Selling property in Dubai: Complete guide

Thinking of selling a property in Dubai? You might have an investment property there and it’s the perfect time to sell, or perhaps it’s an underused holiday home. You might even live in Dubai and be selling up ready to move back to the UK

Whatever your plans, this guide is for you. We’ve put together all the essential info you need on selling property in Dubai as a UK national. This includes fees, taxes, timescales and the steps involved, along with whether you need a solicitor.

We’ll also cover transfer methods, such as using a Wise account from the money services provider Wise as a way to securely, quickly and cost-effectively send and convert large sums between countries. It’s not a bank account but offers some similar features, and your money is safeguarded. Plus, you’ll receive dedicated support and volume discounts when sending large amounts

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Table of contents

How to sell property in Dubai as a foreigner - a step-by-step guide Is now a good time to sell your property in Dubai? How long does it take to sell property in Dubai? Do you need a lawyer or a solicitor to sell property? Do you need a Dubai bank account to sell property in Dubai? Taxes and costs of selling property in Dubai as a non-resident Real estate agent fees NOC fees DLD fees Transfer of ownership fee Mortgage release fee Legal fees Capital gains tax Does owning property in Dubai make you a tax resident?

How to sell property in Dubai as a foreigner - a step-by-step guide

If it’s your first time selling a property in Dubai, you may be unfamiliar with how the process works.

If you’ve bought a property in Dubai before, you’ll have some understanding of it - but it can be different from the seller’s perspective.

Let’s run through the main steps for foreigners selling property in Dubai, so you know exactly what to expect.

1. Get your documents together

Before you do anything else, you need to make sure you have the required paperwork to sell your property. Here’s what you should have ready:¹

• Your ID, such as a valid passport
• An Emirates ID if you’ve been living in the UAE
• The original Title Deed for the property
• A No Objection Certificate (NOC) certifying that there are no outstanding disputes, charges or dues on the property - this is a document obtained during the sales process
• A clearance certificate confirming no outstanding service charges or utility bills
• All documents relating to the mortgage, including the mortgage clearance certificate from the bank.

You might also need to prepare a floor plan for the property (your real estate agent can assist with this).

2. Find a real estate agent

The next step is to find a real estate agent to market and sell the property. It isn’t mandatory to use one, but it is advisable - especially if you’re selling a Dubai holiday home while still living in the UK, or if you’re unfamiliar with the local property market.

An agent will have the local knowledge and expertise to sell your property at a good price. They’ll also take care of viewings, photographs of the property, paperwork and communications with potential buyers. Crucially, they’ll also give you a valuation, which will help you set the purchase price.

To choose an estate agent, it’s a good idea to look for English-speaking agents with experience of working with UK sellers and expats. Ideally, get a personal recommendation from someone you know who has successfully sold a Dubai property.

Otherwise, you should look for an agent who has a RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Agency) license and is registered with the Dubai Land Department (DLD).²

3. Advertise the property

Now it’s time to put your property on the market and advertise it to potential buyers. You should look to spruce the place up, decluttering, cleaning windows and dressing each room carefully. Then, either you or your estate agent will need to take some photos to show off its best features.

Your estate agent will play a central role in advertising the property, but you can also list it on popular local property sites such as:

• Bayut
• Property Finder
• dubizzle
• Better Homes
• Rightmove (if you want to reach buyers from the UK).

4. Appoint a solicitor

It’s recommended to hire a solicitor to give you advice on your Dubai property sale, and to oversee the legal and administrative aspects of the sale.

A personal recommendation is a good way to find a solicitor, but you can also find a list of English-speaking property solicitors on the UK Government website.

5. Negotiate and accept an offer

Buyers can submit offers directly to you, but it could be easier if they go through your real estate agent. They can help you negotiate with buyers and agree on a final purchase price.

6. Agree terms and sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)³

Once an offer has been accepted, the next step is for buyer and seller (and their solicitors) to agree the terms of the sale. This includes timelines and dates for completion, how the purchase will be paid for and any other details relevant to the sale.

The real estate agent will draw up a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) via the Dubai Land Department website. Both parties will review the details and sign (this can be done digitally).

The buyer will also pay you a deposit, which is usually around 10%.

7. Apply for a No Objection Certificate (NOC)³

In order for the sale to progress, you’ll need to apply for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the developer of the project. This is a document confirming that there are no debts, disputes or other charges outstanding on the property. This can usually be done online, taking around a day or two - although it depends on the developer and their processes.

8. Register the property in the buyer’s name³

The final step is for buyer and seller (and their solicitors) to register the property under the buyer’s name at a Dubai Land Department (DLD) registration trustee’s office. Identities of both parties will be verified, documents checked and payments transferred, including the buyer issuing a check for the final payment of the purchase price to you.

The DLD office will complete the process of registering the property in the buyer’s name. Your mortgage can then be cleared, you’ll get a property mortgage release letter or clearance letter from the bank and the original title deed will be released to the new buyer.

If you’re living abroad when your property is sold, you’ll need to appoint an authorised designated person to deal with some of these steps and ensure the funds are collected on your behalf.

