REALWorld Law

Taxes

Routes for investment

How can investment in real estate by an individual/organization/company be set up?

United Arab Emirates - Abu Dhabi

United Arab Emirates - Abu Dhabi

The ability to invest in property depends on the class of person/entity and location of the property.

UAE nationals

UAE nationals are individuals possessing UAE nationality and companies and establishments wholly owned by them.

UAE nationals can hold any land interest anywhere in Abu Dhabi.

The same rights are held by:

  • The UAE government and governments of other Emirates
  • The Abu Dhabi government and entities wholly owned by it

GCC nationals

GCC nationals are nationals of the member countries of the Gulf Co-operation Council, which are the Persian Gulf states of:

  • Bahrain
  • Kuwait
  • Oman
  • Qatar
  • Saudi Arabia
  • United Arab Emirates

and corporate entities wholly owned by them.

GCC nationals can hold any land interest within designated investment areas in Abu Dhabi.

Foreign individuals and corporate entities falling outside categories 1 and 2 above

Foreigners can hold the following land interests within 'designated investment areas' only:

  • Floors in buildings (but not the land itself)
  • Usufruct rights (rights of exploitation) lasting up to 99 years, and
  • Musataha rights (development rights) lasting up to 50 years (renewable by mutual consent for a further term of 50 years)

Also 'individuals, companies and parties to be specified by a decision by the Executive Council', can be afforded the same status as nationals for the purpose of the owning real estate. The Executive Council has so far only issued such decisions in respect of Sorouh Properties PJSC and Aldar Properties PJSC, thereby allowing them to hold land interests throughout Abu Dhabi notwithstanding that they have an element of foreign ownership.