Dubai: With the exception of nationals of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), non-residents and non-citizens of the UAE are permitted to own real estate in Dubai only in one of the designated real estate investment areas. In general, foreign purchasers must be individuals; legal persons are not able to purchase real estate in the investment areas unless they make the purchase through a subsidiary incorporated in a Free Zone. Foreign trusts and other legal arrangements, including trusts or legal arrangements established in the Free Zones, are also not permitted to purchase real estate anywhere in the Emirate.
•
Abu Dhabi: As in Dubai, foreigners are permitted to purchase real estate in Abu Dhabi only in one of nine designated real estate investment areas. Within these areas, there are no restrictions on the type of property they can own or the period of time for which they can own it. Outside of these areas, foreigners cannot exercise freehold ownership of property, although they can exercise other forms of long-term ownership, such as leaseholds and usufruct rights.