UAE off-plan glossary

Freehold

Ownership category that grants a buyer outright, perpetual ownership of the unit and a proportional share of the land.

Freehold property in the UAE can be owned outright by any nationality in designated freehold areas. Dubai opened freehold ownership to foreigners in 2002; most master-communities (Dubai Marina, JLT, Downtown, JVC, Damac Hills) are freehold. Other emirates have more limited freehold zones — Abu Dhabi reserves some areas for GCC nationals and offers leasehold elsewhere.