Freehold and Leasehold Explained
Foreigners can own outright in Dubai, but only in designated zones. What the distinction actually decides.
Foreign nationals can own property outright in Dubai — but only in designated zones, and the distinction between freehold and leasehold decides what you actually own.
Freehold
Freehold means you own the unit and hold a registered interest in the land indefinitely. Dubai has over sixty designated freehold zones open to foreign ownership, including Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Business Bay, JVC and Dubai Hills Estate.1
Leasehold
Leasehold grants use for a fixed term — commonly up to 99 years — after which the interest reverts. You hold rights of occupation and usually of sale within the term, but not the underlying land.
It shows up in the data
Every transaction record carries a freehold flag. Across the sales in our dataset, freehold dominates heavily — which is itself a signal about where foreign buying activity concentrates.
Practical consequences
- Golden Visa eligibility requires the property to be in a freehold zone.
- Mortgage availability is generally wider on freehold.
- Resale market depth is greater in freehold zones, which affects how quickly you can exit.
- Leasehold pricing should reflect the remaining term — a shortening lease is a depreciating asset.
Common questions
Can any foreigner buy freehold in Dubai?
In designated freehold zones, yes — ownership is not restricted by nationality. Outside those zones, foreign ownership is restricted.
How do I confirm a property is freehold?
The title deed and the Land Department record state it. Transaction records also carry a freehold flag.
Sources
- 1Sarmat — UAE Golden Visa real estate investor 2026: AED 2 million rules and ICP process. sarmat.ae/resources/uae-real-estate-golden-visa-2-mi…
- 2Astra Terra — UAE Golden Visa property investment threshold 2026. www.astraterra.ae/blogs/uae-golden-visa-property-inv…
- 3Dubai Land Department — Open data and services. dubailand.gov.ae/en/open-data/real-estate-data/…
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