are the buying costs in Abu Dhabi?
Abu Dhabi charges a 2% registration fee, half of Dubai's, plus admin fees, and 0.1% of the loan for mortgage registration.
How much should I budget on top of the price in Dubai?
For a cash resale purchase, budget about 6% to 7% of the price. A mortgage adds roughly 1% to 1.5% more in bank and registration fees.
Do I pay agency commission on off-plan property?
Usually not. Off-plan purchases from developers normally carry no agency commission for the buyer.
Who pays the DLD fee in Dubai, the buyer or the seller?
The buyer customarily pays the 4% Dubai Land Department fee, although it can be negotiated, and some developers cover it on off-plan launches.
Is the DLD fee included in the property price?
No. The 4% fee is paid on top of the purchase price.
How much is the trustee office fee in Dubai?
AED 4,000 plus VAT for properties above AED 500,000, and AED 2,000 plus VAT below that, on resale purchases.
Are there annual property taxes in Dubai?
No. There is no annual property tax on homes in Dubai, but owners pay annual service charges to maintain the building or community.
More free investor tools
These tools give estimates for guidance only and are not financial, legal or mortgage advice. Fees, bank policies and visa rules change, so please confirm before you commit.
RERA-licensed real estate consultant at Aeon & Trisl, specialising in off-plan and investment property, with AED 600M+ in closed deals and 100+ clients worldwide.