📚 Read more: Receiving money from abroad in the UK: a how-to guide

Is now a good time to sell your property in Dubai?

Your circumstances will have a lot to do with whether or not it’s the right time to sell your property in Dubai. For example, how much you originally paid for the property along with how much prices have risen (or fallen) in the region.

But more generally across the emirate, it could be a good time to sell. The real estate market in Dubai is looking pretty healthy, and property prices have been gradually increasing month-by-month in 2025. Villas are particularly in demand, with the average price up by 29% compared to the previous year.⁴

So if you bought at the right price, now could be an advantageous time to sell up.

The time of year can also influence whether or not it’s time to sell, as peak real estate season in Dubai is between January and March. This is when the emirate sees an influx of tourists and expats due to the cooler weather, and global buyers also visit Dubai for international events.⁵

How long does it take to sell property in Dubai?

On average, properties in Dubai tend to sell within around 40 to 60 days.⁶

But the time it takes to sell a property can vary based on a few factors, some of which will be out of your control. For example, the buyer may take longer than expected carrying out due diligence checks, or there may be an extra legal or other complication which takes time to resolve.

It may also depend on the asking price and how fast properties are selling in the local market.

Do you need a lawyer or a solicitor to sell property?

It’s strongly recommended to appoint a solicitor specialising in real estate or conveyancing work in Dubai. They can draw up and translate documents, check over conditions of contracts, give you advice about the selling process and so much more.

This could make your property sale go more smoothly and crucially, help you avoid a costly mistake.

Do you need a Dubai bank account to sell property in Dubai?

New rules introduced by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) in 2025 stipulate that non-residents do need to have a Dubai bank account (or a UAE bank account) in order to sell property in the emirate.⁷

If you’re not living in the emirate, you’ll need to get in touch with banks in Dubai to find out what the requirements are and if you’re eligible for an account.

This means you may not be able to use an international account or your current account with a UK bank.

Another thing to note is that international transfers could get expensive, especially if the provider adds a margin to the exchange rate to convert your UAE dirhams to British pounds. Consider checking out Wise to handle your international large transfers with mid-market exchange rates and low, transparent fees*.

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Taxes and costs of selling property in Dubai as a non-resident

Now we come to the crucial question - how much will it cost you to sell property in Dubai? Let’s take a quick look at the main fees and taxes involved:¹

Tax/fee name	Rate/fee
Real estate agent fees	Around 2% of the sale price
NOC fees	500 to 5,000 AED
DLD fees	4%, split between buyer and seller
Transfer of ownership fee	- 2,100 AED for sale price under 500,000 AED - 4,200 AED for sale price above 500,000 AED
Mortgage release fee	1,000 AED
Legal fees	Varies
Capital gains tax	None

Real estate agent fees

Known as commission, the fee paid to your real estate agent will usually be around 4%. VAT may be added unless otherwise agreed.

NOC fees

The fee to apply for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) varies by developer, but is usually between 500 and 5,000 AED plus VAT.

DLD fees

The fees paid to the Dubai Land Department (DLD) amount to 4% of the sale price, but are split between buyer and seller.

Transfer of ownership fee

To transfer ownership of the property, you’ll need to pay an additional fee which varies based on the sale price:

• For properties sold for less than 500,000 AED, the transfer fee is 2,100 AED
• For properties sold for more than 500,000 AED, the transfer fee is 4,200 AED.

Mortgage release fee

If you’re selling a mortgaged property, you’ll need to pay a mortgage release fee of 1,000 AED.

Legal fees

If you’re using a solicitor to assist with your transaction, you’ll need to factor their fees into your budget. These may vary depending on the solicitor, level of service provided and what you’ve agreed.

Capital gains tax

Dubai charges no capital gains tax on property transactions, so this is one less cost to worry about.

However, you may face capital gains taxes back in the UK. If you’re a UK resident and sell a Dubai holiday home, for example, you’ll need to pay the tax in the UK.

Tax can be complex, so it’s best to get advice from a tax specialist before proceeding.

Does owning property in Dubai make you a tax resident?

For anyone considering moving to Dubai (or staying there if you’re a temporary resident), it’s useful to know about tax residency and how it relates to property ownership.

Owning a property doesn’t automatically make you a tax resident in Dubai. But how much time you spend living in the property does.

Dubai has something called the 183-day rule to determine tax residency status. You’re considered a tax resident for the year if you spend 183 days or more in Dubai within that year, or if you’re a permanent resident in your Dubai home.

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Sources used:

1. Better Homes - Key Documents Needed for Buying and Selling a Property in Dubai
2. Finanshels - Real Estate Agent License in Dubai: Complete Guide for 2025
3. Audleys International - The process to sell your property in Dubai from abroad
4. Consultancy-me.com - Property prices in Dubai continue upward trend in 2025
5. Banke - Best Time of Year to Sell Property in Dubai in 2025
6. PHOREE - How Long Does It Typically Take to Sell a Property in Dubai?
7. Luxe Incorporations - Non-Residents: New Rule for Selling Dubai Property

Sources last checked on date: 07-Aug-2025