Buying property for your children in dubai: legal rules & smart tips

Many parents buy a home in Dubai for their children as a future investment, or to help them start life on solid ground. Some want to give their kids a place to live when they study or work here, while others see it as a smart way to build long-term wealth. If you’re also considering the same and it’s your first time, you must know that it can be a little confusing at first. Before you start browsing listings, it’s essential to understand the legal side of things. So, let’s walk through what you need to know and a few practical tips to make it a smooth move.

Why Parents Buy Property for Their Children

Dubai is a place where real estate can build stability over time. Prices may rise and fall like any market, but the city’s solid infrastructure, international appeal, and rental demand keep property values strong in the long run.

Some parents buy a home early for a child who’ll move to Dubai for university. Others buy now to lock in a good deal in an off-plan project, so by the time their child turns 21, it’s ready and fully paid off. Instead of worrying about rent or rising accommodation costs later, the property becomes a family asset, and can support your children even if they move abroad someday.

Can You Buy Property for a Child in Dubai?

Yes, you can buy property for your children in Dubai. But minors (under 21 years old in the UAE legal system) can’t legally sign a sale agreement or hold property under their own name without a guardian or court approval. If your child is under 21, you, as the parent or legal guardian, handle the process. The property can be registered under the child’s name, but the guardian manages it until the child becomes legally capable of owning and managing it independently.

The Dubai Land Department (DLD) and Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) oversee the whole process. Transactions involving minors require court approval to ensure the deal protects the child’s interests. The money paid, rental income, or any future sale proceeds are handled in a way that benefits the child.

Age and Legal Capacity

Under UAE law, a person gains full legal capacity at 21 lunar years (around 20 years and 6 months in the Gregorian calendar). Below that age, the individual is considered a minor for property transactions.

So if your child is a minor, and you want to buy a property in their name, you’ll likely need:

• Passport and Emirates ID of parents/child
• Proof of guardianship (you or the other parent).
• A court order allowing the purchase.
• Sale and purchase agreement
• Proof of payment and registration forms
• Approval from the DLD confirming the registration under the child’s name.

It sounds like a lot of paperwork, but lawyers or property consultants who handle family investments in Dubai can guide you through it easily.

Freehold Ownership Rules for Foreigners

If you’re not a UAE or GCC national, you can only buy property in designated freehold areas. These include popular zones such as Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, Jumeirah Village Circle, and Arabian Ranches, among others.

This right is granted by Law No. 7 of 2006, which allows non-nationals to own land in approved freehold zones. The property is entirely yours (or your child’s once they reach legal age), and you can sell, rent, or transfer it without restrictions.

The DLD registration fee is generally 4% of the property value, plus small administrative costs. If you’re buying off-plan, there are also registration requirements at the Dubai Rest platform to ensure transparency and protection. You'll need to undergo interim registration for an off-plan property called Oqood. The fees for Oqood registration range from approximately AED 3,000 to AED 5,250.

Structuring Ownership

When buying for your child, you have a few ways to structure the purchase:

Buy in Your Name, Then Transfer Later

The simplest option is to purchase the property in your own name and transfer ownership to your child once they reach legal age. The transfer can be done as a gift (hiba), which may still involve registration and administrative fees but avoids legal complexity during the child’s minority.

Buy Directly in the Child’s Name with Guardianship Approval

If you prefer the property to be in the child’s name from day one, you’ll need court approval. The court will confirm that the purchase serves the minor’s benefit. The parent or guardian manages the property until the child turns 21.

Set Up a Trust or Family Holding Structure

Some families with multiple properties use a family trust or holding company structure. It helps with inheritance planning and makes future transfers smoother. While this isn’t common among everyday buyers, it’s an option for those managing larger assets.

Smart Tips Before You Buy

If you’re new to property buying in Dubai, it can feel like there’s a lot to figure out. Don’t worry, once you know what to look for, it all starts to make sense. Here are some practical tips to guide you along the way.

Think Long-Term

When you’re buying a home for your child, that decision could shape their future. So, walk around the neighbourhood, have a look at the roads, and maybe even chat with a few people who already live there. They’ll tell you things you won’t find in any ad, like how easy it is to get groceries, whether traffic is bad in the mornings, or how quickly you can get to the metro. A property close to schools, hospitals, or a metro station usually holds its value better. If your child decides to rent it out later, these things make it easier to find tenants. Even small details, like nearby shops or a quiet street, can make life smoother for them.

Understand the Costs

Besides the property price, there are a few extra costs that come along the way, and it’s better to know them up front.:

• 4% DLD registration fee + AED 580 Admin fees.
• Around AED 2,100 or 4,200 trustee office fees, depending on the property value.
• Maintenance or service charges (usually AED 10–30 per sq. ft annually)
• AED 250 for the Title Deed issuance fee

If you’re buying an off-plan property, take a close look at the payment schedule. Some plans span several years, while others require a larger payment after handover. Make sure the timeline works comfortably for you.

Choose a Developer with a Track Record

In Dubai, developers vary a lot in how they work. Some have a strong history of on-time delivery, while others may face delays or quality issues. Before signing anything, look up the developer’s past projects, their RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority) registration status, and whether their earlier buildings were completed as promised. If you can, visit one of their finished communities and see how well it’s maintained.

Keep the Paperwork Straight

Buying for your child involves a bit more paperwork than usual, but it’s manageable if you stay organised. If the property is registered under your child’s name, keep court approvals, guardianship proof, title deed copies, payment receipts, and any communication from the Dubai Land Department safe. You’ll need these when your child becomes old enough to take full ownership later.

Plan for Inheritance Early

Dubai follows Sharia-based inheritance laws, which may divide property differently from how you’d prefer. If you’re an expat, you have the option to register a will through either the Dubai Courts or the DIFC Wills Service Centre. Doing this allows you to clearly state who should receive the property and how they should receive it. It’s a small step that can prevent confusion or legal complications later.

Get Professional Guidance

Even if you know the basics, consult a property lawyer or RERA-certified agent. They can point out details you might overlook, like service charge disputes, developer records, or title deed issues. It’s better to pay a small fee upfront than deal with legal complications later.

Conclusion

Buying a property for your child in Dubai is more about giving them a sense of stability in the years ahead rather than chasing quick profits. Yes, the process might seem a little complicated at first. There’s paperwork, approvals, and a few legal steps that can feel intimidating. But once you understand how things work here, the whole buying process becomes easy. So, take your time to learn the details, ask questions when something isn’t clear, and talk to people who’ve done it before. Every bit of information you gather makes you more confident in your decisions. After all, what you’re really building is a piece of security your children can depend on when they study, start a career, or begin their own families someday. Long after the paperwork is done and the keys are handed over, what remains is the quiet comfort of knowing they have a place to call their own.

If you’ve been thinking about securing a home for your child, there’s no better time to start. Our experienced team can help you find secure, high-value options in Dubai’s top communities, while handling all the legal and registration details for you.

Contact us today to start building a legacy your family can rely on.