UAE property transfer fee calculator: DLD and registration costs in 2026
- The DLD transfer fee is 4% of the property price and is paid at completion, making it the largest single upfront cost in any Dubai property purchase.
- Mortgage buyers also pay a registration fee of 0.25% of the loan amount plus AED 290, charged by the Dubai Land Department to register the security over the property.
- Total transaction costs including DLD, agency, mortgage registration, valuation and processing typically run 7% to 9% of the property price.
The Dubai Land Department (DLD) charges a 4% transfer fee on the property price, paid at completion. Mortgage buyers add 0.25% of the loan for mortgage registration. Including agency, processing and valuation fees, total transaction costs typically reach 7% to 9% of the purchase price. On a AED 2M Dubai property with a AED 1.5M mortgage, that is roughly AED 147,000 to AED 175,000 in fees on top of the deposit.
TL;DR: the verdict
- DLD transfer fee: 4% of property price (Dubai). Paid at completion.
- Mortgage registration: 0.25% of loan + AED 290 (DLD charge).
- Agency fee: typically 2% of property price (negotiable).
- Bank processing fee: 0.5% to 1% of loan amount.
- Valuation: AED 2,500 to AED 3,500.
- Trustee / title deed: ~AED 4,000.
- Abu Dhabi charges a lower 2% registration fee instead of 4%.
What is the DLD transfer fee and who pays it?
The Dubai Land Department transfer fee is a government charge levied on every property title transfer in Dubai. The standard rate is 4% of the purchase price. By market convention, the buyer typically pays the full 4%, though in some transactions a 2% buyer / 2% seller split is negotiated. In practice, you should budget for the full 4% as a buyer.
The fee is paid at the DLD office (or via trustee centre) at the point of title transfer. It must be settled before the DLD will issue the new title deed in the buyer’s name. No transfer completes without it.
For a AED 2M property, the DLD transfer fee is AED 80,000. For a AED 3M property it is AED 120,000. There is no cap or sliding scale: 4% of whatever the registered price is.
Mortgage registration fee
If you are buying with a mortgage, the DLD charges an additional fee to register the bank’s security interest over the property. This fee is separate from the transfer fee and is calculated on the loan amount, not the property price.
The mortgage registration fee in Dubai is 0.25% of the loan amount plus AED 290.
| Loan amount | 0.25% of loan | Fixed charge | Total mortgage registration fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| AED 750,000 | AED 1,875 | AED 290 | AED 2,165 |
| AED 1,000,000 | AED 2,500 | AED 290 | AED 2,790 |
| AED 1,500,000 | AED 3,750 | AED 290 | AED 4,040 |
| AED 2,000,000 | AED 5,000 | AED 290 | AED 5,290 |
| AED 3,000,000 | AED 7,500 | AED 290 | AED 7,790 |
All transaction costs: a full breakdown
Here is every cost a mortgage buyer in Dubai should budget for, in the order you are typically asked to pay it:
| Cost | How it is calculated | When paid | On AED 2M property, AED 1.5M loan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property valuation | Fixed fee | At application | AED 2,500 to AED 3,500 |
| Bank processing fee | 0.5% to 1% of loan | At drawdown | AED 7,500 to AED 15,000 |
| DLD transfer fee | 4% of property price | At completion | AED 80,000 |
| Agency fee | 2% of property price | At completion | AED 40,000 |
| Mortgage registration fee | 0.25% of loan + AED 290 | At completion | AED 4,040 |
| Trustee / title deed fee | Fixed fee | At completion | ~AED 4,000 |
| Total fees (excluding deposit) | AED 138,040 to AED 146,540 |
Source: DLD fee schedule, standard agency commission rate. Bank processing fees vary by lender. The DLD transfer fee and mortgage registration fees are set rates; all others may vary.
Total fees by property price
The table below calculates the total transaction fees (excluding deposit) for an expat buyer using a mortgage at 75% LTV. Mid-range processing fee of 0.75% used.
| Property price | Mortgage (75% LTV) | DLD fee (4%) | Agency (2%) | Mortgage reg. | Other fees | Total fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AED 1,000,000 | AED 750,000 | AED 40,000 | AED 20,000 | AED 2,165 | ~AED 12,125 | ~AED 74,290 |
| AED 1,500,000 | AED 1,125,000 | AED 60,000 | AED 30,000 | AED 3,125 | ~AED 15,938 | ~AED 109,063 |
| AED 2,000,000 | AED 1,500,000 | AED 80,000 | AED 40,000 | AED 4,040 | ~AED 18,250 | ~AED 142,290 |
| AED 3,000,000 | AED 2,250,000 | AED 120,000 | AED 60,000 | AED 5,915 | ~AED 24,875 | ~AED 210,790 |
"Other fees" includes bank processing at 0.75%, valuation at AED 3,000 and trustee at AED 4,000. Actual figures may vary by lender and transaction specifics.
