Freehold
Freehold: A form of property ownership in Dubai granting indefinite ownership rights, available to foreigners in designated freehold zones.
What is Freehold?
Freehold ownership in Dubai grants the buyer indefinite, hereditable ownership of the property — including the land it sits on (for villas) or a proportionate share of the building plot (for apartments). Freehold ownership is open to foreigners (no UAE residency required) in designated freehold zones: most of New Dubai (Marina, Downtown, JBR, Palm Jumeirah, JVC, Business Bay, Dubai Hills Estate, etc.) is freehold-foreign-eligible, while certain older areas (Bur Dubai, Deira, Karama) are restricted to UAE/GCC nationals. Freehold contrasts with leasehold (limited-term ownership, typically 99 years) and usufruct (use rights only, no ownership transfer). The 2002 freehold decree by Sheikh Mohammed transformed Dubai into the GCC's most foreigner-accessible property market. Properties priced AED 2M+ also qualify the freehold owner for the 10-year UAE Golden Visa.
Example
A foreigner purchasing a 1-bedroom apartment in Dubai Marina becomes the freehold owner indefinitely. They can sell, mortgage, rent out, or pass to heirs. The title deed lists them as registered owner.
FAQ — Freehold
Which Dubai areas are NOT freehold for foreigners?+
Older central districts — Bur Dubai, Deira, Karama, parts of Satwa, and some industrial areas — remain restricted to UAE/GCC nationals. New Dubai (Marina, Downtown, JBR, JVC, etc.) is fully freehold-foreign-eligible.
Is Dubai freehold ownership inheritable?+
Yes — Dubai freehold property is fully inheritable. UAE Sharia courts apply Sharia inheritance rules to Muslim heirs by default; non-Muslims and expats can register a DIFC Wills & Probate document to apply their home-country inheritance law to UAE property.
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Last refreshed: 2026-05-26