Published 13 June 2026 · Updated 13 June 2026

DLD fee calculator Dubai 2026: transfer fees and mortgage charges explained

By Fatima Al Rashid, Senior Mortgage Analyst · 7 min read

DLD fees catch many first-time buyers off guard. Unlike stamp duty in other countries, where rates vary by property value or buyer status, Dubai keeps it simple: 4% of the purchase price, applied uniformly. This page breaks down every charge, shows you how to calculate the total, and includes a worked example you can adapt to your own numbers.

All DLD fees at a glance

There are 5 DLD-related fees to know when buying a property in Dubai with a mortgage. Here is what each one is:

The knowledge fee and innovation fee are token charges introduced to fund DLD digital initiatives. They are fixed and do not change with property value.

Worked example: AED 1.5M property, AED 1.2M mortgage

A buyer purchasing a AED 1.5M apartment in Dubai with a AED 1.2M mortgage (80% LTV) would pay the following DLD fees:

Quick calculator: estimate your DLD fees

Use this formula to estimate your total DLD fees for any purchase:

For example, on a AED 2M property with a AED 1.6M mortgage:

• Transfer fee: AED 80,000
• Mortgage registration: AED 4,000
• Trustee fee: AED 4,200
• Admin and minor fees: AED 310
• Total: AED 88,510

DLD fees by property value: quick reference

Cash purchase totals include transfer fee, trustee fee, knowledge fee (AED 10) and innovation fee (AED 10). Add mortgage registration fees separately if financing.

What is the DLD transfer fee and who pays it

The 4% transfer fee is paid to the Dubai Land Department at the point the title deed transfers from seller to buyer. By convention in Dubai, the buyer pays the full 4%, though this is technically negotiable between parties. In practice, almost all standard transactions have the buyer covering it, and sellers price properties with this in mind.

The fee is based on the agreed sale price as shown in the sale and purchase agreement, not on the bank's valuation. If a bank values the property below the purchase price, your transfer fee is still calculated on the contractual price.

What is the mortgage registration fee

When you take a mortgage to buy a property in Dubai, the DLD registers the bank's charge over the property. For this, it charges 0.25% of the loan amount, plus a flat AED 290 administration fee. This is separate from your bank's own arrangement or processing fee, which is a different charge collected by the lender.

If you later refinance, a new mortgage registration fee applies on the new loan amount. If you sell or pay off the mortgage early, there is also a mortgage discharge fee to remove the bank's charge from the title deed. That fee is typically AED 1,290.

What is the trustee office fee

DLD does not handle every transfer directly. It authorises a network of property registration trustees to process the paperwork and transfer the title deed on its behalf. You book an appointment at a trustee office (there are dozens across Dubai), pay the fees, and the trustee processes the transfer with DLD. The trustee's own fee is AED 4,000 for a property above AED 500,000, plus 5% VAT, making the total AED 4,200. For cheaper properties the fee is AED 2,000 plus VAT, totalling AED 2,100.

Other costs on top of DLD fees

DLD fees are just one part of the upfront cost of buying in Dubai. The full picture includes:

• Bank arrangement fee: typically 0.5% to 1% of the loan amount, charged by the lender for processing the mortgage.
• Property valuation fee: AED 2,500 to AED 3,500, paid to the bank's approved valuer.
• Life insurance / property insurance: often required by the bank as a condition of the mortgage.
• Real estate agent commission: normally 2% of the purchase price, paid to the agent.
• Mortgage NOC fee: if the seller has a mortgage on the property, the bank charges a fee (typically AED 500 to AED 1,000) to issue a No Objection Certificate for the transfer.

For a full breakdown of all buying costs, including bank fees and insurance, use the UAE mortgage fees calculator.

Frequently asked questions

What is the DLD transfer fee in Dubai?

The Dubai Land Department charges a 4% fee on the purchase price at the time of title deed transfer. On a AED 1.5M property, the transfer fee is AED 60,000. By convention the buyer pays this, though it is technically negotiable.

What is the DLD mortgage registration fee?

The DLD charges 0.25% of the loan amount to register a mortgage, plus a flat AED 290 admin fee. On a AED 1.2M mortgage, the total registration charge is AED 3,290.

What are trustee office fees in Dubai?

Trustee offices process DLD title deed transfers. Their fee is AED 4,000 for properties above AED 500,000 (AED 2,000 for below), plus 5% VAT. For most Dubai properties, the total trustee fee is AED 4,200.

How much are total DLD fees on a AED 1.5M property with a AED 1.2M mortgage?

Transfer fee AED 60,000, trustee fee AED 4,200, mortgage registration AED 3,000, mortgage admin AED 290, knowledge and innovation fees AED 20. Total: approximately AED 67,510. Bank fees and agent commission are extra.

What to do next

For the full picture of all costs when buying with a mortgage in Dubai, use the UAE mortgage fees calculator. To model your monthly payment, visit the mortgage calculator. For background on the DLD and the title deed process, read the Dubai Land Department guide and the title deed guide.