What you pay on top of the listed price when you buy in Dubai: the registration fee on new and resale units, fixed charges, and the costs outside registration, with examples by price band.
Quick answer
The price on the listing is not the amount you pay. On top of it come a registration fee to the Dubai Land Department, a handful of fixed charges, the trustee office fee on a resale, and the running costs of owning the unit. For a new off-plan purchase the registration fee is 4% of the price, so an AED 1,400,000 unit, the median starting price in the Golden Hills catalogue, carries about AED 56,000 (around 4.0 billion toman) of registration alone.
Last updated: 13 November 2026. Property figures come from the Golden Hills catalogue on that date. The toman figures use 71,944 toman per dirham (rate of 10 November 2026) and are an approximate conversion only.
What you pay when you buy
There are two situations, and they are priced differently.
| New off-plan purchase | Resale of a completed unit | |
|---|---|---|
| Registration fee | 4% of the price, paid through the Oqood system | 4% of the price, normally paid by the buyer unless the contract agrees otherwise |
| Fixed charges | Small service fees | Title deed AED 250, map AED 250 for an apartment or villa, plus AED 10 knowledge and AED 10 innovation fees |
| Trustee office | Not applicable to the first sale | AED 4,000 plus VAT at AED 500,000 or more, AED 2,000 plus VAT below that |
| Developer NOC | Not needed | Required in freehold areas |
On a AED 1,500,000 resale the buyer normally pays AED 60,000 of registration, the trustee office is AED 4,000 plus AED 200 VAT, and the fixed charges are AED 520. That is AED 64,720 (about 4.7 billion toman), or roughly 4.3% of the price. If the contract gives part of the registration fee to the seller, the figure falls by that part, so read who pays what before you sign.
Under AED 1 million
Of the 1,209 priced projects in the catalogue, 446 start at AED 1,000,000 or less, and the median starting price among them is AED 699,950. On a new project the 4% registration fee at that price is about AED 28,000 (around 2.0 billion toman). Q Gardens Aliya in Jumeirah Village Circle starts at AED 472,000, so its registration fee is AED 18,880. Ellington Hillmont Residences starts at AED 547,000 and carries AED 21,880. At these prices the fee is a larger share of your cash than buyers expect, so add it before you compare projects. See the Jumeirah Village Circle page.
AED 1 million to AED 2 million
406 projects start in this band. At AED 1,500,000 the registration fee is AED 60,000 (about 4.3 billion toman), whether the unit is new or a resale. A resale adds the trustee office and the fixed charges, AED 4,720 in total, so the full buyer cost on a resale is AED 64,720. The comparison only holds if both units are truly the same, so check handover dates and layouts.
Above AED 2 million
357 projects start above AED 2,000,000. Lillia in The Valley starts at AED 2,050,000, which means AED 82,000 of registration (about 5.9 billion toman). CDS Wave in Dubai Islands starts at AED 2,000,000 and carries AED 80,000 (about 5.8 billion toman). Fixed charges barely change at this level, so the percentage fee dominates. See the The Valley page and the Dubai Islands page.
Costs outside the registration
These are not fixed by one tariff, so ask for them in writing:
- Agency fee, which is agreed between you and the agent.
- Mortgage costs if you borrow: valuation, processing and insurance.
- Service charge, which differs from building to building and starts when the unit is handed over.
- Furnishing, utilities connection and an inspection before you accept the keys.
- A cash reserve for the first months of ownership.
Build the full figure
- Start with the price, then add the 4% registration fee, plus the trustee office and fixed charges on a resale.
- Add the agency fee and any mortgage costs you expect.
- Check the service charge of the building before you decide.
- Keep a reserve, then compare projects on the total.
Foire aux questions
How much is the registration fee on a new off-plan unit in Dubai?
It is 4% of the price, paid through the Oqood system. On an AED 1,500,000 unit that is AED 60,000.
What does a resale cost the buyer?
The buyer normally pays the 4% registration fee, plus a title deed fee, a map fee, small knowledge and innovation fees and the trustee office fee. On AED 1,500,000 that comes to about AED 64,720.
Who pays the registration fee?
The buyer normally pays all 4%, unless the contract agrees otherwise. Read the contract before you sign.
Which costs are not covered by the registration fee?
Agency fee, mortgage costs, service charge, furnishing, utility connection and a cash reserve are separate and should be requested in writing.
Is the starting price the price I pay?
No. It is the lowest listed price for the smallest layout, and registration and the other costs are added on top.
Dernière vérification: 13 November 2026 · Examen prévu: —
