Freehold areas in Dubai on a map
A foreigner can own freehold property in 83 of Dubai's 224 official communities, going by the Land Department's own record of 2026 sales.
Each shape is one official Dubai Municipality community. The colour shows how the Dubai Land Department registered the sales there from 1 January to 10 October 2026: 123,622 freehold and 4,048 non-freehold, 127,670 in all. Select a community to see its figures, what the law says and its building pages. The status of a single home is set by its plot: read the title deed before you pay.
Select a community to list its buildings with their own BUY DUBAI page, or search a building by name. The Land Department does not publish its plot maps, so the map cannot draw single plots. Water is cut out of each shape, so a community on the coast shows only its land.
Sources: Dubai Land Department open data, sales transactions with the freehold field (1 January to 10 October 2026); Dubai Municipality community boundaries (224 communities, simplified shapes). Coastline and the named community outlines: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). The join of Land Department area names to communities is ours; six small areas are matched with low confidence and are marked.
What is a designated freehold area in Dubai
A designated area is land where the law lets a person who is not a UAE or GCC national own property outright, or hold it by usufruct or a lease of up to 99 years.
Law 7 of 2006 sets the rule. Regulation 3 of 2006 and ten later instruments list the land. They list it by plot number, not by the names buyers know. The published law names 33 areas and 89 plots. It does not name Business Bay, Burj Khalifa, Al Hebiah, Wadi Al Safa, Al Yalayis or Dubai Hills at all, although foreigners buy freehold there every day. Those rights come from decisions on master developments that are not in the public list.
For this reason the map uses what the Land Department records on each sale. That record is evidence of how homes in a community are registered. It is not a legal ruling on a plot.
Three limits. A community coloured green can still hold plots that are not freehold. A community with no sales in 2026 is not coloured as freehold even if the law lists it. In Dubai Investment Park First, all 2,040 sales in 2026 were non-freehold: the law gives usufruct of up to 85 years there, not freehold.
Sources: Regulation No. (3) of 2006 Determining Areas for Ownership by Non-UAE (7 Jun 2006); Regulation No. (1) of 2010 Amending Regulation No. (3) of 2006 (18 Mar 2010); Regulation No. (1) of 2011 Adding New Areas for Ownership of Real Prop (24 Apr 2011); Regulation No. (2) of 2012 Adding New Areas… (7 Jun 2012); Regulation No. (3) of 2012 Adding New Areas… (7 Oct 2012); Resolution No. (14) of 2015 Adding Land to the Areas for Ownership by (18 Nov 2015); Resolution No. (8) of 2016 Adding Land… (9 Jun 2016); Resolution No. (18) of 2019 Adding Land… (4 Sep 2019); Resolution No. (7) of 2021 Adding Land… (3 Mar 2021); Resolution No. (25) of 2021 Adding Land… (12 Jul 2021); Resolution No. (6) of 2022 Adding Land… (28 Feb 2022); Dubai Land Department, "DLD enables private property owners on Sheikh (19 Jan 2025)
List of freehold areas in Dubai, by community
63 communities are freehold in nearly all 2026 sales, 20 are mostly freehold, 4 have some freehold plots and 75 recorded only non-freehold sales.
Freehold: 63 communities
Nearly all 2026 sales here are registered as freehold.
