Can you buy property in Dubai without being there? Yes, here is how
LVIn short
Yes. The power of attorney is issued directly by a notary in the Emirates over a video call: you only need your passport and a device with a camera, and the deed is issued within the day. If you do not speak English, the notary provides a certified translator. And if you are buying off-plan from the developer, you do not need one at all.
The short answer
Yes, you can. The power of attorney is issued directly by a notary in the Emirates, over a video call, and it is done within the day.
The usual route: online power of attorney with a UAE notary
You need your passport and a computer or a smartphone. No travel, and nothing to legalise: the deed is valid in the Emirates from the moment it is issued.
- You book the appointment and the notary drafts the deed, naming your representative and what they may do
- You join a video call holding your passport, which you show to the camera
- The notary checks that you are the person on the document and that you understand what you are signing
- You sign digitally and receive the deed, already bilingual in Arabic and English
The call is held in English. If you do not speak it, the notary provides a certified translator who joins the call: the point is to make sure you understand what you are signing, which is what makes the deed valid in the first place.
The reason this route is so quick is structural, and worth understanding: a power of attorney issued by a UAE notary is born inside the UAE legal system. Nobody has to recognise it, because it does not come from outside.
If you buy off-plan, you often need no power of attorney at all
On off-plan, the pre-contract with the developer is signed digitally and registration happens on Oqood, the Dubai Land Department platform that holds the interim registration of the unit until handover. It is the route with the fewest steps of all.
Where the money goes, which is the part that matters
On off-plan, payments do not go to the developer. They go into an escrow account opened for that single project at an approved bank, and are released against verified construction milestones. This is set out in Law No. 8 of 2007 of the Emirate of Dubai.
It is not a formality: misusing those funds is a criminal offence, punishable by imprisonment and a fine of no less than AED 100,000, around 23,000 euro. It is the most concrete protection you have when buying something that does not yet exist, from 5,000 kilometres away.
| Route | What you need | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Online power of attorney with a UAE notary | Passport and a device with a camera | Within the day |
| Off-plan with no power of attorney | Digital signing with the developer | No additional wait |
What to check before signing
- That the project is registered with Dubai's real estate authority and has an active escrow account
- That payments go to that account, never to a different person or company
- That whoever assists you holds a verifiable broker licence: in Dubai every agent has an identification number
- That the power of attorney spells out precisely what the representative may and may not do
Frequently asked
How do you issue a power of attorney to buy in Dubai without going there?
With a notary in the Emirates, over a video call. You need your passport, shown to the camera while the notary verifies your identity, and a device with a camera. The deed is issued within the day, already bilingual in Arabic and English.
What if I do not speak English?
The call is held in English, but the notary provides a certified translator who joins it. The purpose is to ensure you understand what you are signing, which is what makes the power of attorney valid.
Can I limit or revoke the power of attorney?
Yes, and this is the part that deserves the most attention. It should be written for one specific transaction, listing what the representative may do, and revoked once it has served its purpose. A generic mandate allows far more than people have in mind.
Where does the money go when I pay for a property still under construction?
Into an escrow account opened for that single project at an approved bank, as set out in Law No. 8 of 2007 of Dubai. Funds are released against verified construction milestones and misusing them is a criminal offence.
Luca Vallelonga
Italian real estate consultant in Dubai since 2021 · Senior Real Estate Advisor, Gabetti Middle East · BRN 85642
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