Real estate: UAE legislation

ICP Service: Entry Permit Issuance for Real Estate Investor Residency (AED 2 million property Golden Visa route)

ICP service card for the entry permit that starts the property-investor Golden residence: the property must be fully owned by the investor and worth at least AED 2,000,000 confirmed by the land registration department, with valid UAE health insurance and a passport valid six months; fees AED 300 in total and a two-day processing time, leading to a ten-year residence.

DIFC Real Property Regulations (Consolidated Version No. 4, in force 10 April 2026)

Made under Article 175 of the Real Property Law 2018, the Regulations set the freehold transfer fee on transfers of real property interests and of indirect interests (shares in property-holding entities), mortgage registration fees, other prescribed fees and penalties, and the Registrar's assessment, inspection and enforcement powers.

DIFC Leasing Regulations 2023 (Consolidated Version, in force 22 February 2023)

Made under Article 9 of the Leasing Law 2020, the Regulations explain how the Law applies to leases entered into before it commenced, when the security-deposit provisions (Articles 24 to 29) attach to pre-existing residential leases, and the penalties for offences under the Law and Regulations.

Leasing Law, DIFC Law No. 1 of 2020

Governs leases of commercial, retail and residential premises within the DIFC: lease registration, landlord and tenant rights and obligations, security deposits held under a Registrar scheme, termination and the DIFC Courts' jurisdiction over lease disputes, displacing Dubai RERA rules inside the Centre.

Real Property Law, DIFC Law No. 10 of 2018

Establishes the DIFC's own land registry and title system: registration of freehold and leasehold interests, mortgages, easements and off-plan sales within the Centre, the Registrar of Real Property's powers and the transfer and registration fee regime detailed in the Real Property Regulations.

Law No. (3) of 2015 Concerning the Regulation of the Real Estate Sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi real estate sector law of 10 June 2015, effective six months after Gazette publication: developers must be entered in the Real Estate Development Register, off-plan sales need a project escrow account and Department approval, and off-plan transfers are recorded in official registers; the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre lists it as amended by Law No. 2 of 2025.

Law No. (6) of 2019 Concerning Ownership of Jointly Owned Real Property in the Emirate of Dubai

Governs ownership, management and maintenance of jointly owned buildings and plots: common areas and units, owners committees, service and usage charges, title documents, insurance and disputes before the Rental Disputes Settlement Centre; replaces Law No. 27 of 2007 and takes effect 60 days after Gazette publication.

Decree No. 43 of 2013 On Determining the Increase in the Real-Estate Rentals in the Emirate of Dubai

Caps rent increases on renewal by reference to the average market rent: no increase where the rent is up to 10% below market, rising through bands of 5%, 10% and 15% to a maximum 20% where the rent is more than 40% below market; effective on its issue date of 18 December 2013.

Executive Council Resolution No. (6) of 2010 Approving the Implementing Bylaw of Law No. (13) of 2008 Regulating the Interim Real Property Register in the Emirate of Dubai

Implementing bylaw of the interim register law: off-plan sales made before project approval and Land Department registration are void, and a developer may terminate a defaulting purchaser's contract after 30 days' notice and retain a percentage of payments depending on project completion; in force on issue.

Law No. (13) of 2008 Regulating the Interim Property Register in the Emirate of Dubai

Requires off-plan sales and other dispositions of real property to be recorded in an Interim Property Register before transfer to the main Register, voids unregistered transactions, and obliges developers to hold the land and obtain approvals before selling off-plan and to register completed units in purchasers' names; in force on Gazette publication.

Law No. (33) of 2008 Amending Law No. (26) of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai

Replaces Articles 2, 3, 4, 9, 13, 14, 15, 25, 26, 29 and 36 of the tenancy law: twelve months' notice through a notary public or registered mail for end-of-lease evictions, 90 days' notice to change renewal terms including rent, and tribunal power to set fair rent by reference to RERA criteria; in force on Gazette publication.

Law No. (26) of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai

Framework for leasing property in Dubai: contract requirements and RERA registration, rent increase limits, grounds and notice for eviction, duties of landlords and tenants, subletting and the dispute tribunal; takes effect 60 days after Gazette publication and is amended by Law No. 33 of 2008.

Law No. (8) of 2007 Concerning Escrow Accounts for Real Estate Development in the Emirate of Dubai

Requires developers selling off-plan units to be registered and licensed and to deposit buyers' payments in a separate escrow account per project managed by an accredited agent, with a 5% retention after completion, depositor protection if a project stalls and penalties for breach; in force on Gazette publication.

Law No. (7) of 2006 Concerning Real Property Registration in the Emirate of Dubai

Makes the Land Department the sole registrar of real property rights in Dubai and gives the Property Register conclusive effect absent fraud; Article 4 limits ownership to UAE and GCC nationals and their companies, while non-UAE nationals may hold freehold or up to 99-year leasehold rights in areas designated by the Ruler.

Regulation No. (3) of 2006 Determining Areas for Ownership by Non-UAE Nationals of Real Property in the Emirate of Dubai

Designates, by plot number across 23 Dubai areas shown on Land Department maps, where non-UAE nationals may hold freehold ownership without time limit or usufruct and leasehold rights up to 99 years, with one Nad Al Sheba plot limited to usufruct or leasehold; in force on Gazette publication.