| Community (also known as) | No. | Freehold sales | Non-freehold sales | Law and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madinat Al Mataar (Dubai South, Emaar South) | 521 | 13,868 | 3 | Res. 14/2015 (plots 21, 22, 23): freehold over built units. Res. 8/2016 (plots 205-207) and Res. 7/2021 (21 plots): freehold, usufruct or lease up to 99 years |
| Al Barsha South Fourth (Jumeirah Village Circle) | 681 | 8,115 | 0 | – |
| Wadi Al Safa 5 (Dubailand Residence Complex, Villanova, Arabian Ranches III) | 648 | 6,254 | 0 | – |
| Jabal Ali First (Discovery Gardens, Al Furjan, The Gardens) | 591 | 5,877 | 0 | Reg. 3/2006 ("Jebel Ali", 9 plots: 051, 074, 081-084, 142, 143, 391): freehold, usufruct or lease up to 99 years. Some of these plots may now lie in neighbouring communities |
| Wadi Al Safa 3 (Majan, Al Barari, Living Legends) | 645 | 5,863 | 0 | – |
| Business Bay | 346 | 5,092 | 0 | – |
| Al Yalayis 1 (DAMAC Islands 2, Mira) | 921 | 4,003 | 0 | – |
| Nakhlat Deira (Dubai Islands) | 101 | 3,597 | 0 | – |
| Wadi Al Safa 4 (City of Arabia, Global Village) | 646 | 3,392 | 0 | – |
| Jabal Ali Industrial Second (Downtown Jebel Ali) | 518 | 3,333 | 0 | – |
| Al Hebiah Fifth (DAMAC Lagoons, Remraam) | 683 | 3,135 | 0 | – |
| Al Kheeran First (Dubai Creek Harbour) | 415 | 2,998 | 0 | – |
| Me'aisem First (Dubai Production City, Jumeirah Golf Estates) | 685 | 2,979 | 0 | – |
| Marsa Dubai (Dubai Marina, JBR, Bluewaters, Dubai Harbour) | 392 | 2,712 | 0 | Reg. 3/2006 ("Dubai Marina", plots 007, 014, 015, 033): freehold, usufruct or lease up to 99 years |
| Al Barsha South Third (Arjan) | 673 | 2,696 | 4 | Reg. 3/2006 ("Al Barsha South 3", plot 002): freehold, usufruct or lease up to 99 years. Plot location not verified |
| Al Thanyah Fifth (Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Jumeirah Park, Jumeirah Islands) | 393 | 2,696 | 0 | Reg. 3/2006 ("Emirates Hills 1", plots 004, 814): freehold, usufruct or lease up to 99 years |
| Al Hebiah First (Motor City) | 674 | 2,521 | 0 | – |
| Nadd Al Shiba First (Meydan, Nad Al Sheba Gardens) | 618 | 2,489 | 0 | Reg. 3/2006 ("Nad al-Sheba", plots 209, 215, 222): freehold, usufruct or lease up to 99 years; plot 224 freehold from Reg. 1/2010. Which Nadd Al Shiba community holds each plot is not verified |
| Al Hebiah Fourth (Dubai Sports City, Tilal Al Ghaf) | 682 | 2,403 | 0 | – |
| Al Barsha South Fifth (Jumeirah Village Triangle) | 684 | 2,330 | 0 | – |
| Al Merkadh (MBR City District One, Sobha Hartland, Meydan One) | 347 | 2,164 | 0 | – |
| Hadaeq Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid (Dubai Hills Estate) | 631 | 2,031 | 0 | – |
| Bu Kadra (Sobha Hartland II, Meydan Horizon) | 611 | 1,936 | 0 | – |
| Madinat Dubai Al Melaheyah (Dubai Maritime City, Mina Rashid) | 321 | 1,829 | 0 | – |
| Al Jadaf (Culture Village, Jaddaf Waterfront) | 326 | 1,776 | 8 | Reg. 3/2006 ("Al Jaddaf", plots 003, 007, 008): freehold, usufruct or lease up to 99 years. DLD announcement of 19 Jan 2025: 329 more plots may convert to freehold for a fee (no instrument number published) |
| Warsan First (International City) | 621 | 1,730 | 0 | Reg. 3/2006 ("Warsan 1", plot 002): freehold, usufruct or lease up to 99 years. Res. 25/2021 (plots 306, 3019): usufruct and lease up to 99 years only |
| Burj Khalifa (Downtown Dubai) | 345 | 1,711 | 0 | – |
| Al Yalayis 2 (Town Square) | 922 | 1,439 | 0 | – |
| Warsan Fourth (International City Phase 2, Warsan Village) | 624 | 1,327 | 0 | – |
| Al Yufrah 1 (The Valley, Sobha Sanctuary) | 915 | 1,238 | 0 | – |
| Al Hebiah Third (DAMAC Hills) | 676 | 1,227 | 0 | – |
