Abu Dhabi real estate: apartments and villas for sale, off-plan and resale

Off-plan

Abu Dhabi off-plan property

Off-plan sales in Abu Dhabi are governed by Law No. 3 of 2015 on the Regulation of the Real Estate Sector, amended by Law No. 2 of 2025. The 2025 changes tightened how escrow money can be used and how defaults are handled, so older guides may be out of date.

• Every project needs a dedicated escrow account with an approved trustee, and the money may only be used for construction, financing and direct completion costs.
• Since Law No. 2 of 2025, developers cannot draw from escrow until at least 20% of construction is complete, unless a qualifying developer posts an unconditional bank guarantee of at least 20% of construction cost.
• The developer registers the sale on DARI at 2% of the price plus an e-service fee, and must do so within 21 days of the contract date or face an AED 10,000 penalty.
• Developer payment plans, often including construction-linked and handover stages, vary by project and are set out in the SPA.
• Decision 165 of 2025 sets compensation ratios and refund timelines when a defaulting buyer's unit is cancelled and resold, limiting how far contracts can depart from them.
• Construction timelines can slip, so check the project's escrow and registration status before each payment.

Secondary market

Resale property in Abu Dhabi

Buying resale in Abu Dhabi means a completed apartment, townhouse or villa with an issued title deed. On DARI, the platform calculates the valuation and fees, and the title deed is issued once buyer and seller complete the required payments.

• A DARI sale needs a valuation certificate no older than 30 days, the title deed and a developer letter.
• The property cannot be under a mortgage, lease or court order at transfer, so any seller mortgage is cleared first.
• A home can be bought with a tenant in place where agreed, but the lease must be addressed at transfer.
• The 2% registration fee is charged on the higher of the selling price or the valuation, which matters if you negotiate below valuation.
• On Al Reem and Al Maryah, transfers follow ADGM's procedures instead of DARI, so confirm the route before you sign.

Buying costs in Abu Dhabi

Registration fee (ready sale)

2% of the selling price or the valuation, whichever is higher, calculated by DARI.

Registration fee (off-plan)

2% of the total sale price plus an e-service fee; the party responsible is specified at registration.

Off-plan resale registration

2% of the sale price through DARI's Off-Plan Unit Buy and Sell Registration service.

Late off-plan registration

AED 10,000 penalty if the sale is not registered on DARI within 21 days of the contract date.

Agency commission

Commonly 2% of the price plus 5% VAT.

VAT

The first supply of new residential property within 3 years of completion is zero-rated and later residential sales are exempt; commercial property is 5%.

Al Reem and Al Maryah follow ADGM's own fee rules, and mortgage registration fees vary; confirm both before budgeting.

Golden Visa through property in Abu Dhabi

The UAE Golden Visa is federal, so Abu Dhabi property counts in the same way as Dubai property. Under ICP rules, one or more properties with a total value of at least AED 2,000,000 registered in your name qualify for 10-year residence. Off-plan units count where they are bought from an approved developer, and mortgaged property counts where the loan is from an approved local bank. Health insurance for the investor and family is required throughout.

ICP issues the entry permit to complete the residency on a letter from the real estate registration authority confirming ownership of property worth at least AED 2,000,000.