Property Gifting
in Dubai.
Transfer ownership of a property in Dubai to a first-degree relative (parents, children or spouse) or between a company and its shareholder through the gifting regime (Hiba) at the Dubai Land Department. DLD fee of 0.125%, processed in the day with issuance of the new Title Deed.
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Four recipients admitted by the DLD.
The gifting regime (Hiba) of the Dubai Land Department limits the free transfer of real estate to a closed circle: first-degree relatives and the relationship between a company and its shareholder. Any other relationship (siblings, cousins, nephews, friends) must be channelled as an ordinary sale and purchase.
From parents to children.
A parent (father or mother) may transfer a property to their son or daughter free of charge. Kinship is evidenced with a birth certificate attested and translated into Arabic.
From children to parents.
An adult son or daughter may gift their property to their father or mother. Same documentary regime: birth certificate attested and with sworn translation into Arabic.
Between spouses.
Between husband and wife the transfer is free of charge, evidencing the marriage with a certificate attested by the UAE embassy in the issuing country and by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with sworn translation into Arabic.
Company and shareholder.
It is admissible to contribute a property from a shareholder to their company (or vice versa) by gifting. The company must be previously registered at the Dubai Land Department as an authorised owner.
When property valuation
is required.
The Valuation Certificate is the official valuation document issued by the Dubai Land Department. It determines the base on which the 0.125% DLD fee is calculated. It is not always required: it depends on the type of property.
When the property is a villa, a land plot or an off-plan unit on a payment plan. In these cases the valuation is carried out by the DLD and is added to the gifting file.
When it is a ready property (apartment already delivered and not off-plan). In these cases the DLD directly checks in its system the value registered for that unit and the 0.125% fee is calculated on that value.
How gifting
is done in Dubai.
Six steps: from validating that the relationship is admissible to receiving the new Title Deed in the beneficiary's name. If the documentation is complete, the procedure closes on the same day.
- 01
Validate eligibility and gather documentation
We confirm that the relationship is admissible (parents, children, spouse, or between a company and its shareholder) and we gather the documentation of the property (Title Deed, Oqood or Pre-Title Deed) and of both parties.
- 02
Apply for the valuation (if applicable)
If the property is a villa, land plot or off-plan unit on a payment plan, the Valuation Certificate is requested from the Dubai Land Department.
- 03
Attend a Real Estate Registration Trustee Centre
Both parties attend the Trustee Centre authorised by the DLD with the complete documentation. If an attorney-in-fact signs, the full power of attorney (all pages and the legalisation sticker) is provided.
- 04
Submission and verification of documents
The trustee reviews identity and kinship (or the corporate relationship), the Title Deed, the developer's NOC if the unit is off-plan and the Valuation Certificate when required.
- 05
Payment of the fees (DLD and trustee)
The Dubai Land Department fees (0.125% on the valuation plus 560 AED) and the trustee fee are settled in the same act. The DLD accepts card or bank cheque; the trustee accepts card, cash or cheque.
- 06
Issuance of the new Title Deed
The Dubai Land Department issues the new Title Deed in the beneficiary's name. The property is officially registered in their favour on the same day.
How much gifting costs.
Dubai Land Department and trustee fees for the gifting of a property in Dubai. It is advisable to confirm the amounts in force at the official DLD portal before processing.
DLD fee
0.125% on the property valuation plus 560 AED. There is a minimum of 2,560 AED when the valuation is below 1,600,000 AED.
Trustee · ready below 2 M AED
2,100 AED Trustee Centre fee for a ready property (already delivered) with a value below two million dirhams.
Trustee · ready above 2 M AED
4,200 AED trustee fee when the ready property exceeds two million dirhams.
Trustee · off-plan below 2 M AED
3,675 AED trustee fee for an off-plan unit (under construction) with a value below two million dirhams.
Trustee · off-plan above 2 M AED
5,250 AED trustee fee when the off-plan property exceeds two million dirhams.
Payment methods
The DLD only accepts card or bank cheque. The trustee accepts card, cash or cheque. Deferred bank transfers are not admitted.
When the company must be registered at the DLD.
If the gifting takes place between a company and its shareholder (or vice versa), the company must be registered at the Dubai Land Department as an authorised owner. Registration is completed at a Trustee Centre in 15 to 30 minutes. Payment is made in cash or by card. Once registered, the company receives by email a reference number that the DLD uses in all future operations.
Sole establishment.
Sole Establishment. Company with a single owner registered at the Dubai Land Department to be able to figure as the owner of real estate.
Limited liability company.
LLC with shareholders resident in the UAE. Registration of the company at the DLD so that it may acquire and hold real estate in Dubai in its own name.
Company with foreign shareholders.
Companies with non-resident partners or structures with foreign participation. They require a specific registration at the Dubai Land Department.
