How much are buying costs in Dubai on top of the price?

For a ready home bought in cash, expect around 7% on top of the price once you add the 4% Dubai Land Department fee, the trustee and title deed fees, and a typical 2% agency fee plus VAT. A mortgage adds registration, valuation and bank fees. Use the Buying costs tab for your own figures.

What is the Dubai Land Department fee?

It is 4% of the purchase price, paid when ownership is registered. By law it is split between buyer and seller, but in practice the buyer usually pays it in full.

What is a good rental yield in Dubai?

It depends on the area, the type of home and your costs. Our area guides show published average prices and rents for each community, with their source and date, so you can work out a gross yield and then test your own costs here.

What is the difference between gross and net yield?

Gross yield is the annual rent divided by the price. Net yield takes off running costs such as service charges, management, maintenance, insurance and time between tenants, and divides by everything you paid, including fees. It is before mortgage costs and tax, and it only includes the costs you enter.

Can I get a mortgage in Dubai as a foreigner?

Yes. UAE banks lend to residents and non-residents. Under UAE Central Bank rules, expats need a deposit of at least 20% on a first home under AED 5 million, and more above that. Rates and terms vary by bank, so speak to a mortgage adviser.

Is this calculator financial advice?

No. It gives estimates to help you understand the costs and potential returns. Fees, rents and prices change, so please speak to us and a qualified adviser before you decide.

Dubai Property Investment & ROI Calculator

Understand the whole investment: what it costs to buy, what you could earn from rent after costs, and what you might make when you sell.

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Before you start

4% Dubai Land Department transfer fee, usually paid by the buyer.
About 7% on top of the price for a ready home bought in cash, once trustee, title deed and a typical 2% agency fee plus VAT are added.
Gross and net yield are different: net yield takes off the running costs you enter and divides by everything you paid.

Fees used in the calculator updated November 2026. See every fee and where it comes from.

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Calculate your costs and returns

Start with the price, then move through the tabs. Every figure can be changed.

Worked example

AED 1,596,220all in, for a AED 1,500,000 ready home bought in cash

Dubai Land Department fee AED 60,000
Agency fee incl. VAT AED 31,500
Trustee and title deed AED 4,720

Fees from our settings (November 2026): official Dubai Land Department fees and a typical 2% agency fee. The calculator lets you change every figure.

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For illustration onlyWhat the figures include and leave out

This calculator gives estimates based on the figures you enter. It is not financial, tax or legal advice, and actual fees, rents, prices and mortgage terms will vary. Official fees are set by Dubai Land Department and the UAE Central Bank; other fees are typical market estimates. Running costs are only included when you enter them, and starting prices, rents and interest rates are examples. Please speak to us, your bank and a qualified adviser before making decisions.

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Step by step: your rent, the costs that apply to you, then your net operating income and yields. Or compare the rent before and after a renovation. Nothing is filled in for you.

Your property

Property type Community Bedrooms

Expected annual rentAED a yearThe rent you receive now, or expect to agree. Required for the results. Property value or purchase price (optional)AEDNeeded to show yields. Leave blank to see income only.

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More about the figures.

Every fee the calculator uses, with its source type and date, and how the results are worked out.

Fees used in the calculatorUpdated November 2026

Fee	Used
Dubai Land Department transfer feeOfficial	4%
Title deed feeOfficial	AED 520
Registration trustee feeOfficial	AED 2,000 / 4,000 + VAT
Mortgage registration feeOfficial	0.25%
Mortgage registration admin feeOfficial	AED 290
Agency fee (buying a ready home)Typical market estimate	2%
Agency fee (buying off-plan)Varies: not included unless you enter it	Depends on the transaction and agreement
Bank valuation feeTypical market estimate	AED 3,000
Developer NOC fee (paid by the seller)Varies: not included unless you enter it	About AED 500 to 5,000 + VAT, set by the developer; paid by the seller
Off-plan admin fees (Oqood and developer)Varies: not included unless you enter it	Varies by project
Agency fee (selling)Typical market estimate	2%
Mortgage early settlement feeOfficial	1%

Official fees are set by Dubai Land Department or the UAE Central Bank. Typical estimates are common market rates that vary from deal to deal. Updated November 2026.

How the costs and returns workBuying costs, rental returns, selling and total return

What it costs to buy property in Dubai

The price is only part of the cost. When you buy a ready home in Dubai you also pay the Dubai Land Department transfer fee, registration fees and usually an agency fee. With a mortgage there are bank and registration fees too. Off-plan homes are bought directly from a developer, usually on a payment plan.

The fees table shows the fees the calculator uses. Official fees are set by Dubai Land Department or the UAE Central Bank. Typical estimates are common market rates that vary from deal to deal.

How rental returns work

Gross yield is the yearly rent divided by the price. It is the headline figure you see in adverts. Net yield is more useful: it takes off service charges, management, maintenance and insurance, and allows for weeks without a tenant. With a mortgage, cash flow and cash-on-cash return show what you earn on the money you actually put in.

Selling and total return

When you sell, you pay an agency fee, a developer NOC fee for most homes (it varies by developer, so enter yours under Fees and assumptions) and, if you have a mortgage, an early settlement fee of up to 1% of the balance. The Selling tab shows your net proceeds and your gain after buying and selling costs (and mortgage interest, if you borrowed). It does not include running costs while you own the home, or tax.

Questions about Dubai property costs and returns6 answers

How much are buying costs in Dubai on top of the price?: For a ready home bought in cash, expect around 7% on top of the price once you add the 4% Dubai Land Department fee, the trustee and title deed fees, and a typical 2% agency fee plus VAT. A mortgage adds registration, valuation and bank fees. Use the Buying costs tab for your own figures.
What is the Dubai Land Department fee?: It is 4% of the purchase price, paid when ownership is registered. By law it is split between buyer and seller, but in practice the buyer usually pays it in full.
What is a good rental yield in Dubai?: It depends on the area, the type of home and your costs. Our area guides show published average prices and rents for each community, with their source and date, so you can work out a gross yield and then test your own costs here.
What is the difference between gross and net yield?: Gross yield is the annual rent divided by the price. Net yield takes off running costs such as service charges, management, maintenance, insurance and time between tenants, and divides by everything you paid, including fees. It is before mortgage costs and tax, and it only includes the costs you enter.
Can I get a mortgage in Dubai as a foreigner?: Yes. UAE banks lend to residents and non-residents. Under UAE Central Bank rules, expats need a deposit of at least 20% on a first home under AED 5 million, and more above that. Rates and terms vary by bank, so speak to a mortgage adviser.
Is this calculator financial advice?: No. It gives estimates to help you understand the costs and potential returns. Fees, rents and prices change, so please speak to us and a qualified adviser before you decide.

Where to go nextThe mortgage calculator, homes for sale, off-plan, area guides and more

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