A guide to buying the right real estate abroad.
Buying property in another country should feel like a considered investment, not a leap of faith. This guide answers the questions buyers ask most — clearly, with the numbers — across the six markets Regate Global operates in: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Cyprus, Spain, Malta and Saudi Arabia.
Written by Jürgen Paal
CEO Regate Global · Volksbank Austria Partner
The right purchase abroad comes down to three things: a vetted property, a transparent cost structure, and licensed people accountable for the paperwork.
Get those right and the location almost takes care of itself. Get them wrong — an unvetted listing, hidden fees, an anonymous broker — and even a great market becomes a bad deal. The sections below show how to check each one.
Can foreigners actually own property here?
In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, foreign nationals own freehold property outright in designated areas — no residency required. In Cyprus, Spain and Malta, EU and non-EU buyers can purchase, with some permits for non-EU buyers in specific cases.
Freehold ownership means the property is yours — to live in, rent out, sell or pass on. In the UAE, ownership is recorded with the Dubai Land Department and, for off-plan, payments are protected in a regulated escrow account until construction milestones are met. In the European markets, ownership runs through the national land registry, and a local lawyer reviews title before completion.
The detail that matters most is not whether you can own, but who verifies the title before you commit. That is the single biggest difference between a safe purchase and a risky one.
What does it actually cost — beyond the price?
In Dubai, budget roughly 7–8% on top of the purchase price for one-off costs. There is no annual property tax and no capital gains tax in the UAE. European markets carry higher transfer taxes but their own advantages.
The sticker price is never the whole price. Here is a realistic one-off cost stack for a Dubai purchase — the market most of our buyers start with:
| DLD transfer fee | 4% of price | Paid to Dubai Land Department at transfer |
| Property registration | AED 2,000–4,000 | Fixed admin fee by price band |
| Agency / platform fee | Often developer-paid | On off-plan, frequently covered by the developer |
| Mortgage arrangement | ~1% (if financing) | Only if you finance rather than pay cash |
| NOC & admin | AED 500–5,000 | Developer no-objection certificate, varies |
No annual property tax · No capital gains tax · No inheritance tax in the UAE
Should you buy off-plan or ready?
Off-plan usually means a lower entry price and staged payments, with a wait to handover and some construction risk. Ready property costs more upfront but generates rent immediately. The right choice depends on your timeline and cash flow — not on which is 'better'.
| Off-plan | Ready | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry price | Lower (often 10–40% below ready) | Higher, at market |
| Payment | Staged plan (e.g. 60/40, 1%/month) | Full amount at purchase |
| Income | Starts at handover | Immediate rental income |
| Main risk | Construction & delivery timing | Less upside on entry price |
| Best for | Capital growth, flexible cash flow | Immediate yield, certainty |
Both are legitimate strategies. The mistake is choosing off-plan purely for the low headline price without checking the developer's delivery record — which a licensed platform does for you before you commit.
Can a property purchase get you residency?
In the UAE, a property worth AED 2 million qualifies for a 10-year Golden Visa; from AED 750,000 you can qualify for a 2-year investor visa. Cyprus, Spain and Malta offer their own residency-by-investment routes with different thresholds.
| UAE Golden Visa | From AED 2,000,000 | 10-year renewable residency |
| UAE Investor Visa | From AED 750,000 | 2-year renewable residency |
| Cyprus / Spain / Malta | Varies by programme | EU-linked residency routes |
Thresholds are set by national authorities and can change — confirm current rules before relying on them.
Can you buy without flying out?
Yes. Most international buyers complete remotely. A licensed platform verifies title, manages contracts and handles registration on your behalf — you can sign digitally or via power of attorney without travelling.
- 1
Tell us your goal
Budget, market and whether you want yield, growth or residency.
- 2
We shortlist vetted options
Only handpicked projects from developers with a delivery record.
- 3
Legal & title review
Contracts and ownership verified before any commitment.
- 4
Sign & register remotely
Digital signing or power of attorney; registration handled for you.
- 5
Handover & beyond
Snagging, handover and optional rental management at completion.
The five mistakes that cost buyers most
Most painful outcomes trace back to the same handful of avoidable mistakes — almost all of them about due diligence, not the market itself.
Buying from an open listing portal where anyone can post, with no vetting of the agent or project.
Chasing the lowest headline price without checking the developer's delivery track record.
Underestimating one-off costs and assuming the price is the price.
Skipping independent title and contract review before signing.
Working with an anonymous broker you cannot hold accountable afterwards.
Every one of these is solved the same way: deal with one accountable, licensed platform that vets each agent and handpicks each project — not a marketplace of anonymous listings.
Buyer questions, answered.
Can foreigners buy property in Dubai?
Yes. Foreign nationals can buy freehold property in designated areas of Dubai with full ownership rights — no residency or local sponsor required. Ownership is registered with the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and protected by RERA escrow rules for off-plan purchases.
Is off-plan property in Dubai worth it?
Off-plan can offer lower entry prices than ready property and flexible payment plans spread across construction. The trade-off is construction risk and a wait to handover. Buying through a licensed platform with DLD/RERA escrow protection reduces the main risks.
What is the minimum to get a Golden Visa through property?
A property investment of AED 2 million qualifies for the 10-year UAE Golden Visa. A smaller investor visa is available from AED 750,000 for two years. Thresholds are set by UAE authorities and can change — confirm current rules before relying on them.
What does it really cost to buy property in Dubai?
Beyond the purchase price, budget roughly 7–8% in one-off costs: a 4% DLD transfer fee, agency and registration fees, and a small admin charge. There is no annual property tax and no capital gains tax in the UAE.
Can I buy property in Dubai remotely?
Yes. Many buyers purchase remotely by granting a power of attorney or signing digitally. A licensed platform handles title verification, contracts and DLD registration on your behalf, so you can complete without travelling.
Ready to find the right one?
Take the free investor check. Answer a few questions and get matched with vetted properties — a licensed advisor follows up within 24 hours, no obligation.
Start the free checkThis guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Costs, thresholds, taxes and visa rules vary by market and change over time, and are confirmed in writing for your specific case before any commitment. No return or yield is implied. Last updated June 2026.
