United Arab Emirates · Stamp Duty
The UAE's transfer fee is a flat percentage with no bands: Dubai charges 4% of the property value at the Dubai Land Department plus a 0.125% admin fee, while Abu Dhabi and Sharjah charge 2%. Because there is no progressive structure, the fee scales linearly — a AED 2.2 million Dubai apartment costs about AED 88,000, the equivalent of several months of rent. Buyers normally pay the fee in full, and it cannot be financed into a mortgage. Off-plan purchases in some emirates attract reduced or deferred fees.
Preset rates are indicative reference values only. Confirm current rates and any reliefs with your local tax authority.
Jurisdiction comparison at AED 2,200,000.00
United Arab Emirates pays AED 88,000.00 (4%) vs United Arab Emirates at AED 88,000.00 (4%).
4% of the property value in Dubai (plus ~0.125% admin fee); 2% in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Bands below are the standard residential buyer schedule used by the calculator.
| Property value | Rate |
|---|---|
| All values | 4% |
Indicative figures compiled August 2026 — official source: Dubai Land Department. Rates are typically indexed or revised each financial year.
A AED 2,200,000.00 purchase in United Arab Emirates attracts about AED 88,000.00 in stamp duty at the standard indicative rates — an effective rate of 4%. Dubai Land Department registration costs about AED 4,000–4,300 plus a mortgage registration fee if financing. That makes the all-in cash requirement AED 2,288,000.00 before you factor in any deposit, legal work, or moving costs. Adjust the price in the calculator to model your own number.
4% of the property value in Dubai (plus ~0.125% admin fee); 2% in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Rates change with legislation and vary by buyer circumstances, so treat these as planning figures and confirm the current rate with Dubai Land Department before you commit.
At the indicative rates above, a AED 2,200,000.00 property attracts about AED 88,000.00 in stamp duty — an effective rate of 4%. Dubai Land Department registration costs about AED 4,000–4,300 plus a mortgage registration fee if financing.. The calculator above lets you change the price and see the result instantly.
There is no general first-time buyer exemption in United Arab Emirates at the standard indicative rates. Dubai: 4% transfer fee + 0.125% admin fee, paid by the buyer (sometimes split by negotiation). Check current eligibility rules with Dubai Land Department.
The buyer pays the transfer fee in Dubai and most emirates, though in negotiated off-market deals the cost is sometimes split or shifted to the seller. Always confirm who bears the fee in the sale contract.
How we calculate: the calculator applies the official band schedule marginally — each rate applies only to the slice of the price inside its band, exactly as the revenue authority does. Worked examples are computed with the same function.
Last reviewed: . Learn more about Nirmal Lashkari and LashkariProperties.
Disclaimer: stamp duty rates change with legislation and vary by buyer circumstances. These are indicative planning figures, not tax advice — confirm every number with Dubai Land Department or a qualified local professional.