| Al Satwa (Jumeirah Garden City) | 334 | 1,206 | 18 | – Freehold sales are the new Jumeirah Garden City plots; older Satwa is not freehold. |
| Al Hebiah Second (Dubai Studio City) | 675 | 1,178 | 0 | – |
| Al Barsha South Second (Dubai Science Park) | 672 | 1,127 | 1 | Reg. 3/2006 ("Al Barsha South 2", plot 002): freehold, usufruct or lease up to 99 years. Plot location not verified |
| Al Wasl (City Walk) | 343 | 1,095 | 16 | – |
| Wadi Al Safa 2 (Liwan, Falcon City of Wonders) | 643 | 1,020 | 0 | – |
| Madinat Hind 4 (DAMAC Hills 2) | 914 | 978 | 0 | – |
| Al Yalayis 5 (The Heights by Emaar) | 925 | 934 | 2 | – |
| Nakhlat Jumeira (Palm Jumeirah) | 381 | 880 | 0 | Reg. 3/2006 ("Palm Jumairah", plot 001): freehold, usufruct or lease up to 99 years |
| Saih Shuaib 2 (Dubai Industrial City) | 531 | 728 | 0 | – |
| Al Safouh Second (Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City) | 382 | 706 | 0 | Reg. 3/2006 ("Sofouh 2", plot 005): freehold, usufruct or lease up to 99 years |
| Za'abeel Second (Dubai Design District) | 337 | 686 | 0 | Res. 18/2019 (plots 120, 121, 122): freehold, usufruct or lease up to 99 years |
| Al Rowaiyah First (Dubai International Academic City) | 812 | 648 | 0 | Reg. 3/2006 ("Al Rowyah", plots 063, 065): freehold, usufruct or lease up to 99 years. Which of Al Rowaiyah First, Second or Third is not verified |
| Me'aisem Second (The Oasis by Emaar) | 686 | 623 | 0 | Reg. 1/2011 ("Me'aisam 2", plot 1): freehold, usufruct or lease up to 99 years |
| Wadi Al Safa 7 (Arabian Ranches II, The Sustainable City, Rukan) | 665 | 554 | 0 | – |
| Nakhlat Jabal Ali (Palm Jebel Ali) | 501 | 543 | 0 | Reg. 3/2006 ("Palm Jebel Ali", plot 001): freehold, usufruct or lease up to 99 years |
| Saih Shuaib 1 (Jebel Ali Hills) | 513 | 521 | 0 | – |
| Al Thanyah Third (The Greens, The Views, The Lakes) | 388 | 411 | 0 | Reg. 3/2006 ("Emirates Hills 2", plots 001, 049): freehold, usufruct or lease up to 99 years |
| Al Hebiah Sixth (Mudon) | 677 | 409 | 0 | – |
| Umm Suqeim Third (Madinat Jumeirah Living) | 366 | 359 | 4 | – |
| Al Thanyah Fourth (The Springs, The Meadows, Emirates Hills) | 394 | 352 | 0 | Reg. 3/2006 ("Emirates Hills 3", plot 001): freehold, usufruct or lease up to 99 years |
| Al Thanyah First (Barsha Heights, Tecom) | 383 | 241 | 0 | – |
| Al Kifaf (Wasl 1) | 324 | 233 | 0 | – |
| Ras Al Khor Industrial First (Sobha One) | 612 | 216 | 1 | – |
| Wadi Al Safa 6 (Arabian Ranches) | 664 | 195 | 0 | – |
| Al Safouh First (Sufouh Gardens) | 372 | 164 | 0 | Reg. 3/2006 ("Sofouh 1", plot 069): freehold, usufruct or lease up to 99 years |
| Trade Center First (Sheikh Zayed Road) | 335 | 136 | 2 | DLD announcement of 19 Jan 2025: 128 Sheikh Zayed Road plots (Trade Centre Roundabout to the Water Canal) may convert to freehold for a fee; no instrument number or plot list published |
| Trade Center Second (DIFC, One Central) | 336 | 136 | 1 | Res. 14/2015 (plot 24): freehold over built units. Res. 18/2019 (plot 69): freehold, usufruct or lease up to 99 years. DLD announcement of 19 Jan 2025: Sheikh Zayed Road plots may convert to freehold for a fee |
| Al Barsha First | 373 | 91 | 2 | – |
| Za'abeel First | 325 | 90 | 0 | Res. 6/2022 (plots 58, 59): freehold |
| Al Qouz Fourth (Al Khail Heights) | 359 | 86 | 1 | – |
| World Islands (The World) | 303 | 28 | 0 | Reg. 3/2006 ("The World Islands", plot 001): freehold, usufruct or lease up to 99 years |
| Al Kheeran (Dubai Creek Harbour edge) | 412 | 27 | 0 | – |
Mostly freehold: 20 communities
Most 2026 sales here are registered as freehold, or there are fewer than 20 sales.
