Can a Pole buy property in Dubai? Rules for foreigners in 2026

In brief

• Yes: a Pole can buy property in Dubai with full freehold ownership, but only in designated freehold zones.
• Zones: including Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, Business Bay and Jumeirah Village Circle.
• Formalities: no local partner or UAE citizenship is needed; the transaction is registered by the Dubai Land Department (DLD).
• Purchase costs: a DLD fee of 4% of the price, about AED 580 for the title deed and AED 2,000–4,000 + VAT for the registration fee.
• Taxes: there is no annual property tax in Dubai; as a Polish tax resident you still have obligations in Poland.

Many clients ask us whether a foreigner, including a Pole, can buy an apartment or house in Dubai. The answer is yes. Below we explain where you can buy, what the procedure looks like and what costs you need to take into account.

Can a Pole buy property in Dubai as an owner?

Yes. In designated freehold zones foreigners can acquire property with full freehold ownership, without needing a local partner or UAE citizenship. You also do not have to live in Dubai or have a residence visa there to buy.

In which districts of Dubai can foreigners buy?

These are freehold zones, which include Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, Business Bay and Jumeirah Village Circle. You will find descriptions of the districts in our guide to Dubai’s districts.

What does the purchase look like step by step?

A purchase on the secondary market (a completed property) can be completed in as little as 1–4 weeks from reservation, because the transfer of ownership takes place directly at the Dubai Land Department. A purchase from a developer “off-plan” (under construction) takes longer and depends on the project schedule. You will find a full description of the stages in the article The property purchase procedure in Dubai step by step.

What costs should be added to the price?

The main cost is the DLD transfer fee of 4% of the property price. On top of that come the fee for issuing the title deed (about AED 580) and the registration fee (AED 2,000–4,000 + VAT). After the purchase you pay ongoing service charges for the upkeep of the building or complex. We discuss the details in the article Costs and taxes in Dubai.

Is an annual property tax paid in Dubai?

No. There is no annual property tax in Dubai (the equivalent of the Polish property tax), and in the United Arab Emirates there is no personal income tax, so rental income is not taxed there. As a Polish tax resident, however, you must remember your tax obligations in Poland, which is why we recommend consulting a tax adviser.

Can a foreigner get a mortgage to buy in Dubai?

Yes. Some banks in the UAE offer mortgages to non-residents, usually financing 50–75% of the property value. The conditions and availability depend on the bank, the income and the residency status of the buyer.

Does buying a property give a right to a visa?

Yes. An investment in property worth from AED 2 million qualifies for the 10-year UAE investor visa (Golden Visa). For lower amounts, shorter investor visas linked to property are available. We describe the current rules in the article Golden Visa in Dubai 2026.

Do I pay World Residence a commission as a buyer?

No. Offers on our site carry no commission charged to the buyer, and the price of the property is identical to buying directly from the developer. See current apartments for sale in Dubai and houses for sale in Dubai.

This article is informational and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Before purchase it is worth consulting an independent lawyer and a tax adviser.

Updated: 13 October 2026. Sources: Dubai Land Department, GDRFA Dubai.

Main photo: petter palander (CC BY 2.0) — Wikimedia Commons.

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