Investing in Dubai from France
Investing in Dubai from France is fully legal: freehold zones are 100% open to non-residents, with no residency requirement. For a French tax resident the real subject isn't the purchase — it's smooth — but the French-side taxation.
The most profitable market — and the simplest to own
Beyond your country's own rules, Dubai's appeal rests on five durable fundamentals that hold for every foreign investor.
No local tax
None on rent, none on capital gains, none on income in Dubai. Tax happens on your residence-country side — which is why it must be planned.
Target net yield
Gross rental yields of 6–9% are common in the right locations — well above major European capitals.
Golden Visa
A property investment from AED 2M grants a renewable 10-year resident visa for you and your family.
Pegged currency
The dirham has been pegged to the dollar since 1997. No surprise FX risk on your asset's value.
Deep market
Tens of thousands of transactions a year, a public registry (DLD) and fast resale — a transparent, liquid market.
Framework & legality
No nationality restriction in freehold zones (Marina, Downtown, Palm, JVC, Business Bay…). Remote purchase is possible via power of attorney, registered at the Dubai Land Department (DLD); acquisition costs ≈ 4% DLD + ~2-3% fees.
Financing
Non-resident financing is available from UAE banks (LTV typically 50-75%, EIBOR-indexed rates), or a cash purchase. Many French investors prefer the developer's off-plan payment plan (often 10% on booking, construction-linked milestones) over a mortgage.
From selection to signing, guided end to end
One point of contact, independent advice, and zero extra cost to you — we're paid by the developer, not from your pocket.
Framing
We define the goal together (yield, capital gain, Golden Visa) and the budget net of your tax.
Curated selection
We present a negotiated short-list of off-plan and turnkey addresses, each vetted.
Negotiation & booking
We negotiate the payment plan, reserve, register at the DLD — remotely by PoA if needed.
Tax planning
We frame the residence-country declaration with you before signing, not after.
Invest where rental demand runs strongest
Marina, Downtown, Palm, Business Bay, JVC: Level8 steers your capital toward the areas with the best-established yield / resale balance — not the property that's easiest for an agent to sell.
This is the crux. Dubai levies 0% on rent and 0% on capital gains. BUT a French tax resident remains taxable IN FRANCE: the 1989 France-UAE treaty avoids double taxation, yet Dubai rental income enters the computation, and crucially the asset is included in the IFI wealth-tax base if your real-estate net worth exceeds €1.3M. Capital gains may remain taxable in France depending on your situation. Bottom line: 0% in Dubai does NOT mean 0% for a French resident — declaration and IFI must be planned.
Repatriating funds
Rent and resale proceeds are freely transferable to euros (the dirham is USD-pegged). Remember to declare the UAE bank account (form 3916) and the income in France.
How it works
- 1Define the goal (yield, capital gain, Golden Visa) and the budget net of French tax.
- 2Select the property and negotiate the payment plan with Level8 (at no extra cost to you).
- 3Reserve, register at the DLD (remotely via PoA if needed).
- 4Plan the French declaration (income, accounts, IFI) with your tax adviser.
Frequently asked questions
Can a French citizen buy in Dubai?
Yes, with no restriction in freehold zones, no residency required, remotely via power of attorney if needed.
Must I declare my Dubai property in France?
Yes if you are a French tax resident: rental income, UAE bank account (form 3916), and IFI if your real estate exceeds €1.3M. The 1989 treaty avoids double taxation but not the declaration.
Does the Dubai property count for IFI wealth tax?
Yes — Dubai real estate is included in a French resident's IFI base above €1.3M of net real-estate wealth.
Updated 2026-06-25