| Community (also known as) | No. | Freehold sales | Non-freehold sales | Law and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai Investment Park Second (Dubai Investments Park 2, DAMAC Riverside) | 597 | 1,091 | 220 | Reg. 2/2012 (land plot 1): usufruct up to 85 years only. DAMAC Riverside and Grand Polo are registered freehold; the instrument for that land was not found Mixed by plot. DLD row "Dubai Investment Park Second" is 99.5% freehold (1,091 of 1,097: DAMAC Riverside, Grand Polo). DLD row "DUBAI INVESTMENT PARK SECOND" is 0% freehold (214 sales: Ritaj, Dunes Village, Centurion), which fits the 85-year usufruct rule. The share shown is the plain sum of both. |
| Jumeira First (La Mer, Pearl Jumeira) | 332 | 171 | 35 | – Freehold sales are La Mer, Port de La Mer and Pearl Jumeira; the old Jumeira First streets are not freehold. |
| Mirdif (Mirdif Hills) | 251 | 112 | 45 | Reg. 3/2006 (plots 143, 144): freehold, usufruct or lease up to 99 years. Reg. 3/2012 (plot 2780-251): usufruct up to 99 years only Freehold sales are Mirdif Hills; the rest of Mirdif is not freehold. |
| Nadd Al Hamar | 416 | 64 | 12 | – Freehold sales come from single projects (Myra Onyx). |
| Ghadeer Al Tair (District One West) | 355 | 59 | 6 | – |
| Jumeira Second | 342 | 52 | 4 | – |
| Muhaisnah First | 261 | 34 | 14 | – |
| Jabal Ali Industrial First | 599 | 23 | 20 | – Small numbers; the freehold sales are probably Downtown Jebel Ali plots. |
| Umm Suqeim First | 356 | 30 | 8 | – |
| Al Mamzar | 134 | 10 | 8 | – |
| Saih Shuaib 3 | 532 | 16 | 0 | – |
| Port Saeed | 129 | 11 | 4 | – |
| Hessyan First (Dubai Waterfront: Badra, Veneto) | 511 | 14 | 0 | – |
| Jumeira Bay (Jumeira Bay Island) | 302 | 12 | 0 | – |
| Al Qusais Industrial Fourth | 247 | 7 | 0 | – |
| Umm Hurair Second (Dubai Healthcare City) | 315 | 7 | 0 | Reg. 3/2006 ("Umm Hurair 2", plot 013): freehold, usufruct or lease up to 99 years |
| Saih Shuaib 4 | 533 | 5 | 0 | – |
| Al Qusais Industrial Fifth | 248 | 3 | 0 | – |
| Warsan Second | 622 | 3 | 0 | – |
| Al Qouz Third | 358 | 1 | 1 | Reg. 3/2006 ("Al-Qouz 3", plots 005, 006): freehold, usufruct or lease up to 99 years |
Some freehold plots: 4 communities
Fewer than half of 2026 sales here are registered as freehold. The status is set plot by plot.
| Community (also known as) | No. | Freehold sales | Non-freehold sales | Law and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nadd Hessa (Dubai Silicon Oasis) | 626 | 527 | 802 | – Dubai Silicon Oasis: 527 freehold and 800 non-freehold sales in 2026. Status is set by plot. |
| Al Khwaneej First | 281 | 6 | 17 | – |
| Al Jafiliya | 323 | 1 | 12 | – |
| Wadi Al Amardi | 271 | 1 | 2 | – |
Not freehold in 2026 sales: 75 communities
Every 2026 sale here is registered as non-freehold.
