Facts checked as of Oct 2026 against official sources (listed at the end). Fees and rules change: confirm with the authority before you pay or sign.
DLD fees for buying property in Dubai (table)
These are the official DLD fees for registering the sale of a completed property through a Real Estate Registration Trustee office:
| Fee | Amount (as of Oct 2026) |
|---|---|
| Sale registration (DLD) | 4% of the sale value, listed by DLD as 2% seller and 2% buyer; the legal default is equal sharing unless the parties agree otherwise |
| Title deed issuance | AED 250 |
| Map / plan fee | AED 250 for villas and apartments (AED 225 unified map under Dubai Municipality; AED 100 for land outside it) |
| Knowledge and innovation fees | AED 10 + AED 10 |
| Registration trustee (service partner) fee | AED 4,000 + VAT if the sale value is AED 500,000 or more; AED 2,000 + VAT if less |
| Mortgage registration (if you borrow) | 0.25% of the mortgage value, plus AED 250 title deed and AED 10 + AED 10 fees |
The 4% DLD transfer fee: who pays?
The DLD fee schedule (Executive Council Resolution No. 30 of 2013) sets the fee for registering a property sale contract at 4% of the contract value. The same resolution says that, unless agreed otherwise, the fee is shared equally between seller and buyer, and DLD’s service page lists it as 2% from each. In practice the sale agreement decides who pays, so read that clause before you sign. The 4% applies to off-plan initial sales registered in Oqood as well.
Worked example: DLD fees on an AED 1,500,000 apartment
Illustration only, using the official rates above for a completed apartment where the buyer pays the full 4%:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| DLD sale registration (4%) | AED 60,000 |
| Title deed | AED 250 |
| Map fee (apartment) | AED 250 |
| Knowledge + innovation | AED 20 |
| Trustee fee (AED 4,000 + 5% VAT) | AED 4,200 |
| Total | AED 64,720 |
If the 4% is split equally, the buyer’s share of the registration fee is AED 30,000 instead. Add 0.25% of the loan if you take a mortgage (for an AED 1,200,000 loan, AED 3,000 plus the title deed and drawing fees). Bank, valuation and agency fees are separate and not set by DLD.
Mortgage registration fee in Dubai
If you finance the purchase, DLD charges 0.25% of the mortgage (debt) value to register the mortgage, plus AED 250 for the title deed and AED 10 knowledge and AED 10 innovation fees. See our mortgage guide for expats.
Documents DLD asks for
- Emirates ID of seller and buyer (or a valid passport for non-resident foreigners)
- A no-objection e-certificate (e-NOC) from the developer in freehold areas, issued through the Dubai REST app
The full step-by-step is in the buying process guide.
For agents: turn fee questions into closed deals
If you are a Dubai real estate agent, buyers will ask you these questions on the first call. The RealtorOne app helps you answer with confidence and keep the deal moving: the DealFlow CRM keeps every buyer in the right stage, Dubai DealRadar shows live DLD-open transaction data you can share, and SkillUp courses and Live Labs sharpen your calls. Learn to explain costs simply in the closing guide.
DLD fees: frequently asked questions
How much is the DLD fee in Dubai?
4% of the sale value to register a property sale, plus fixed fees such as AED 250 for the title deed and the trustee fee (AED 4,000 + VAT for sales of AED 500,000 or more).
Does the buyer pay the 4% DLD fee?
The fee schedule says it is shared equally unless agreed otherwise. The sale agreement decides, so check it before signing.
What is the DLD mortgage registration fee?
0.25% of the mortgage value, plus the title deed and drawing fees.
Do off-plan buyers pay DLD fees?
Yes. Registering an off-plan initial sale in Oqood carries the same 4% (listed as 2% seller and 2% purchaser) plus AED 10 knowledge and AED 10 innovation fees.