Freehold designated areas

Freehold designated areas are the parts of Dubai where foreign nationals may own property outright.

Updated 23 August 2026 - consistent with the April 2026 DLD-GDRFA unified workflow Written by Home Guide Dubai research desk Reviewer: pending appointment

The zones of Dubai where foreign nationals can own property outright - freehold - rather than on a leasehold basis. The designated areas were set out in Regulation No. 3 of 2006 (issued under Dubai Law No. 7 of 2006) and have been expanded several times since. They include most of the districts international buyers know: master-planned communities, waterfront developments and central districts. For the property Golden Visa, the qualifying property must be freehold residential in a DLD-designated area; property outside these zones does not count toward the AED 2 million threshold.

Why it matters A property outside the designated areas cannot anchor a golden-visa application, whatever it is worth.

Where this comes up

Dubai communities · Best areas to buy

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Freehold designated areas in Dubai?

Freehold designated areas are the parts of Dubai where foreign nationals may own property outright.

Why does Freehold designated areas matter?

A property outside the designated areas cannot anchor a golden-visa application, whatever it is worth.

This entry is part of the Home Guide Dubai glossary - the vocabulary a Dubai buyer or Golden Visa applicant actually meets, defined in plain English and kept consistent with our verified guides.