Corporate amendments.
Adding or removing partners, changing the shareholding split or other adjustments after the initial registration of the company at the DLD.
General gifting documentation.
Documents common to any gifting (Hiba) in Dubai, regardless of whether an individual or a company is involved. The Dubai Land Department may request additional supporting documents depending on the specific case.
Property documentation
- Title
- Title Deed, Oqood or Pre-Title Deed of the property, depending on whether the unit has been delivered, is off-plan or in the pre-titling stage.
- Developer's NOC
- No Objection Certificate issued by the developer. Always mandatory for off-plan properties. In Meydan Free Zone the NOC must be issued in Arabic.
- Valuation Certificate
- Only if the property is a villa, land plot or off-plan unit on a payment plan. Not required for ready apartments.
Documentation of the parties
- Identity
- Passport and Emirates ID of both parties. If either party is not resident in the UAE, passport and entry stamp to the country.
- Contact
- Mobile phone and email of each party (the DLD uses these for notifications and confirmation of the procedure).
- Kinship or marriage
- Birth or marriage certificate attested by the UAE embassy in the issuing country and by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with sworn translation into Arabic.
- Power of attorney (if applicable)
- If an attorney-in-fact signs on behalf of the owner, the full power of attorney is provided (all pages and the legalisation sticker).
Documentation by type of registering company.
When a company is involved (as seller or recipient of the gifting), the Dubai Land Department requires specific documentation depending on the authority that issued the licence. A wide catalogue of Free Zones, Mainland and offshore structures is admitted.
Free Zone (generic)▸
Common requirements for most Free Zones:
- Valid Trade License or Certificate of Incorporation.
- Recent Certificate of Incumbency (no more than 6 months old).
- MOA and AOA with sworn translation into Arabic.
- Shareholders: passport, visa page and Emirates ID. Non-residents: passport only.
- NOC from the relevant authority if the company is going to buy property.
- Corporate seal.
Foreign company (offshore, non-resident in the UAE)▸
A foreign company may act only as a seller. To buy or receive a gifting, it must first establish a subsidiary or branch in the UAE (DED, Free Zone or RAK Free Zone); that UAE entity is the one that will appear as the owner. For companies that only sell, no registration at the DLD is required.
- Certificate of Incorporation.
- Certificate of Incumbency (no more than 6 months old).
- MOA and AOA attested by the UAE embassy in the issuing country and by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), with sworn translation into Arabic.
- Shareholders: passport, visa page and Emirates ID. Non-residents: passport only.
DED (Department of Economy and Tourism · Mainland Dubai)▸
- Valid Trading License.
- MOA (not required for Sole Establishments).
- Shareholders: passport, visa page and Emirates ID. Non-residents: passport only.
- Corporate seal.
JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority)▸
- Certificate of Incorporation.
- Recent Certificate of Incumbency (no more than 6 months old).
- MOA and AOA with sworn translation into Arabic.
- Shareholders: passport, visa page and Emirates ID. Non-residents: passport only.
- NOC from the relevant authority if the company is going to buy property.
- Shareholders' resolution or power of attorney when directors or third parties other than the shareholders sign.
- Corporate seal.
RAK ICC▸
For RAK ICC companies appearing as sellers or recipients in a gifting operation:
- Certificate of Incorporation.
- Certificate of Incumbency (no more than 6 months old).
- MOA and AOA with sworn translation into Arabic.
- Shareholders: passport, visa page and Emirates ID. Non-residents: passport only.
- NOC from the relevant authority if the company is going to buy property.
- Shareholders' resolution or power of attorney when directors or third parties other than the shareholders sign.
- Corporate seal.
DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre)▸
- Valid Trade License.
- Extract of Registry (no more than 6 months old).
- MOA and AOA with sworn translation into Arabic.
- Shareholders: passport, visa page and Emirates ID. Non-residents: passport only.
- NOC from the relevant authority if the company is going to buy property.
- Shareholders' resolution or power of attorney when directors or third parties other than the shareholders sign.
- Corporate seal.
Meydan Free Zone▸
- Valid Business License.
- Valid Certificate of Incumbency (no more than 6 months old).
- MOA and AOA with sworn translation into Arabic.
- Shareholders: passport, visa page and Emirates ID. Non-residents: passport only.
- NOC in Arabic from the relevant authority if the company is going to buy property (Meydan particularity: the NOC is issued directly in Arabic).
- Shareholders' resolution or power of attorney when directors or third parties other than the shareholders sign.
- Corporate seal.
IFZA (International Free Zone Authority)▸
- Valid License.
- Valid Certificate of Incumbency (no more than 6 months old).
- MOA and AOA with sworn translation into Arabic.