| Community (also known as) | No. | Freehold sales | Non-freehold sales | Law and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai Investment Park First (Dubai Investments Park, Green Community) | 598 | 0 | 2,040 | Reg. 2/2012 (land plot 1): usufruct up to 85 years only. All 2,040 sales in 2026 are registered non-freehold Two DLD rows (two spellings), both 0% freehold. Foreign buyers get usufruct, not freehold title. |
| Hor Al Anz | 127 | 0 | 82 | – |
| Abu Hail | 126 | 0 | 46 | – |
| Warsan Third | 811 | 0 | 46 | – |
| Al Rashidiya | 216 | 0 | 40 | – |
| Al Wuheida | 132 | 0 | 31 | – |
| Al Bada'a | 333 | 0 | 27 | – |
| Al Qouz First | 354 | 0 | 22 | – |
| Al Twar Fourth | 234 | 0 | 21 | – |
| Al Ttay | 284 | 0 | 20 | – |
| Umm Al Sheif | 367 | 0 | 20 | – |
| Nadd Al Shiba Third | 616 | 0 | 19 | Reg. 3/2006 names "Nad al-Sheba" plots 209, 215, 222, 224; which Nadd Al Shiba community holds each plot is not verified |
| Naif | 118 | 0 | 18 | – |
| Al Karama | 318 | 0 | 14 | – |
| Al Mizhar Second | 263 | 0 | 13 | – |
| Al Souq Al Kabeer | 312 | 0 | 13 | – |
| Al Barsha Second | 376 | 0 | 13 | – |
| Al Murar | 117 | 0 | 12 | – |
| Al Twar Second | 227 | 0 | 12 | – |
| Al Warqa'a Third | 423 | 0 | 12 | – |
| Al Muteena | 123 | 0 | 11 | – |
| Al Muraqqabat | 124 | 0 | 11 | – |
| Al Mizhar First | 262 | 0 | 11 | – |
| Al Barsha Third | 375 | 0 | 11 | – |
| Al Ras | 112 | 0 | 10 | – |
| Al Warqa'a First | 421 | 0 | 10 | – |
| Al Baraha | 122 | 0 | 9 | – |
| Al Daghaya | 113 | 0 | 8 | – |
| Al Nahda First | 231 | 0 | 8 | – |
| Al Nahda Second | 241 | 0 | 8 | – |
| Al Safa Second | 357 | 0 | 8 | – |
| Riggat Al Buteen | 125 | 0 | 7 | – |
| Al Twar First | 226 | 0 | 7 | – |
| Jumeira Third | 352 | 0 | 7 | – |
| Al Barsha South First | 671 | 0 | 7 | – |
| Al Khabaisi | 128 | 0 | 6 | – |
| Al Twar Fifth | 233 | 0 | 6 | – |
| Al Khwaneej Second | 282 | 0 | 6 | – |
| Al Raffa | 316 | 0 | 6 | – |
| Al Warqa'a Fourth | 424 | 0 | 6 | – |
| Al Buteen | 114 | 0 | 5 | – |
| Hor Al Anz East | 133 | 0 | 5 | – |
| Muhaisanah Third | 244 | 0 | 5 | – |
| Al Hamriya | 313 | 0 | 5 | – |
| Umm Suqeim Second | 362 | 0 | 5 | – |
| Al Manara | 363 | 0 | 5 | – |
| Al Warqa'a Second | 422 | 0 | 5 | – |
| Ayal Nasir | 116 | 0 | 4 | – |
| Muhaisanah Fourth | 245 | 0 | 4 | – |
| Nadd Al Shiba Second | 615 | 0 | 4 | Reg. 3/2006 names "Nad al-Sheba" plots 209, 215, 222, 224; which Nadd Al Shiba community holds each plot is not verified |
| Al Awir Second | 721 | 0 | 4 | – |
| Nadd Shamma | 213 | 0 | 3 | – |
| Umm Ramool | 215 | 0 | 3 | – |
| Al Twar Third | 228 | 0 | 3 | – |
| Mankhool | 317 | 0 | 3 | – |
| Nadd Al Shiba Fourth | 617 | 0 | 3 | Reg. 3/2006 names "Nad al-Sheba" plots 209, 215, 222, 224; which Nadd Al Shiba community holds each plot is not verified |
| Al Rigga | 119 | 0 | 2 | – |
| Al Garhoud | 214 | 0 | 2 | – |
| Al Mizhar Third | 266 | 0 | 2 | – |
| Umm Hurair First | 314 | 0 | 2 | – |
| Oud Metha | 319 | 0 | 2 | – |
| Al Awir First | 711 | 0 | 2 | – |
| Al Sabkha | 115 | 0 | 1 | – |
| Al Qusais | 232 | 0 | 1 | – |
| Al Qusais Industrial Second | 243 | 0 | 1 | – |
| Muhaisanah Second | 264 | 0 | 1 | – |
| Al Mizhar Fourth | 265 | 0 | 1 | – |
| Al Hudaiba | 322 | 0 | 1 | – |
| Al Safa First | 353 | 0 | 1 | – |
| Al Qouz Industrial First | 364 | 0 | 1 | – |
| Al Qouz Industrial Second | 365 | 0 | 1 | Reg. 3/2006 ("Al-Qouz Industrial Area 2", plots 010, 030): freehold, usufruct or lease up to 99 years |
| Al Qouz Industrial Third | 368 | 0 | 1 | Reg. 3/2006 ("Al-Qouz Industrial Area 3", plot 028): freehold, usufruct or lease up to 99 years |
| Al Athbah | 431 | 0 | 1 | – |
| Ras Al Khor Industrial Third | 614 | 0 | 1 | Res. 25/2021 (plot 33): usufruct and lease up to 99 years only |
| Al Maha | 845 | 0 | 1 | – |
Source: Dubai Land Department open data, sales from 1 January to 10 October 2026. Communities with no sale in 2026 (62) are not listed.
