How to Buy Property in Dubai OR Other Emirates

buying property in dubai & other emirates

How to Buy Property in Dubai OR Other Emirates

buying property in dubai & other emirates

To buy property in Dubai or other Emirates – what do you need to know? 

First, identify the reason for buying property in Dubai or other Emirates.
Is it an investment or for your own use?

Next, do you want the property to be ready now?  Or you want to invest for the future?

Then, decide on the Emirate and specific location within it.

Remember, that expats can only own in designated freehold zones.

Review carefully the title deed, to know:

  • Who the sellers are;
  • Whether the property is mortgaged or paid off;
  • And the property specifications, such as size and parking.

Furthermore, it is important to:

  • Conduct thorough property inspection.
  • And understand whether the property is rented or not. 

Then, come the commercial factors.

  • Make sure that you agree on the purchase price ahead of time and that you can afford it.  
  • Remember, that there is often a 10% deposit that is held with the agent.  Although it is not required by law.
  • Then, identify the amount of the annual service charges.
  • In addition, you will also have to pay a 4% registration fee to the government. 
  • As well as real estate brokers’ fees. 

Finally, make sure that whoever you are dealing with is either 

1) the property owner or
2) an official representative with the specific Power of Attorney. 

Importantly, all of this information should be clearly documented in the underlying agreements, which you understand.

The transfer of ownership happens at one of the official transfer centers, at the end of which you will receive a new title deed, in your name.

Buying Property in Dubai or Other Emirates - FAQ

Yes. Often, there is a 10% deposit that is held with the agent.  Although it is not required by law.

Yes. Expats can buy property in Dubai or other Emirates. However, you can only own in designated freehold zones.

You need to review the title deed to know: 

  • Who the sellers are;
  • Whether the property is mortgaged or paid off;
  • And the property specifications, such as size and parking.

The transfer of ownership happens at one of the official transfer centers, at the end of which you will receive a new title deed, in your name.

1) The property owner or
2) An official representative with the specific Power of Attorney.

Medical Insurance Dubai | Minimum Coverage

medical insurance dubai - minimum coverage

Medical Insurance Dubai | Minimum Coverage

medical insurance dubai - minimum coverage

Medical insurance Dubai, which is mandatory, has to provide minimum coverage. 

The minimum coverage must meet the requirement of what is called – the “Essential Benefits Plan.” 

This Plan specifies the bare minimum benefits and coverage, which every policy of medical insurance Dubai must include.

At a high level, the policy covers basic:

  1. Tests,
  2. Diagnosis, and
  3. Treatments within Dubai; and possibly other Emirates, depending on the insurance.
  4. As well as emergencies in all Emirates.
  • The Essential Benefits Plan also includes a specific, albeit limited, network of medical providers. 

  • Furthermore, under this Plan, the combined claim amount is up to AED 150,000.00, for every year of coverage.

  • Importantly, the Essential Benefits Plan automatically applies to all residents in Dubai, with salaries below AED 4,000.00/month.

  • This medical insurance Dubai requirement and level of coverage are expressly provided for in the Dubai Law No. 11 of 2013 re. Health Insurance in Dubai and, specifically, Articles 7 (1) and 9.

Therefore, all Dubai residents, by default, must have the Dubai medical insurance coverage, as per these specifications. In fact, as part of the Dubai residence application, the sponsor must present proof of the Dubai medical insurance coverage, in order to process their employee’s visa.

This means that, all of those employees, who are sponsored by Dubai companies, must have the Basic medical coverage. Although, often, it seems that many employees are not aware of this. 

Medical Insurance Dubai - FAQs

The minimum coverage of the Dubai Medical Insurance must meet the requirement of what is called – the Essential Benefits Plan. The EBP must cover all basic benefits and coverage that includes tests, diagnosis, emergencies and treatments within Dubai. It could also possibly include other Emirates depending on the insurance type.

At a high level, the Dubai Medical Insurance policy must cover the following: 

  1. Tests
  2. Diagnosis
  3. Treatment within Dubai
  4. Possibly other Emirates depending on the insurance type

Yes, the Dubai Medical Insurance covers emergencies across all Emirates. 

The Dubai Medical Insurance – Essential Benefits Plan automatically applies to all residents in Dubai with salaries below AED4,000/month. 

You can claim up to a combined amount of AED 150,000 for every year of coverage. 

