The 9 Best Real Estate Agencies in Dubai (2026)

The Dubai Land Department publishes a Licensed Real Estate Brokers search on its website, where you can look up a broker, an office, a mobile number or an area. DLD also runs a Verify License and Permits service, based on its Trakheesi system, for the licences and permits it issues to real estate practitioners. Ask any agent for their registration details and the permit for the specific listing before you pay a deposit.

Ejari is the system through which tenancy contracts in Dubai are registered with the Dubai Land Department. After registration you receive an e-contract registration certificate, which is the official record of your lease. Registration can be done through the Ejari system, the Dubai REST app or an approved real estate trustee center, and your agency or landlord will normally arrange it, so ask who is responsible before you sign.

Commission is agreed between you and the agency, not set by this guide. Practice varies by deal and by who engages the agent, and VAT applies on top. Ask for the percentage, who pays it and when it falls due in writing before you proceed.

Yes. Foreigners can buy in designated freehold areas, which include many of the best-known communities such as Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Downtown Dubai and Dubai Hills. Ownership rules and available areas depend on the location, so confirm the freehold status of a specific project with the agency and the Dubai Land Department before you commit.

Ask for the agent's registration details and the permit number for the property, who the agent represents (you, the seller or both), what fees and commission you owe, and what happens to your deposit if the deal falls through. Keep every agreement in writing. For a purchase, consider taking independent legal advice before you sign the sales contract.