Dubai or Sharjah: property, fees and free zones compared

Side by side

Dubai and Sharjah compared

Official fees and rules for Dubai and Sharjah, side by side.

Emirate rules

Rules in Dubai and Sharjah

Property transfer fee: Dubai

In Dubai the fee for registering a real property sale contract is 4 per cent of the contract value, shared equally unless agreed otherwise.
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Freehold for foreigners: Dubai

Foreigners may own freehold property in Dubai in areas designated by the Ruler.
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Housing fee on rent: Dubai

Dubai tenants pay a municipality housing fee of 5 per cent of annual rent, added to the DEWA bill.
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Residence visa authority: Dubai

Residence visa applications for Dubai are handled by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai.
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Schools regulator: Dubai

Private schools in Dubai are regulated by KHDA.
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School fee rule: Dubai

In Dubai, how much a private school may raise fees depends on its inspection rating and the Education Cost Index set by KHDA (2.35 per cent for 2025-26).
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Courts: Dubai

Dubai has its own local court system, Dubai Courts, and the DIFC Courts hear civil and commercial cases that relate to the DIFC.
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Land department: Dubai

Dubai property is registered with the Dubai Land Department.
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Residence visa authority: Sharjah

Residence visa applications for Sharjah are tracked through the federal ICP.
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Schools regulator: Sharjah

Private education in Sharjah is regulated by the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA).
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Courts: Sharjah

Sharjah follows the federal court system overseen by the Ministry of Justice.
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Land department: Sharjah

Real estate and usufruct rights in Sharjah are registered with the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department.
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All figures for Dubai · All figures for Sharjah · The full free-zone register

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Questions

Dubai or Sharjah: common questions