Dubai Property Transfer Fees: What DLD Actually Charges

June 22, 2026 · 1 min read · Property & Mortgage

Buying property in Dubai comes with more than just the purchase price — the Dubai Land Department (DLD) transfer fee catches a lot of first-time buyers off guard. Here's what to budget for.

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The 4% transfer fee

The headline cost is 4% of the property's purchase price, payable to DLD at the time of registration. In practice, this is often split 2%/2% between buyer and seller by negotiation, though it's commonly paid in full by the buyer in Dubai's current market — check your sale agreement.

Fixed admin fees on top

Beyond the 4%, expect fixed admin charges (knowledge fee, innovation fee, and trustee office registration fee) that typically add a few hundred dirhams to the bill, regardless of property value.

Financing with a mortgage adds another fee

If you're buying with a mortgage, DLD also charges a mortgage registration fee — around 0.25% of the loan amount plus a small fixed charge — on top of the transfer fee.

Frequently asked questions

Who pays the DLD transfer fee, buyer or seller?

It's negotiable, but in Dubai's current market it's most commonly paid in full by the buyer, sometimes split with the seller by agreement.

Is the transfer fee different for off-plan property?

The 4% DLD fee generally applies at the time of registration regardless of whether the property is ready or off-plan, though off-plan purchases may have additional developer-specific registration steps.