When you budget for a property, the unit price is only the start. Registration and transfer fees can add tens of thousands of dirhams, and they differ between Dubai and Sharjah. This guide explains the fees in both emirates based on published sources, and how to benefit from government discounts.
Property registration fees in Dubai
The Dubai Land Department fee: 4%
When buying ready property in Dubai, a transfer fee of 4% of the purchase price is paid to the Dubai Land Department, plus administrative charges. Fee guides published in 2026 put the administrative charges at around AED 580 for ready property. By market convention, the buyer pays the 4% unless otherwise agreed.
Oqood fee for off-plan property
Off-plan units are registered in the Oqood system, again at 4% of the price plus administrative charges. On handover, the registration converts to a title deed without paying the 4% a second time, according to published guides.
Other fees in Dubai
- Registration trustee office fee: a roughly fixed amount depending on property value, plus VAT.
- Title deed issuance: a small fee.
- Mortgage registration: added if you buy with bank financing.
- Agency commission: by market convention around 2% plus VAT on resale, and usually not charged to buyers purchasing directly from a developer.
Overall, market guides suggest budgeting roughly 6% to 8% on top of the price for a cash purchase of ready property in Dubai.
Property registration fees in Sharjah
The Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department registers property transactions. According to Khaleej Times reporting on ACRES exhibition discounts, fees differ by party:
- During ACRES 2024, with a 50% discount, developers paid a 0.5% selling fee, UAE and GCC nationals paid 1% to buy, and other nationalities 2%.
- At ACRES 2025, the department said buyers and sellers would pay 2% instead of 4% during the exhibition.
Based on these figures, standard fees outside discount periods work out at around 2% for UAE and GCC nationals and around 4% for other nationalities. Always confirm the final fees with the department before signing, as they can change with new decisions.
The ACRES 2026 discount
Sharjah's Executive Council approved a 50% discount on registration fees for transactions completed during ACRES 2026 (21 to 24 January 2026), as reported by Gulf News and Khaleej Times. These discounts usually return at the annual exhibition, so watch for the next edition.
Transfer steps in Dubai, briefly
- Agreement: buyer and seller sign an MOU setting the price and terms.
- Developer NOC: confirms there are no outstanding dues on the unit.
- Mortgage settlement, if any: an existing bank loan is cleared or transferred.
- Transfer at a trustee office: fees are paid and the title deed is issued to the buyer.
Registration steps in Sharjah
- Sign the sale contract or purchase agreement with the developer or seller.
- Submit the required documents (ID or passport and contract) to the Real Estate Registration Department or its e-services.
- Pay the registration fee according to party and nationality.
- Receive the ownership certificate, or an initial registration certificate for off-plan units.
Sharjah worked example
A non-UAE, non-GCC buyer purchasing a unit for AED 1 million would pay around AED 40,000 at a 4% rate, falling to about AED 20,000 during an ACRES 50% discount. This is an illustration based on the published figures above; the department sets the actual fee at the time of the transaction.
Quick comparison: Dubai vs Sharjah
- Dubai: 4% of the price for virtually all buyers (ready or Oqood), plus admin and trustee fees.
- Sharjah: a rate that depends on nationality and party, halved during ACRES.
Illustrative example only: an AED 1 million apartment in Dubai means a DLD fee of about AED 40,000 before admin charges. Browse projects such as Emaar South and Dubai Hills Estate in Dubai, or Aljada and Linar in Sharjah, and ask us for a full cost breakdown.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the DLD fee in Dubai?
4% of the purchase price plus administrative charges, for both ready property and off-plan units registered in Oqood.
How much is property registration in Sharjah for foreigners?
Based on published figures about ACRES discounts, the standard fee for non-UAE and non-GCC buyers is around 4%, halved during the exhibition. Confirm with the Real Estate Registration Department before signing.
Who pays registration fees, buyer or seller?
In Dubai the buyer conventionally pays the 4%; in Sharjah fees vary by party, and the contract can set a different arrangement.
Do I pay 4% twice when buying off-plan in Dubai?
No. According to published guides, the 4% is paid at Oqood registration and is not repeated when it converts to a title deed after handover.
Want an exact breakdown of every cost before you buy? Message Alroya Almomayaza Real Estate Brokers on WhatsApp at +971 58 558 9894 and we will send you the full cost for the unit you choose.