- Shareholders: passport, visa page and Emirates ID. Non-residents: passport only.
- NOC from the relevant authority if the company is going to buy property.
- Shareholders' resolution or power of attorney when directors or third parties other than the shareholders sign.
- Corporate seal.
ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market)▸
- Valid License or Certificate of Incorporation.
- Valid Certificate of Incumbency or Extract of Shareholders (no more than 6 months old).
- MOA and AOA with sworn translation into Arabic.
- Shareholders: passport, visa page and Emirates ID. Non-residents: passport only.
- NOC from the relevant authority if the company is going to buy property.
- Shareholders' resolution or power of attorney when directors or third parties other than the shareholders sign.
- Corporate seal.
DAFZA (Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority)▸
- Valid Licence.
- Valid Certificate of Incumbency (no more than 6 months old).
- MOA and AOA with sworn translation into Arabic.
- Shareholders: passport, visa page and Emirates ID. Non-residents: passport only.
- NOC from the relevant authority if the company is going to buy property.
- Shareholders' resolution or power of attorney when directors or third parties other than the shareholders sign.
- Corporate seal.
Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation▸
- Valid License.
- Valid Certificate of Incumbency (no more than 6 months old).
- MOA and AOA with sworn translation into Arabic.
- Shareholders' resolution or power of attorney when directors or third parties other than the shareholders sign.
- Corporate seal.
RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone)▸
- Certificate of Incorporation or Trade License.
- Recent Certificate of Incumbency (maximum 6 months old).
- MOA and AOA with sworn translation into Arabic.
- Shareholders: passport, visa page and Emirates ID. Non-residents: passport only.
- NOC from the relevant authority if the company is going to buy property.
- Shareholders' resolution or power of attorney when directors or third parties other than the shareholders sign.
- Corporate seal.
ADGM or DIFC Foundation▸
ADGM and DIFC foundations may own real estate in Dubai.
- Valid Trading License or Certificate of Formation.
- Certificate of Incumbency (no more than 6 months from the date of issue).
- Charter and By-Law with sworn translation into Arabic.
- Founders: passport and Emirates ID. Non-residents: passport only.
- NOC from the relevant authority if the foundation is going to buy property.
- Founders' resolution or power of attorney when directors or third parties other than the founders sign.
- Corporate seal.
Notes common to all cases: the Dubai Land Department requires a corporate seal to register the company as owner. If the signatories are not the shareholders themselves (for example, directors or third-party attorneys-in-fact), a partners' resolution or power of attorney authorising them is provided. The MOA and AOA are always submitted translated into Arabic.
Your gifting, managed from start to finish.
We coordinate every step of the transfer of property in Dubai by gifting: eligibility, documentation, powers of attorney, sworn translation into Arabic and attendance at the Trustee Centre, in English and Spanish and with operational knowledge of the DLD.
End-to-end case management
We handle the file from end to end: eligibility validation, preparation, appointment at the Trustee Centre and issuance of the new Title Deed.
Coordination with the DLD
Direct dialogue with the Dubai Land Department and with the main authorised Trustee Centres in Dubai.
Eligibility advisory
Before starting we confirm whether the relationship between the parties fits one of the four scenarios admitted by the DLD.
Powers of attorney and translations
We prepare powers of attorney, handle embassy and UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestations and coordinate the sworn translation into Arabic.
13 types of entities
We work with the specific documentation of DED, JAFZA, DMCC, Meydan, IFZA, DAFZA, RAKEZ, ADGM, DIFC, RAK ICC and other admitted issuing authorities.
Bilingual service
Direct attention in English and Spanish from start to finish. We explain every DLD document and every figure on the settlement before signing.
Key terms of property gifting in Dubai.
Quick reference of the concepts that appear when transferring the ownership of a property by gifting at the Dubai Land Department.
DLD (Dubai Land Department)▸
Real estate authority of the Emirate of Dubai. Registers properties and handles sales, gifting (Hiba) and other real estate operations. Issues Title Deeds and Valuation Certificates.
Trustee Centre▸
Real Estate Registration Trustee Centre. Office authorised by the DLD where transfer procedures, including gifting, are executed. It is the physical point attended by both parties.
Title Deed▸
Property deed issued by the Dubai Land Department evidencing ownership of a property that has been delivered.
Oqood▸
Initial buyer registration of an off-plan property at the DLD, valid until handover of the unit and the subsequent issuance of the Title Deed.
Pre-Title Deed▸
Provisional ownership document of a property before the final issuance of the Title Deed. Accepted by the DLD for gifting purposes.
NOC (No Objection Certificate)▸
Developer's no objection certificate. Mandatory in gifting of off-plan properties. In Meydan Free Zone it must be issued in Arabic.
