Buying Dubai property from India

Why get Indian tax and legal advice before you shortlist?

India has its own rules on sending money abroad, buying overseas assets and reporting foreign income. These are set and changed by Indian authorities, and the right approach depends on whether you are resident or non-resident for Indian purposes. We do not advise on Indian law or tax.

Speak to a qualified chartered accountant or lawyer in India first. Ask how much you can remit and through which route, what your bank will require, how rental income and any eventual sale would be treated, and how the property should be reported. Their answers may shape whether you buy outright, use a payment plan or borrow in the UAE.

Deciding what to buy

Be clear on purpose. A home for family visits suggests different areas from a pure rental investment. Ask your agent for DLD-registered sales evidence and service-charge figures from Mollak for each building you consider. Service charges vary considerably between buildings, and they affect your net return.

Browse properties for sale in Dubai and off-plan properties, and read buying property in Dubai as a foreigner for the general framework that applies to every nationality.

Due diligence from a distance

• Verify the agent's RERA licence and check the advert's Madmoun QR code.
• For off-plan, confirm the developer and project registration and escrow details on the Dubai REST app. See how to verify a developer on Dubai REST.
• For resale, see a copy of the title deed and confirm the seller's identity matches.
• Ask for an unedited video walk-through, including views and common areas.
• Ask whether the property is tenanted, and see the Ejari if so.

If you cannot visit before buying, consider asking an independent person to inspect on your behalf.

How do you transfer funds from India?

Send money only through authorised banking channels in India and keep every confirmation. Developers, trustee offices and UAE banks carry out compliance checks and may ask for evidence of source of funds. Make sure transfer references identify you and the purchase clearly.

For off-plan purchases, payments must go to the project escrow account stated in the sale agreement. For resales, funds usually need to be in a UAE account in time to issue manager's cheques on transfer day. Read sending money for a Dubai property purchase for timing and documentation tips.

Can you sign by power of attorney?

If you cannot travel, appoint an attorney in Dubai. A POA executed in India typically needs notarisation, attestation by the relevant Indian authority and the UAE embassy or consulate, then legalisation in the UAE and a certified Arabic translation. Confirm the current requirements with the UAE mission and with DLD or the trustee office before signing, because a defective POA can stall a transfer.

Keep the powers specific to the transaction. Our buying property with power of attorney guide explains what to include.

What are the costs of buying and owning?

Budget for the DLD transfer fee of 4% of the purchase price, registration and trustee fees, agency commission and, if borrowing, mortgage-related costs. Ongoing costs include service charges, DEWA and maintenance. See Dubai property buying costs.

If you will let the property, line up a property manager before handover. Read managing a Dubai rental from abroad and our management for overseas landlords service.