Property is often transferred between family members for estate planning or personal reasons. In Dubai, this can be done through a gift transfer, which allows ownership to pass to certain relatives without a sale.

Gift transfers follow a separate legal process and benefit from lower transfer fees than a standard property transaction.

Why Consider a Gift Transfer?

The main advantage is cost. A qualifying gift transfer in Dubai is charged at 0.125% of the property’s value, compared to 4% for a standard sale.

It also allows owners to decide who will receive a property during their lifetime, rather than leaving that decision to standard inheritance rules. This can be particularly important for non-Muslim owners who do not have a will in place.

Who Can Use a Gift Transfer?

The reduced fee is available only for transfers between first-degree relatives:

  • Spouses
  • Parents and children

Transfers between siblings or other relatives do not qualify and are treated as standard property transfers.

Property Requirements

Before a property can be gifted, several conditions must be met:

  • The property must be officially registered.
  • Off-plan properties generally also require the developer's written approval.
  • Mortgaged properties require the lender’s consent. Depending on the circumstances, the mortgage may need to be settled or transferred to the recipient.
  • Properties linked to a Golden Visa cannot be transferred until the visa-related restriction is removed.

The Gift Transfer Process

1. Confirm the Relationship

The parties must provide proof of their relationship, such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate.

Documents issued outside the UAE must be translated into Arabic and properly attested. This is often the longest part of the process.

2. Complete Valuation and Registration

The property is valued through the land department, and the developer issues a no-objection certificate confirming there are no outstanding charges.

The application is then submitted through a registration trustee centre.

3. Receive the New Title Deed

Once the application is approved and the applicable fee is paid, a new title deed is issued in the recipient’s name.

How Long Does It Take?

The approval process itself is usually quick once the application has been submitted.

Most delays occur during document preparation, translation, and attestation. Depending on where the documents were issued, this stage can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any transfer fees?

Yes. A qualifying gift transfer is charged at 0.125% of the property’s value. Standard property transfers are charged at 4%.

Can foreigners gift property in the UAE?

Yes. Gifting is available to both UAE residents and non-residents, as long as the property is located within a designated freehold zone. 

Can siblings transfer property to each other through a gift transfer?

No. The reduced fee applies only to spouses, parents, and children. A transfer between siblings is treated as a standard sale.

What happens if the property has a mortgage?

The lender must approve the transfer. Depending on the lender's requirements, the mortgage may need to be paid off before the transfer, or it may be transferred to the new owner.

Can the same property be gifted more than once?

Yes, but only the first qualifying transfer benefits from the reduced fee. Subsequent transfers are treated as standard sales.

Is there a gift or inheritance tax in the UAE?

No. The UAE does not impose gift tax, inheritance tax, or capital gains tax on property transfers.