Dubai DLD Fee Calculator
Calculate Dubai Land Department transfer fees, trustee charges, mortgage registration, and total government costs for your property purchase.
Transaction Details
Typically 75% of property value for expats, 80% for UAE nationals
Fee Breakdown
Total Government Fees
Total Fees Payable
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Understanding DLD Fees in Dubai
The Dubai Land Department (DLD) is the government authority responsible for registering all real estate transactions in the emirate. Every property purchase, transfer, gift, or mortgage registration requires payment of specific government fees to the DLD. Understanding these fees upfront is critical for buyers to budget accurately and avoid surprises at the closing table.
The largest component is the 4% DLD transfer fee, calculated on the property's sale price. While the law states this should be split equally between buyer and seller (2% each), market practice in Dubai often sees the buyer absorbing the full 4%, especially for off-plan purchases from developers. For gift transfers between first-degree relatives (parents, children, spouses), a reduced rate of 0.125% applies, making family transfers significantly more affordable.
Beyond the transfer fee, buyers pay a trustee office fee (AED 4,000 for properties under AED 500,000 or AED 5,000 for those above, plus 5% VAT), a DLD admin fee of AED 580, and a title deed issuance fee of AED 250. If financing with a mortgage, there is an additional mortgage registration fee of 0.25% of the loan amount plus AED 290 admin fee.
For a typical AED 1.5 million apartment purchased with a 75% mortgage, total government fees come to approximately AED 68,000 to AED 70,000 -- roughly 4.5% of the purchase price. This is significantly lower than property transaction taxes in many global markets. For detailed guidance on the full buying process in Dubai, including agent fees and due diligence steps, explore our comprehensive guide.
All DLD fees must be paid before the transfer is processed. Payments are accepted via manager's cheque at authorized trustee offices across Dubai, and some transactions can now be completed through the DLD's REST app for added convenience. The market is regulated by RERA, the Real Estate Regulatory Agency, which oversees broker licensing and dispute resolution. For questions about mortgage options and requirements, visit our mortgage guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
The DLD transfer fee is 4% of the property purchase price. By law it is shared 50/50 between buyer and seller, but in practice the buyer often pays the full 4%, especially for off-plan properties purchased directly from developers. For gift transfers between first-degree relatives, the rate is reduced to 0.125%.
Legally, the 4% DLD transfer fee is split equally (2% each) between buyer and seller. However, in most Dubai transactions — particularly developer sales — the buyer covers the entire 4%. This is typically negotiated in the Memorandum of Understanding (Form F) before the transfer.
The trustee office fee is AED 4,000 for properties valued under AED 500,000 and AED 5,000 for properties valued at AED 500,000 or above, plus 5% VAT. This fee covers the administrative processing of the transfer at an authorized DLD Trustee Office.
Yes. If financing your purchase with a mortgage, the DLD charges a mortgage registration fee of 0.25% of the loan amount plus an AED 290 admin fee. These are separate from the property transfer fees and are payable at the time of mortgage registration.
No, DLD transfer fees and government charges cannot be financed through a mortgage. These are upfront costs that must be paid in cash or via manager's cheque at the time of transfer. Buyers should budget for approximately 4.5-5% of the property price in total government fees.
For off-plan properties purchased from developers, the 4% DLD fee is typically paid by the buyer in full. An Oqood (initial registration) fee of 4% applies at the time of the sale agreement. Upon handover, this converts to the title deed. Some developers offer to cover a portion of DLD fees as a promotional incentive.
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