Buying real estate in Abu Dhabi
Law No. (19) of 2005 on real estate ownership allows expatriates to own real estate in the form of apartments only, without land, through several forms of ownership:
The Abu Dhabi government offers four main systems that allow foreigners to own real estate UAE
Property System:
Certain title deeds for foreigners include the ownership of housing units without land for a period of about 99 years and gives them the right to fully dispose of the apartments and villas they buy without land.
Musataha System:
Foreigners can own housing units within certain investment areas under “musataha” contracts for a period of 50 years, renewable by agreement of the parties for a similar period, which enables construction on unused land. Musataha contracts entitle the owner to enjoy the use of the property and build it or change it during a specified period of years.
The Right To Rent Units For An Initial Period of No Less Than 25 Years:
A law amending some provisions of Law No. 19 of 2005 on real estate ownership in Abu Dhabi
In April 2019, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa, in his capacity as Ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, issued a law amending some provisions of Law No. 19 of 2005 on real estate agents granting non-nationals to own real estate located within investment areas and make any disposal of them.
Citizens And The like, Natural and Legal Persons:
Public shareholding companies in which the shareholding of non-nationals does not exceed 49%
Anyone on whom a decision is issued by the Crown Prince or the Chairman of the Executive Council.
The law stipulates that non-citizens, whether natural or legal persons, have the right to own and acquire all the original and dependent rights in kind over real estate located within the investment areas, and they have the right to make any disposal of this real estate.
Foreigners Are Allowed in Dubai:
Ownership in areas designated for freehold areas. Acquiring the right to own real estate is absolute ownership that is not restricted by time. The right to usufruct the real estate, or the right to lease it for a period not exceeding 99 years in the areas specified by the Land Department.
Executive Council Resolution No. 26 of 2014 regarding the use of real estate in the Emirate of Sharjah, permits, with the approval of the ruler and on the conditions determined by him, for those who are not entitled to own property in the emirate and their companies to obtain a license in the permitted areas that are determined by the government. The period of usufruct shall be a maximum of (100) years from the date of signing the usufruct contract at the Real Estate Registration Department in Sharjah.