The areas and plots the law names
The published instruments name 33 areas and 89 plots, from Regulation 3 of 2006 to Resolution 6 of 2022, plus the 2025 conversion scheme for Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Jaddaf.
"F / U / L99" means freehold, usufruct or a lease of up to 99 years, as the law words it. The community match for some 2006 plots is our reading, because the plot maps are not public.
| Name in the law | Plots | Instrument | Ownership | Community today | No. | Known as |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Umm Hurair 2 | 013 | Reg. 3/2006, 7 Jun 2006 | F / U / L99 | Umm Hurair Second | 315 | Dubai Healthcare City (phase 1) |
| Al Barsha South 2 | 002 | Reg. 3/2006 | F / U / L99 | Al Barsha South Second (and land later renumbered) | 672 (not verified) | Dubai Science Park; possibly Jumeirah Village Circle and Triangle, which are now 681 and 684 |
| Al Barsha South 3 | 002 | Reg. 3/2006 | F / U / L99 | Al Barsha South Third (and land later renumbered) | 673 (not verified) | Arjan; possibly Jumeirah Village |
| Emirates Hills 1 | 004, 814 | Reg. 3/2006 | F / U / L99 | Al Thanyah Fifth | 393 | Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Jumeirah Islands, Jumeirah Park, Jumeirah Heights |
| Emirates Hills 2 | 001, 049 | Reg. 3/2006 | F / U / L99 | Al Thanyah Third | 388 | Emirates Hills, The Lakes, The Greens, The Views |
| Emirates Hills 3 | 001 | Reg. 3/2006 | F / U / L99 | Al Thanyah Fourth | 394 | The Springs, The Meadows (Emirates Living) |
| Jebel Ali | 051, 074, 081, 082, 083, 084, 142, 143, 391 | Reg. 3/2006 | F / U / L99 | Jabal Ali First; parts are now Me'aisem First and Second and other numbers | 591; also 685, 686 (not verified) | Discovery Gardens, The Gardens, Al Furjan, Jebel Ali Village, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai Production City (not verified which plot is which) |
| Al Jaddaf | 003, 007, 008 | Reg. 3/2006 | F / U / L99 | Al Jadaf | 326 | Culture Village, Jaddaf Waterfront, Dubai Healthcare City phase 2 |
| The World Islands | 001 | Reg. 3/2006 | F / U / L99 | World Islands | 303 | The World, The Heart of Europe |
| Ras al Khor | 165 | Reg. 3/2006 | F / U / L99 | Ras Al Khor; possibly land now in Al Kheeran / Al Kheeran First | 413; possibly 412, 415 (not verified) | The Lagoons, now Dubai Creek Harbour (not verified) |
| Al Rowyah | 063, 065 | Reg. 3/2006 | F / U / L99 | Al Rowaiyah First / Second / Third | 812, 813, 814 (not verified which) | Dubai International Academic City area; parts of Dubailand (not verified) |
| Sheikh Zayed Road | 118, 147 | Reg. 3/2006 | F / U / L99 | Not a DM community name. Probably land now in Burj Khalifa and Business Bay, or Trade Center First/Second | 345, 346 or 335, 336 (not verified) | Downtown Dubai, Business Bay (not verified) |
| Sofouh 1 | 069 | Reg. 3/2006 | F / U / L99 | Al Safouh First | 372 | Al Sufouh Gardens; Dubai Knowledge Park area (not verified) |
| Sofouh 2 | 005 | Reg. 3/2006 | F / U / L99 | Al Safouh Second | 382 | Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City, Palm gateway area (not verified) |
| Al-Qouz 3 | 005, 006 | Reg. 3/2006 | F / U / L99 | Al Qouz Third | 358 | Not verified |
