The land market in 2026
Source: DLD data reported by Gulf Today, 4 August 2026.
Source: DLD data reported by Gulf Today, 4 August 2026.
- Plots were about 8% of sale transactions but 39% of sale value in January to July 2026: 7,981 plots for AED 125 billion (DLD data reported by Gulf Today, 4 August 2026). That is an average of roughly AED 15.7 million a plot (our calculation).
- Commercial land sales in H1 2026 were AED 33.19 billion, 9.3% lower than a year earlier, across 941 deals (Anarock data via Khaleej Times). Capital is shifting from land banking to income-producing assets.
- Regional uncertainty since late February 2026 has slowed Dubai sales. Residential sales in Q3 2026 were AED 72.6 billion, 47% lower than a year earlier, across about 34,000 deals, and off-plan was still 72% of deals (Cavendish Maxwell data, reported by The National on 7 October 2026). Earlier in the year, Q1 2026 real estate transactions of all types reached AED 252 billion across 60,303 transactions (DLD).
Plot types
| Type | Usually bought by | Check before you offer |
|---|---|---|
| Residential villa or townhouse plot | Families building a home, small developers | Permitted height and floor area on the affection plan, master-community build rules and service charges |
| Residential building plot (G+ apartments) | Developers and investors | Gross floor area (GFA), permitted floors, any build-by deadline set by the master developer |
| Commercial or mixed-use plot | Developers, owner-occupiers | Permitted use, GFA, parking and access requirements |
| Industrial plot | Logistics and manufacturing businesses | Zoning, power allocation, whether the area is freehold or leasehold |
The affection plan (site plan) for the plot sets what can be built: land use, floor area and height. Ask for it first, because it decides what the land is worth to you. Land is usually compared by price per square foot of plot or of permitted GFA.
Who can buy land in Dubai
Under Dubai’s real property registration law (Law No. 7 of 2006, Article 4), ownership is open to UAE nationals, GCC nationals, companies fully owned by them and public joint stock companies. Other nationalities can own freehold, or hold usufruct or lease rights of up to 99 years, in the areas designated for non-UAE nationals. Check the area’s status with the Dubai Land Department before you agree a price. This is general information, not legal advice.
What it costs on top of the price
| Item | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| DLD sale fee | 4% of the sale value: officially 2% seller and 2% buyer. In practice the buyer often pays all 4%; who pays is written in Form F | Dubai Land Department |
| Registration trustee (service partner) | AED 4,000 + VAT for a sale of AED 500,000 or more; AED 2,000 + VAT below | DLD registration trustee office |
| Knowledge and innovation fees | AED 10 each | Dubai Land Department |
| Title deed and map | Title deed AED 250; map AED 250 for an apartment, villa or building unit, or for land AED 225 (AED 100 outside Dubai Municipality) | Dubai Land Department |
| DealExit fee | One published fee, tiered by price and invoiced on completion. The seller side is capped | DealExit |
- DLD fee (4%)
- AED 60,000
- of which the buyer pays
- AED 30,000
- of which the seller pays
- AED 30,000
- Registration trustee (incl. 5% VAT)
- AED 4,200
- Knowledge + innovation fees
- AED 20
- Official cost of the transfer
- AED 64,220
Official DLD fees only, from the DLD sale-registration page. Developer NOC, title deed and map fees, and any DealExit fee are not included. An estimate, not a quote.
How a plot sale works on DealExit
- List the asset
The owner lists the asset. We read the facts from the title deed and the affection plan (and, for a building, the rent roll) and show where each one came from.
- Buyers qualify
Buyers verify once, then add proof of funds and Form B before their first offer.
- NDA and data room
An NDA for each asset opens the exact location and the data room. Every view is recorded, so the owner knows who saw what and when.
- Choose how it sells
The owner chooses how it sells: Open Offers, Price Drop with steps the owner approves, or an Exit Window through a licensed partner (Dubai only).
- Complete the transfer
When an offer is accepted, buyer and seller complete Form F and the transfer at a DLD registration trustee office.
DealExit holds no funds, does not negotiate for either side and does not certify a transfer. Official fees are paid at cost to the authority, never to DealExit.