What does it really cost to buy in Abu Dhabi?

The 2% transfer fee is only part of it. Here's every cost, who usually pays, and what it adds up to.

The short answer

Budget around 4 to 8% on top of the price, depending on whether you use an agent and a mortgage. ^[1] On a Dh2 million apartment bought with a mortgage, that's roughly Dh80,000 to Dh105,000.

Updated November 2026 2 min read

What are the fees?

Cost	How much	Who usually pays
Registration (transfer) fee	2% of the price ^[1]^[2]	Often split 1% each with the seller, but it's negotiable. Check your contract. ^[1]
Title deed	Dh1,000 ^[1]	Buyer
Agency commission	Around 2% of the price, plus 5% VAT ^[1]	Buyer, if you use an agent
Developer NOC	Set by the developer, typically Dh500 to Dh5,000 ^[3]	Usually the seller
Mortgage registration	0.1% of the loan (minimum Dh500, maximum Dh1,000), plus a Dh450 admin fee ^[1]	Buyer
Property valuation	About Dh2,500 to Dh3,500 ^[1]	Buyer, paid to the bank
Bank arrangement fee	0.5 to 1% of the loan ^[1]	Buyer, paid to the bank

What does that add up to?

A worked example: a Dh2 million apartment, bought through an agent, with an 80% mortgage (Dh1.6 million).

Cost	Estimate
Registration fee (2%, if you pay it all)	Dh40,000
Title deed	Dh1,000
Agency commission (2% + VAT)	Dh42,000
Valuation	Dh3,000
Bank arrangement fee (up to 1% of the loan)	Dh16,000
Mortgage registration and admin	Dh1,450
Total	About Dh103,450 (5.2%)

If the seller pays half the registration fee, the total drops to about Dh83,450. Buy with cash and no agent, and it's about Dh41,000, or Dh21,000 if the seller pays half the registration fee. These are estimates: get the exact figures from your agent, bank and developer before you commit.

How much cash will you need in total?

Put in your price and choices to see your deposit and every fee together.

What about after you buy?

Service charges

Every year, for maintaining the building or community. They vary a lot by building, so ask for the last two years' bills before you buy.

Utilities and cooling

Some buildings charge separately for district cooling, which can be significant.

If you rent it out

Expect agency fees for finding tenants, and some months empty between them.

What's the catch?

Read these before you sign anything.

Off-plan costs look different.

Buying direct from a developer usually means no agency fee, and developers sometimes offer to cover fees as a sales incentive. Read exactly what's included.