| Al-Qouz Industrial Area 2 | 010, 030 | Reg. 3/2006 | F / U / L99 | Al Qouz Ind. Second | 365 | Not verified |
| Al-Qouz Industrial Area 3 | 028 | Reg. 3/2006 | F / U / L99 | Al Qouz Ind. Third | 368 | Not verified |
| Mirdif | 143, 144 | Reg. 3/2006 | F / U / L99 | Mirdif | 251 | Uptown Mirdif; Mirdif Hills (not verified which plot) |
| Dubai Marina | 007, 014, 015, 033 | Reg. 3/2006 | F / U / L99 | Marsa Dubai | 392 | Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach Residence; later Bluewaters, Dubai Harbour |
| Palm Jebel Ali | 001 | Reg. 3/2006 | F / U / L99 | Nakhlat Jabal Ali | 501 | Palm Jebel Ali |
| Palm Jumairah | 001 | Reg. 3/2006 | F / U / L99 | Nakhlat Jumeira | 381 | Palm Jumeirah |
| Nad al-Sheba | 209, 215, 222 | Reg. 3/2006 | F / U / L99 | Nadd Al Shiba First–Fourth; parts are now Al Merkadh and other numbers | 618, 615, 616, 617; possibly 347 (not verified) | Meydan, Mohammed Bin Rashid City District One (not verified which plot) |
| Nad al-Sheba | 224 | Reg. 3/2006 Art. 4; replaced by Reg. 1/2010, 18 Mar 2010 | 2006: U / L99 only. From 2010: freehold | As the row above | As above | Not verified |
| Warsan 1 | 002 | Reg. 3/2006 | F / U / L99 | Warsan First | 621 | International City (phase 1) |
| Al Lisaili | 126 | Reg. 1/2011, 24 Apr 2011 | F / U / L99 | Al Lesaily | 931 | Not verified |
| Me'aisam 2 | 1 | Reg. 1/2011 | F / U / L99 | Me'aisem Second | 686 | Emaar "The Oasis" is here today (DLD data); the 2011 owner is not verified |
| Dubai Investment Park First | Land plot 1 | Reg. 2/2012, 7 Jun 2012 | **Usufruct up to 85 years** | Dubai Investment Park First | 598 | Dubai Investments Park (Green Community, Ritaj and others) |
| Dubai Investment Park Second | Land plot 1 | Reg. 2/2012 | **Usufruct up to 85 years** | Dubai Investment Park Second | 597 | Dubai Investments Park 2. Note: DAMAC Riverside and Grand Polo carry the DIP Second area name and are flagged freehold in DLD data |
| Mirdif | 2780-251 | Reg. 3/2012, 7 Oct 2012 | **Usufruct up to 99 years** | Mirdif | 251 | Not verified |
| Madinat Al Mataar (521) | 21, 22, 23 | Res. 14/2015, 18 Nov 2015 | **Freehold over commercial and residential units built on the plots** | Madinat Al Mataar | 521 | Dubai South / Dubai World Central |
| Trade Centre Second (336) | 24 | Res. 14/2015 | Freehold over units, as above | Trade Center Second | 336 | Dubai World Trade Centre district (not verified which building) |
| Madinat Al Mataar (521) | 205, 206, 207 | Res. 8/2016, 9 Jun 2016 | F / U / L99 | Madinat Al Mataar | 521 | Dubai South |
| Trade Centre Second | 69 | Res. 18/2019, 4 Sep 2019 | F / U / L99 | Trade Center Second | 336 | One Central / Dubai World Trade Centre (not verified) |
| Zaabeel Second | 120, 121, 122 | Res. 18/2019 | F / U / L99 | Zaa'beel Second | 337 | One Central / Dubai World Trade Centre (not verified) |
| Madinat Al Mataar | 168, 169, 170, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 1311, 1312, 1313, 1419, 1618, 1627, 1628, 1629, 1630, 1631, 1632 | Res. 7/2021, 3 Mar 2021 | F / U / L99 | Madinat Al Mataar | 521 | Dubai South (Residential District, Emaar South, Azizi Venice and others; not verified which plot) |
