Dubai Off-Plan Fees & Costs (2026)

Dubai Off-Plan Fees & Costs (2026) — Complete Breakdown

offplans.ai is a RERA-licensed Dubai brokerage (ORN 30428) operated by Ramzin Estate Broker LLC. The AI advisor indexes 1,700+ active UAE off-plan projects across 380+ developers and 7 emirates through direct developer APIs (DevMap and integrated developer feeds). Indicative.

Every fee, line by line

Here is the complete cost stack for buying off-plan in Dubai in 2026. We have broken it into mandatory government fees, optional financing costs, and post-handover holding costs.

Mandatory government fees

Fee	Rate	When paid
DLD transfer fee	4% of property value	Handover
Oqood registration	AED 4,000	Within 30 days of SPA
DLD admin / knowledge fees	AED 500–1,000	With Oqood or transfer
Trustee fee (if applicable)	AED 2,000–4,000	Handover

Financing costs (if using a mortgage)

Fee	Rate	When paid
Mortgage registration (DLD)	0.25% of loan value	Mortgage registration
Bank arrangement fee	0.5–1% of loan value	At disbursement
Property valuation	AED 2,500–3,500	Pre-approval
Life insurance (mandatory)	~0.5% of loan value / year	Annual

Post-handover holding costs

Cost	Typical range	Frequency
Service charges	AED 10–25 / sqft / year	Quarterly
Agency leasing fee	5% of annual rent	Per lease
Maintenance reserve	1–2% of property value	Annual
Utility connection	AED 2,000–5,000	One-time

Worked example: AED 2,000,000 off-plan apartment

Item	AED
Property price	2,000,000
DLD 4% transfer fee	80,000
Oqood + admin	5,000
Trustee fee	3,000
Subtotal (no mortgage)	2,088,000
Mortgage (75% LTV = AED 1.5M)	—
Mortgage registration (0.25%)	3,750
Bank arrangement (0.75%)	11,250
Valuation	3,000
Subtotal (with mortgage)	2,106,000

Developer assignment fees (if you sell before handover)

Selling your off-plan contract before handover is called an Oqood assignment. Most developers charge an assignment fee. These are not negotiable and vary by developer:

Emaar: 1–2% of property value
Damac: 2–4% of property value
Sobha: 2–3% of property value
Nakheel: 2–3% of property value
Aldar: 1–2% of property value
Binghatti: 2–3% of property value
Danube: 2% of property value

Tax summary

Dubai has no property tax, no capital gains tax, and no rental income tax for individuals. The only taxes/levees are: 4% DLD transfer fee, 5% VAT on commercial property only, and the fees listed above. This is one of the most tax-efficient property markets in the world.

Frequently asked questions

What is the DLD 4% fee?

The Dubai Land Department charges a 4% transfer fee on every property transaction — off-plan and ready. It is calculated on the full property value (not just the paid portion). For off-plan, it is typically due at handover. For ready, it is paid at the trustee office on transfer day.

Do I pay agency commission on off-plan?

No. When you buy off-plan through a brokerage, the developer pays the commission — not you. You pay the same official launch price whether you buy direct or through a licensed broker. On ready secondary property, the buyer typically pays 2% agency commission.

What is Oqood and how much does it cost?

Oqood is the DLD's off-plan property registration certificate. It confirms your ownership rights during construction. The fee is AED 4,000 for the primary Oqood plus AED 500–1,000 in admin and knowledge fees. At handover, the Oqood is converted to a full Title Deed.

Are there hidden costs in off-plan?

Most costs are predictable, but buyers sometimes overlook: (1) developer assignment fees if you sell before handover (1–4%), (2) mortgage registration and bank fees (~0.75–1.25% of loan value), (3) service charges from handover (AED 10–25 / sqft / year), (4) snagging and minor fit-out costs after handover (AED 10,000–50,000), and (5) utility connection deposits.

Do I pay VAT on off-plan property?

No. Residential property in Dubai is exempt from the 5% VAT. Commercial property attracts 5% VAT. Off-plan residential purchases are VAT-free. The 4% DLD fee and Oqood registration are separate government levies, not VAT.

Can I roll fees into my mortgage?

Some UAE banks allow you to finance the DLD 4% fee and registration costs into the mortgage, increasing your loan-to-value slightly above the standard 75–80% cap. Others require these costs to be paid in cash. Ask your mortgage advisor before reserving — offplans.ai can introduce you to lenders at Mashreq, Emirates NBD, ADCB and HSBC.