Foreign property ownership in the UAE, explained: each emirate draws its own map.

Who can own property in Dubai?

UAE nationals, GCC nationals, companies wholly owned by them, and public joint stock companies can own anywhere. Other nationals can, subject to the Ruler's approval and only in areas the Ruler determines, hold freehold without time limit, or usufruct or leasehold for up to 99 years.

That is Article 4 of Dubai Law No. 7 of 2006. The areas are fixed by regulation and attach to specific plots, not to a community name.

What are Dubai's freehold areas?

The areas listed in Regulation No. 3 of 2006, issued on 7 June 2006, and later amendments. They include Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali, Emirates Hills, Jebel Ali, Al Barsha South, The World Islands, Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Jaddaf, Mirdif, Nad Al Sheba, Ras Al Khor, Umm Hurair 2, Al Qouz and Warsan 1.

The right attaches to the land plots on the DLD's maps. A law firm reported in January 2025 that owners of 128 plots on Sheikh Zayed Road and 329 plots in Al Jaddaf were allowed to convert to freehold. The same article cited a conversion fee that was not found on a DLD page. Treat any published list as a starting point and check the plot with the DLD.

Where can foreigners buy property in Abu Dhabi?

In nine investment zones: Yas Island, Saadiyat, Reem, Maryah, Lulu, Al Raha Beach, Sayh Al Sedairah, Al Reef and Masdar City. Abu Dhabi uses 99-year ownership, musataha (50 years, renewable), usufruct (99 years) and long leases. April 2019 amendments allowed non-UAE nationals to own property within the investment areas.

One register rule is specific: for non-UAE and non-GCC owners, apartment registration is limited to units other than the ground floor, within the investment areas. A commercial source says transfers on Al Reem Island, which falls under ADGM, run through ADGM's own system rather than DARI.

Can foreigners own property in Sharjah?

Not freehold. Sharjah grants foreigners usufruct only, for a maximum of 100 years, in zones designated by the government and with the Ruler's approval, according to the UAE Government portal.

Usufruct is a right to use and benefit from the property for the term, not ownership of it. Read the term and its renewal conditions before you buy.

Do you have to be a UAE resident to own property there?

No, not in Dubai. The Dubai Land Department accepts a valid passport from a non-resident foreigner in place of an Emirates ID when a sale is registered. A power of attorney is also accepted.

Owning property can support residence rather than require it: property worth AED 2,000,000 or more qualifies for a 10-year Golden Visa. The rules: buying property in Dubai as a foreigner.

What makes ownership legally valid in Dubai?

Registration. Under Article 9 of Law No. 7 of 2006, dispositions are not deemed valid unless recorded in the Property Register kept by the Dubai Land Department. For off-plan units, Law No. 13 of 2008 makes a sale void unless it is entered in the Interim Property Register, called Oqood.

How both registers work: Dubai title deeds and Oqood, explained.

Header photo: Makalu, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons. All credits: image credits.