10 years of property expertise in DubaiThe most prestigious developers in the UAEA team of around twenty advisors0% tax on rental income · net yield up to 8%10-year Golden Visa for investorsAdvisory in your language — from selection to handover10 years of property expertise in DubaiThe most prestigious developers in the UAEA team of around twenty advisors0% tax on rental income · net yield up to 8%10-year Golden Visa for investorsAdvisory in your language — from selection to handover
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●Legal & registries

Freehold

In short

Freehold is perpetual full ownership of a property and its land, open to foreigners in Dubai's designated areas — as opposed to leasehold (long-term lease).

Since 2002, foreigners can buy freehold in designated areas (Dubai Marina, Downtown, Palm Jumeirah, JVC, Business Bay, etc.). The owner holds the property and its land share with no time limit and can resell, rent or transfer it freely.

Freehold is the eligibility condition for the property Golden Visa.

●In practice with Level8

Level8 works exclusively in freehold: every property we present sits in a designated zone, and the title deed is verified on the DLD registry before transfer. For inheritance, the title passes on; we simply recommend framing succession (DIFC will or equivalent) with your counsel.

Key takeaways
  • Perpetual full ownership, open to foreigners in designated zones
  • Freely resellable and inheritable — no prior authorisation
  • Marina, Downtown, Palm, JVC, Business Bay…: the investor areas are freehold
  • It is the basis of the property Golden Visa (AED 2M held value)
Worked example

A French resident buys a freehold 2-bed in Dubai Marina: the title deed is in their name, with no time limit. They can rent it (short-stay licence possible), resell it freely, pass it to their children — and it counts toward the AED 2M Golden Visa threshold.

Sources: Dubai Land Department · Updated 2026-06-23

●FAQ

Frequently asked questions

A question about "Freehold" applied to your project? Ask our team on WhatsApp — answered in under 5 minutes during the day.

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Yes, freehold in designated areas: perpetual ownership of the property and land, freely resellable and transferable.
Several dozen designated zones, including every major investment address: Dubai Marina, Downtown, Palm Jumeirah, Business Bay, JVC, JLT, Dubai Hills, Creek Harbour… Most of the foreign-accessible market is freehold.
For a foreign investor, freehold is the norm: perpetual ownership, free resale, Golden Visa eligibility. Leasehold (30-99-year lease) persists in a few zones and holds value less well at resale.
All the major investment areas: Dubai Marina, Downtown, Palm Jumeirah, JVC, Business Bay, JLT, Dubai Hills and dozens of other designated zones. Historic districts off the list remain reserved for nationals — in practice, the entire investor market is freehold.
●Related terms
Visa & residence

Golden Visa

The Golden Visa is a long-term UAE residence permit (5 or 10 years, renewable) granted notably to real-estate investors who own property worth at least AED 2,000,000.

Read the definition →Legal & registries

DLD (Dubai Land Department)

The DLD (Dubai Land Department) is Dubai's land authority: it registers all property transactions, issues title deeds and publishes the official market data.

Read the definition →
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●Investing on clear ground

Clear terms, safer decisions.

Freehold, escrow, Oqood, Golden Visa: Level8 turns the UAE framework into concrete decisions — and guides you from first call to handover.

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