Off-Plan▸
Property under construction not yet delivered. Gifting of off-plan units requires the developer's NOC and, if the unit is on a payment plan, also a Valuation Certificate.
Ready Property▸
Property already delivered and registered with a Title Deed. For ready apartments a Valuation Certificate is not required for the gifting.
Valuation Certificate▸
Official valuation certificate issued by the DLD. Mandatory in gifting of villas, land plots and off-plan units on a payment plan.
Hiba▸
Arabic term for gifting. Real estate donation regime recognised by the DLD between parents, children, spouse and between a company and its shareholder, with a reduced 0.125% fee.
MOA / AOA▸
Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association. Founding documents of the company. The DLD always requires them translated into Arabic when a company is involved in a gifting.
Certificate of Incorporation▸
Certificate of incorporation of the company. Evidences the legal existence of the company involved as a party in the gifting.
Certificate of Incumbency▸
Certificate of validity and shareholding composition. Common for offshore structures (RAK ICC, ADGM, DIFC) and when the DLD requires it to register the company as an owner.
DED / Free Zone▸
DED (Department of Economy and Tourism) issues Mainland licences in Dubai. Free Zones (JAFZA, DMCC, Meydan, IFZA, DAFZA, RAKEZ) are economic zones with 100% foreign ownership. The DLD admits companies of both types as owners.
RAK ICC▸
Offshore authority of Ras Al Khaimah. RAK ICC companies may register at the DLD to buy, sell or receive gifting of properties in Dubai.
AED▸
Emirati Dirham, official currency of the UAE. Fixed exchange rate approximately 1 USD = 3.67 AED.
What we are asked most.
Who can receive a property by gifting in Dubai?
The gifting regime (Hiba) of the Dubai Land Department only accepts four categories of beneficiaries: parents, children, spouse and between a company and its shareholder (in both directions). It does not apply to other relatives (siblings, cousins, nephews) or to third parties.
Can I gift a property to my brother or nephew?
No. Gifting only applies to first-degree relatives (parents, children, spouse) and to the company-shareholder relationship. A transfer to a brother, cousin or nephew is processed as an ordinary sale and purchase, with the standard 4% Dubai Land Department fee.
How much are the gifting fees?
The DLD charges 0.125% on the valuation plus 560 AED (minimum 2,560 AED if the valuation is below 1,600,000 AED). The trustee fee ranges from 2,100 AED to 5,250 AED depending on the property value and whether it is ready or off-plan.
How long does the gifting process take in Dubai?
If the documentation is complete, the gifting is carried out on the same day at the Real Estate Registration Trustee Centre. The DLD issues the new Title Deed in the beneficiary's name within hours after verification and payment of the fees.
When is a Valuation Certificate required?
When the property is a villa, land plot or off-plan unit on a payment plan. For ready apartments already delivered (generally no more than 3 years since handover) it is not required. The Title Deed can be sent to the trustee to confirm whether it applies.
Is the company registered at the DLD only once or every time an operation is done?
Only once. Once registered, the company is authorised for all future real estate operations. In subsequent transactions only a recent Certificate of Incumbency (maximum 6 months), the shareholders' documents and the POA if applicable are submitted. The sworn translation of the MOA into Arabic is also prepared only once.
Is one NOC required per property or one for all of them?
It depends on the issuing free zone. Some authorities accept a general NOC that covers all properties; others require a specific NOC for each operation. This is confirmed directly with the relevant free zone before the procedure.
Does the shareholder have to be in Dubai to register the company or carry out the gifting?
It is not essential. If the shareholder is not a resident, the procedure is handled through a power of attorney (POA) with all pages and the legalisation sticker, attested for use in the UAE. The POA may be granted before a competent notary in the country of origin.
Do all documents need to be translated into Arabic?
Yes. The MOA and AOA and the official certificates (Certificate of Incorporation, Certificate of Incumbency) are submitted with sworn translation into Arabic. If the documents come from outside the UAE, they must also be attested by the UAE embassy in the issuing country and by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
What payment methods are accepted by the DLD and the trustee?
The DLD fees are paid only by card or Manager Cheque (certified bank cheque). Cash is not accepted by the DLD. The trustee fees also accept cash, in addition to card and Manager Cheque.
Can a foreign company own or receive a property in Dubai by gifting?
Not directly. A foreign company without presence in the UAE cannot hold real estate in Dubai. To participate in a gifting or acquisition operation, it must first establish a subsidiary or branch in the UAE (DED, Free Zone or RAK Free Zone). That UAE entity registered at the DLD is the one that appears as owner of the property.
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Transfer your property
in Dubai by gifting,
from start to finish.
Book a consultation with no commitment. We validate the parties' eligibility, prepare the documentation with sworn translation into Arabic and process the gifting at the Dubai Land Department on the same day, in English and Spanish.
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