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The Downtown skyline and Burj Khalifa at sunset, seen across the water from Dubai Creek Harbour

Property guide · Dubai

Buying in Dubai: Our Property Guide

Where people buy in Dubai, community by community, the agencies with Dubai offices and what the Dubai Land Department says about fees. We never publish prices or yields.

Where people live

  1. The back story

    Buying in Dubai: the back story

    Dubai·In depth

    Freehold areas for foreign buyers, the Dubai Land Department’s fees and the communities people choose: what the official sources say.

    Explore View on map

  2. First homes from late 2026

    Palm Jebel Ali (under construction)

    Jebel Ali·New island

    Nakheel’s second palm-shaped island, south-west of the city.

    Explore View on map

  3. Mall, hospital and business park

    Dubai Hills Estate (open)

    Dubai Hills·Community

    An established community with Dubai Hills Mall, King’s College Hospital and a business park.

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  4. Where people live

    Palm Jumeirah

    Palm Jumeirah·Neighbourhood

    Villas on the fronds and apartments on the trunk and crescent.

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  5. Where people live

    Dubai Marina and JBR

    Dubai Marina·Neighbourhood

    Towers on the water and by the beach, on the tram and Metro.

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  6. Where people live

    Downtown Dubai and Business Bay

    Downtown Dubai·Neighbourhood

    Apartments around Burj Khalifa and along the canal.

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  7. Where people live

    Emirates Hills and Dubai Hills Estate

    Dubai Hills·Neighbourhood

    Villas on golf courses, with schools, a mall and a hospital.

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  8. Where people live

    Dubai Creek Harbour

    Dubai Creek Harbour·Neighbourhood

    A partly open waterfront district facing Downtown.

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  9. Where people live

    Palm Jebel Ali

    Jebel Ali·Neighbourhood

    Nakheel’s second palm, under construction.

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Agencies and the regulator

  1. Residential and research

    Knight Frank UAE

    Dubai·Property consultancy

    The international property consultancy’s Dubai office.

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  2. Residential and commercial

    Savills Middle East

    Dubai·Property consultancy

    Savills’ UAE office for residential and commercial property.

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  3. Prime homes

    Dubai Sotheby’s International Realty

    Dubai·Luxury brokerage

    The Sotheby’s International Realty affiliate in Dubai.

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  4. Al Khail Plaza

    Engel & Völkers Dubai

    Jumeirah Village Triangle·Brokerage

    Engel & Völkers’ Dubai office in Jumeirah Village Triangle.

    Jumeirah Village Triangle, Dubai (7th Floor, Al Khail Plaza)Explore View on map

  5. Control Tower, Motor City

    Allsopp & Allsopp

    Motor City·Brokerage

    A Dubai brokerage headquartered in Motor City.

    Control Tower, Motor City, Dubai (30th Floor)Explore View on map

  6. Sales and lettings

    haus & haus

    Dubai·Brokerage

    A Dubai brokerage for sales and lettings.

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  7. Register every sale

    Dubai Land Department (DLD)

    Dubai·Government regulator

    The government department that registers property sales and regulates brokers.

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