Buyer Guide · Purchase Costs
Property Buying Fees in Abu Dhabi 2026
Every cost you will pay when buying property in Abu Dhabi — itemised, explained, and calculated with examples.
Abu Dhabi's property transaction costs are notably lower than Dubai's (where the DLD fee is 4%, doubling the transfer cost alone). In total, buyers in Abu Dhabi should budget approximately 4–5% of the purchase price in transaction costs on top of the property price itself. This compares favourably to many international markets — UK stamp duty starts at 5% for properties above £250,000 and reaches 12% for AED-equivalent luxury values; Singapore's additional buyer stamp duty is 60% for foreigners. Understanding Abu Dhabi's cost structure fully before making an offer prevents surprises at the registration stage.
1. ADHA Transfer Fee — 2%
The Abu Dhabi Housing Authority charges a 2% transfer fee calculated on the registered property value. This is the largest single transaction cost and is paid by the buyer at the ADHA registration appointment. Examples: • AED 3M property: AED 60,000 ADHA fee • AED 5M property: AED 100,000 ADHA fee • AED 10M property: AED 200,000 ADHA fee Developer promotion: Many off-plan developers, including Aldar, absorb the ADHA transfer fee as a buyer incentive on new launches. Always confirm whether the developer is paying this fee before signing the SPA.
2. Agent Commission — 2% (Standard)
The real estate agent commission in Abu Dhabi is conventionally 2% of the purchase price, paid by the buyer. This differs from some markets (the UK, for example) where the seller pays commission. • AED 3M property: AED 60,000 commission • AED 5M property: AED 100,000 commission For developer (off-plan) purchases, the developer typically pays the agent commission from their marketing budget — buyers do not pay commission on primary sales. Secondary market (resale) purchases carry the 2% buyer commission.
3. ADHA Registration Fee — AED 1,000–3,000
In addition to the 2% transfer fee, ADHA charges a fixed registration fee for the title deed. This varies by property value: • Properties up to AED 1M: approximately AED 1,000 • Properties AED 1M–5M: approximately AED 2,000 • Properties above AED 5M: approximately AED 3,000 These fees are administrative charges for processing and issuing the title deed and are non-negotiable.
4. Mortgage Registration Fee (if applicable) — 0.25%
If you are purchasing with a UAE mortgage, the mortgage itself must be registered with ADHA at 0.25% of the loan amount. Example: AED 3M mortgage → AED 7,500 mortgage registration fee This fee is in addition to the property transfer fee and is paid at the same ADHA appointment. Banks typically disclose this as part of their mortgage offer documentation.
5. Property Valuation Fee (mortgage purchases only) — AED 2,500–5,000
Banks require an independent ADHA-certified valuation before approving a mortgage. Valuation fees are approximately AED 2,500–5,000 and are paid by the buyer to the bank's appointed valuer before mortgage approval. This is a one-time fee and is not refunded if the purchase does not proceed.
6. NOC Fee — Typically Seller-Paid
The No Objection Certificate from the developer confirms all service charges are settled. NOC fees range from AED 500–5,000 depending on the developer. Convention in Abu Dhabi is for the seller to pay the NOC fee. Confirm this allocation in your MOU before signing.
Key Figures at a Glance
| Cost Item | Who Pays | Amount | AED 5M Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADHA Transfer Fee | Buyer | 2% of value | AED 100,000 |
| Agent Commission | Buyer (secondary) | 2% of value | AED 100,000 |
| ADHA Registration | Buyer | AED 1,000–3,000 | AED 2,000 |
| Mortgage Registration | Buyer (if mortgaged) | 0.25% of loan | AED 9,375 (75% LTV) |
| Valuation Fee | Buyer (if mortgaged) | AED 2,500–5,000 | AED 3,500 |
| NOC Fee | Seller (convention) | AED 500–5,000 | Seller pays |
| Total (cash, secondary) | Buyer | ~4.1% | ~AED 202,000 |
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