Abu Dhabi Property Fees in 2026: The Complete Buyer’s Cost Breakdown

Buying your dream property in Abu Dhabi is a milestone moment, whether it's a home for yourself or an addition to your investment portfolio. 

Before you begin, it’s important to understand the financial aspects of purchasing property. This guide helps you understand the full range of standard fees associated with buying property in Abu Dhabi.

Use this comprehensive guide to Abu Dhabi property fees for 2026 to help you calculate the total cost of buying property in Abu Dhabi. Created by property sales experts at Bloom Holding, this guide lists all the fees and charges you can expect, whether you are buying one of our Bloom Properties or from elsewhere.  

The Core Abu Dhabi Property Fees: What to Budget For

If you are buying a property in Abu Dhabi, either off-plan or ready to move into, these are the main fees to budget for.

Sales and Purchase Fees

The main sales and purchase fee is a government charge required by the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT). It is a payment needed to officially register the transfer of property ownership. You’ll usually see it referred to as the Property Registration Fee, 

This is what you need to know about the Property Registration fee:

• It is payable for every property sale in Abu Dhabi, including both leasehold and freehold, and off-plan.  

• The fee varies between 1% and 4% of the purchase price.

• In 2026, the fee is currently 2%.

• The Property Registration Fee is usually split evenly between seller and buyer, i.e., 1% of the purchase price each. 

• You’ll need to pay this fee to complete the title deed transfer. 

• There is an additional charge of AED 1,000 for the issuance of the title deed certificate. 

• The Property Registration Fee is paid separately from the mortgage amount.

Mortgage Fees

Many buyers choose to finance their property purchase with a home loan. An expat buying property in Abu Dhabi can apply for a mortgage through local banks and financial institutions. Check the payment terms and conditions carefully, as UAE mortgage lenders may follow repayment structures that differ slightly from those in other markets.

If you’re using a home loan to finance your purchase, then you’ll need to budget for up-front fees related to organizing the mortgage. There are several different charges, as detailed below. 

Municipal Mortgage Fee

The government-mandated mortgage fee is required by Abu Dhabi law and is paid to the Abu Dhabi Municipality. 

This is what you need to know about the municipal mortgage fee. 

• You will be charged as a percentage of your total home loan amount.

• In 2026, this is currently 0.1%.

• A minimum payment of AED 500 and a maximum amount of AED 1,ooo currently applies. 

• There is an additional AED 450 administration fee to pay on all transactions.

• This fee is due during the title deed registration process.

• Mortgage-related fees are settled separately from the loan amount and are payable at the time of registration.

Property Valuation Fee

To get approval for a mortgage, you will need to pay for a property valuation. This is payable to your mortgage provider and is usually a set fee. Property valuation fees currently vary between about AED 2,500 and AED 3,500. 

Bank Processing Fee

You will be required to pay a fee to the mortgage provider for processing the loan. This is usually calculated as a percentage of the loan amount and is typically around 0.5% to 1%. Some lenders cap this fee at around AED 2,500 to AED 5,000. 

Musataha Fees

Some properties in Abu Dhabi’s free zones are sold with Musataha rights. These apply if the property you are buying is on land owned by another party, and they give you the right to use the land for a set period of time. 

If relevant to your property purchase, you will need to pay a fee for these rights. Registration fees for Musataha rights in Abu Dhabi are charged at a percentage of the rights’ value (currently 1%), and there is no cap. In addition, you will be charged yearly rent fees for land in Abu Dhabi City, currently AED 0.75 per square foot.  

Musataha-related fees are settled at the time of purchase registration.

Additional Fees

While we’ve covered the most common Abu Dhabi transfer fees, it’s always recommended to request a full breakdown of charges from the seller or developer before proceeding.

Additional fees can include: 

Broker or Agency Fees

If you are not purchasing a home directly from the developer, you will probably be using a real estate agent or broker. Real estate agents usually charge around 2% of the property purchase price, plus 5% VAT. 

NOC Fees

NOC, which stands for No Objection Certificate, is a fee charged by a developer to transfer ownership to the buyer. It is a mandatory charge, and the Abu Dhabi government’s Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) needs to see the NOC before it can officially process the change in ownership. The fee varies between developers. 

Frequently Asked Questions

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For expert guidance on buying property in Abu Dhabi and a transparent breakdown of all associated costs, our team at Bloom is here to support you at every step.

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