Age for Freelance License in UAE

Age for Freelance License in UAE

Age for Freelance License in UAE

Age for Freelance License in UAE

 

UAE Freelance licenses in Dubai or any other emirates are now available for those who are 18 years of age and up.   

 

Previously, to start a business in the U.A.E., including freelance businesses, could only be done by those who were at least 21 years old. Now, the free-zones, in particular, across most of the Emirates, have extended the option of setting up the UAE freelance licenses to anyone who reaches the age of 18.

 

For the time being, however, for those who wish to set up on the mainland, the minimum age remains 21. Although, it should just be a matter of time before the mainland also lowers its requirement to 18. 

 

To clarify, the mainland is an economic zone under the jurisdiction of DED, or the Department of Economic Development. The changes to the minimum age requirement stem from the recent legislative amendments.

 

In particular, the new U.A.E. Commercial Transactions Law, which is the Federal Decree Law No. 50 of 2022, and Articles 18.1 and 18.2, in particular. That law replaced the previous Commercial Transactions Law No. 18 of 1993.

Fines for False UAE Absconding Cases Against Domestic Workers

False absonding uae cases against domestic worker

Fine for Filing False UAE Absconding Case Against Domestic Workers

False absonding uae cases against domestic worker

 

UAE Absconding reports, against domestic workers, which are filed fraudulently or fictitiously, are expressly against the law. And as such, are now subject to specific penalties and fines.

1. In particular, employers, who maliciously file UAE absconding reports against their domestic workers, are subject to a fine of AED 5,000 for each domestic worker.
2. Importantly, the authority that regulates employment of domestic workers is MOHRE.  3. And it is MOHRE directly, that has the ability to impose such fines on breaching employers, without the need to go to court.  

Furthermore, when an employer is fined, that employer’s file becomes suspended, preventing them from hiring new domestic helper, until the fine is paid. This provides an effective solution against fraudulent or malicious UAE absconding reports.
By not only deterring employers from such abusive practices, but also allowing domestic helpers to file such complaints more easily.
This is in line with the UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 106 of 2022, re: the Executive Regulations of Federal Decree Law No. 9 of 2022 on Domestic Workers. And, in particular, Schedule No. 2, which is annexed to the Resolution.

Fines for False UAE Absconding Cases Against Domestic Workers- FAQs

As per the law, employers, who file false UAE absconding reports against domestic workers, are subject to a fine of AED 5,000, for each domestic worker.

When an employer is fined, their files get suspended which prevents them from hiring new domestic helpers, until the fine is paid.

The employment of domestic workers is regulated by the Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratization (MOHRE).

Health Insurance in Dubai

Health Insurance in Dubai

Health Insurance in Dubai

Health Insurance in Dubai


Health insurance for Dubai residents is mandatory. This means that all sponsors are required to provide the Dubai health insurance to their dependents.  

This is so, whether residents are sponsored by someone else or self-sponsored. Therefore, all those who sponsor their family members, including under a Golden Visa, are required to provide Dubai health insurance to their dependents. 

And for those who are sponsored by their employers, the obligation is on the company to provide the Dubai health insurance for them.

Importantly, for those employees who are sponsored by either

1) Family members or

2) Self-sponsored, the obligation for the Dubai health insurance lies on the sponsor, and not the employer.  


Furthermore, failure to provide health insurance in Dubai is subject to various penalties. For example, employers who sponsor their employees, but fail to provide medical insurance, are subject to a fine of a minimum of AED 1,000/employee.

Overall, the Dubai health insurance legislative framework in Dubai is rather extensive, with over 120 regulations, directives, circulars, notices, and guidelines issued by various authorities. But one of the most notable ones is Dubai Law No. 11 of 2013 re. Health Insurance in Dubai and, specifically, Articles 7 (1) and 9. As well as, Dubai Executive Council Resolution No. 7 of 2016 on Fees and Penalties regarding Health Insurance in Dubai.

Health Insurance in Dubai - FAQs

Yes, the Dubai Health Insurance in UAE is mandatory for all residents.

Yes. All sponsors are required to provide the Dubai Health Insurance to their dependents.

It is the obligation of the sponsor and not the employer to provide the Dubai Health Insurance in UAE.

The obligation is on the company to provide the Dubai Health Insurance for them.

Yes. The employer who fails to provide Dubai Health Insurance will be subject to a fine of a minimum of AED 1,000/employee.