Real estate
Emirate by emirate, not country-wide.
Registration, escrow, brokerage and off-plan sales are governed at emirate level, and Dubai and Abu Dhabi do not do it the same way.
What makes this sector hard
- Escrow and off-plan rules that differ between emirates
- AML obligations on brokers and agents
- Advertising and listing restrictions
- Tenancy and service-charge disputes
A developer operating in both emirates runs two compliance programmes, not one. Escrow mechanics, broker registration, advertising rules and AML obligations on agents all differ.
The advisors keep the two apart and say which emirate an answer applies to, every time.
Where it applies
Where to start
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Entering the UAE market
Onshore or a financial free zone — and what each one costs you.
The UAE is not one jurisdiction. Choosing between the mainland and a financial free zone sets your licensing route, your courts, your data rules and your tax position for years.
Learn more Entering the UAE market -
Licensing and authorisation
What you need permission for, and from whom.
Regulated activity in the UAE is defined narrowly and enforced literally. The expensive mistakes are the ones where a firm thought it was outside the perimeter.
Learn more Licensing and authorisation -
Building a compliance programme
Policies that survive an inspection.
AML/CFT, sanctions, data protection and conduct — drafted against the instruments that actually apply to you, not a template from another market.
Learn more Building a compliance programme
Other sectors
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Najem AI produces analysis and drafts for internal use. It is not legal, tax, audit or investment advice and does not create a professional relationship.