| Jebel Ali Industrial Third | 64 | Res. 25/2021, 12 Jul 2021 | **Usufruct and lease up to 99 years** | Jabal Ali Industrial Third | 516 | Not verified |
| Ras Al Khor Industrial Third | 33 | Res. 25/2021 | **Usufruct and lease up to 99 years** | Ras Al Khor Ind. Third | 614 | Not verified |
| Al Warsan First | 306, 3019 | Res. 25/2021 | **Usufruct and lease up to 99 years** | Warsan First | 621 | Not verified (Dragon Mart area is a guess) |
| Zabeel First | 58, 59 | Res. 6/2022, 28 Feb 2022 | **Freehold** | Zaa'beel First | 325 | One Za'abeel; Address Residences Zabeel (the two freehold projects DLD shows in Zaabeel First) |
| Sheikh Zayed Road, Trade Centre Roundabout to the Water Canal | 128 plots, numbers not published | DLD announcement, 19 Jan 2025 | Freehold **after the owner converts and pays 30%** | Trade Center First, Trade Center Second; possibly Al Satwa, Al Wasl, Business Bay edge | 335, 336 (others not verified) | Sheikh Zayed Road towers |
| Al Jaddaf | 329 plots, numbers not published | DLD announcement, 19 Jan 2025 | Freehold after conversion, as above | Al Jadaf | 326 | Al Jaddaf |
Sources: Regulation No. (3) of 2006 Determining Areas for Ownership by Non-UAE (7 Jun 2006); Regulation No. (1) of 2010 Amending Regulation No. (3) of 2006 (18 Mar 2010); Regulation No. (1) of 2011 Adding New Areas for Ownership of Real Prop (24 Apr 2011); Regulation No. (2) of 2012 Adding New Areas… (7 Jun 2012); Regulation No. (3) of 2012 Adding New Areas… (7 Oct 2012); Resolution No. (14) of 2015 Adding Land to the Areas for Ownership by (18 Nov 2015); Resolution No. (8) of 2016 Adding Land… (9 Jun 2016); Resolution No. (18) of 2019 Adding Land… (4 Sep 2019); Resolution No. (7) of 2021 Adding Land… (3 Mar 2021); Resolution No. (25) of 2021 Adding Land… (12 Jul 2021); Resolution No. (6) of 2022 Adding Land… (28 Feb 2022); Dubai Land Department, "DLD enables private property owners on Sheikh (19 Jan 2025)
Questions about freehold areas
Where can foreigners buy freehold property in Dubai?
In the designated areas. In 2026 the Land Department registered freehold sales in 87 of the 224 communities, and 63 of them are freehold in nearly all sales.
Is Business Bay freehold?
Yes in practice: all 5,092 Business Bay sales recorded in 2026 are registered as freehold. The published law does not name Business Bay, so check the title deed of the unit.
Is Dubai Investment Park freehold?
Dubai Investment Park First is not: all 2026 sales there are non-freehold, and the law gives usufruct of up to 85 years. Dubai Investment Park Second is mixed by plot.
Is Dubai Silicon Oasis freehold?
Partly. In 2026 the Land Department recorded 527 freehold and 802 non-freehold sales there. The status is set by plot.
Are Deira, Bur Dubai and Karama freehold?
No 2026 sale in the old districts such as Hor Al Anz, Abu Hail, Naif, Al Karama or Al Raffa is registered as freehold.
Is Sheikh Zayed Road freehold?
Only plot by plot. Since 19 January 2025 the owner of a private plot on Sheikh Zayed Road or in Al Jaddaf can convert it to freehold for a fee. A tower is freehold only if its plot was converted.
How do I check if one property is freehold?
Read the title deed or the Oqood certificate, and check the unit in the Dubai REST app of the Land Department. The advert is not proof.