The headline price is never the real price. Buyers who budget only for the purchase price get an unpleasant surprise at the trustee office - and the agent who walks them through the full numbers up front becomes the most trusted person in the transaction.
The fees every Dubai buyer pays
DLD transfer fee - 4%
The Dubai Land Department charges 4% of the purchase price on transfer. On a AED 2,000,000 apartment, that is AED 80,000 - by far the largest single fee. It is typically paid by the buyer, although in some off-plan promotions developers absorb it.
Agent commission - 2% + VAT
The standard brokerage commission is 2% of the purchase price, plus 5% VAT on the commission itself. On AED 2,000,000: AED 40,000 + AED 2,000 VAT.
Trustee office fee
Transfers are executed at a registration trustee office: AED 2,000 for properties under AED 500,000 and AED 4,000 above it, plus VAT.
Title deed and admin fees
Title deed issuance and related admin charges add several hundred dirhams, and an NOC from the developer typically runs AED 500-5,000 depending on the community.
If the buyer is taking a mortgage
- Down payment - UAE residents financing a first property can typically borrow up to 80% (so 20% down); subsequent properties and non-resident buyers face lower caps.
- Mortgage registration - 0.25% of the loan amount plus a flat fee, paid to DLD.
- Bank processing and property assessment fees - vary by lender, commonly a few thousand dirhams.
The Golden Visa threshold
Property purchases of AED 2,000,000 or more can qualify the buyer for a 10-year Golden Visa. If your buyer is shopping at AED 1.8M-1.9M, showing them what an extra AED 100K-200K unlocks can completely change the conversation. Eligibility should always be confirmed through official immigration channels.
Put it in one page
A buyer comparing a AED 2M cash purchase against a mortgage purchase is looking at two very different cash-at-signing numbers. Agents using Klozer generate a branded cost-to-close report - every fee itemised, Golden Visa eligibility flagged - in under a minute, before the buyer even asks.
All figures indicative and subject to change - verify current fees with DLD and your lender.