Ryan Mahoney (Dubai, UAE): An Expat’s Guide to Buying Real Estate in Dubai

CenCorp owner and CEO Ryan Mahoney (Dubai, UAE) is a member of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy’s advisory council. Having resided in Dubai since 1982, Ryan Mahoney is a serial entrepreneur with extensive experience and expertise of the Dubai real estate market. This article will provides points for expats to consider when purchasing property in Dubai.

From an investor’s perspective, Dubai is a prime location that has seen a surge in interest in recent years. Since the Dubai Government implemented reforms enabling foreign investors to purchase apartments and houses, expats have flocked to the city. With a massive potential return on investments, buying property in Dubai presents multiple benefits for expats.

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With hundreds of properties available, including apartments, condominiums, single-story family homes, and villas, the wide range of different real estate types available on the Dubai market eliminates the need for families and individuals to settle for properties that fail to live up to their personal preferences or budget requirements.

Increasingly attracting the attention of overseas investors seeking out high-income properties with a higher rate of return, properties located in premium locations like Jumeirah Lake Towers and Dubai Marina are popular choices for expat investors.

Individuals of all nationalities are allowed to purchase freehold property in Dubai, with no special permits or other documentation required to buy property in the city. They do not need to have residency status within the country or UAE citizenship.

Expats and foreign investors are free to purchase real estate in the UAE in any area authorized for property transactions by the country’s governing bodies. This applies to most well-known residential areas, although it is always prudent to make enquiries with trusted legal representatives or real estate agents. All property transactions in the city are managed by the Dubai Land Department.

Whether purchasing as an individual or corporate entity, foreign buyers are required to produce a variety of different documents. For individual buyers, these include:

Legal ID
Buyer’s passport
Contact details
Proof of address

Meanwhile corporate buyers are required to produce:

Original Trade License or Certificate of Incorporation
Original Memorandum and Article of Association, plus a legal translation if applicable
Original Certificate of Incumbency not more than three months old
Original resolution approving the purchase
Copies of all shareholders’ passports
Original Power of Attorney, if applicable
The attorney’s original passport, if applicable

These documentation requirements are subject to change. It is therefore prudent for foreign and expat buyers to check up-to-date documentation requirements with the Dubai Land Department well in advance of the completion date for property transactions.