Abu Dhabi vs Dubai: how the fees differ
Dubai has the higher transfer fee at 4%. Abu Dhabi charges a 2% registration fee on the property price instead. For the same AED 2M property, the difference is AED 40,000 in transfer / registration fees alone. Both emirates charge mortgage registration and similar ancillary fees.
Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and other emirates have their own fee structures, though most follow a broadly similar pattern with registration fees and processing charges. If you are buying outside Dubai, verify the local fee rates with your conveyancer or the relevant land department.
Ongoing costs after completion
Transaction fees are paid upfront, but there are also annual costs to plan for once you own the property:
- Life insurance. UAE banks require life cover on the mortgage. Cost is roughly 0.4% of the outstanding loan per year, reducing as the balance falls.
- Property insurance. Also typically mandatory. Costs AED 1,500 to AED 2,500 per year for a standard apartment or villa.
- Service charges. Paid to the building or community management for maintenance of common areas. Rates vary significantly by development and are set by RERA for Dubai properties.
- Utility connection. DEWA connection in Dubai costs AED 2,000 to AED 4,000 for a new property depending on the service type.
“Nobody told me about the 4% DLD fee until after I signed the MOU”
This is one of the most common buyer surprises in Dubai real estate. The 4% DLD fee is not always front-of-mind when agents are talking about deposit percentages and monthly payments. But at AED 80,000 on a AED 2M property, it is a large cash item that has to be ready on the day of transfer. Combine that with the agency fee, mortgage registration, processing and valuation, and you need substantially more than just the 20% deposit on the day.
The way to avoid the surprise is to calculate both figures before you make any offer: the deposit as a percentage of the price, and the fees as a separate cash estimate. Our mortgage calculator shows both together. The deposit calculator article breaks down how these combine for your specific property price and nationality.
Bottom line
The DLD transfer fee of 4% is the biggest single fee cost in a Dubai property purchase, but it is not the only one. Adding mortgage registration (0.25% of loan), agency (2%), processing (0.5%-1%), valuation and trustee fees brings the total to 7% to 9% of the purchase price. Budget for this entire amount in cash before you exchange contracts. Use the live calculator to see the full cost breakdown for any property price.
Frequently asked questions
What is the DLD transfer fee in Dubai?
The Dubai Land Department (DLD) transfer fee is 4% of the property purchase price, paid at completion. It is the largest single transaction cost for buyers in Dubai. By convention the buyer pays the full 4%, though a 2%/2% split can sometimes be negotiated. On a AED 2M property, the total DLD fee is AED 80,000.
Is there stamp duty in the UAE?
The UAE does not have stamp duty in the traditional sense. However, the DLD transfer fee (4% of property price in Dubai) performs a similar function as a government levy on ownership transfer. Abu Dhabi charges a 2% registration fee instead. There is no annual property tax in the UAE.
What is the mortgage registration fee in the UAE?
The mortgage registration fee in Dubai is 0.25% of the loan amount plus AED 290. On a AED 1.5M mortgage, that is AED 3,750 plus AED 290, totalling AED 4,040. This fee registers the bank’s security interest over the property and applies only to mortgage buyers.
What are the total transaction costs when buying a property in the UAE?
Total UAE property transaction costs include DLD transfer fee (4% of price in Dubai), agency fee (typically 2%), mortgage registration (0.25% of loan plus AED 290), bank processing fee (0.5% to 1% of loan), property valuation (AED 2,500 to AED 3,500), and trustee or title deed fee (around AED 4,000). Combined, these run 7% to 9% of the property price for mortgage buyers.
Are there any exemptions from the DLD transfer fee?
There are no standard exemptions from the DLD transfer fee for regular buyers. Certain government-related transactions and transfers between first-degree relatives may qualify for reduced fees, assessed case by case by the DLD. First-time buyers in Dubai do not receive a discount on the 4% transfer fee.
How does Abu Dhabi differ from Dubai for property transfer fees?
Abu Dhabi charges a property registration fee of 2% of the purchase price, compared to Dubai’s 4% DLD transfer fee. On a AED 2M property, that is a saving of AED 40,000. Both emirates charge mortgage registration and similar ancillary fees on top.
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