Freehold vs leasehold.
Freehold means outright ownership in perpetuity. Leasehold means rights to use the property for a fixed period (usually 99 years).
What Freehold vs leasehold means.
Freehold property is owned outright in perpetuity, with full rights to sell, lease, or pass on to heirs. Leasehold is the right to use a property for a fixed period, typically 99 years, after which ownership reverts to the head lessor. In Dubai, designated freehold areas allow foreign nationals to own freehold; the rest is reserved or leasehold.
What this actually means for buyers.
All the areas Mario actively works in (Palm, Marina, Downtown, Creek, Hills, Business Bay, JVC, etc.) are designated freehold, meaning a European or any non-UAE national can own outright with a clean title deed. Leasehold in Dubai is rare for residential purposes and not something most investors should engage with. If a deal is described as leasehold, it's usually a commercial unit or a very specific older project, and the diligence required is meaningfully different.
- Freehold ownership
- Perpetual, full rights
- Leasehold ownership
- Fixed term (typically 99 years)
- Foreigners can own freehold in
- Designated freehold zones (most prime areas)
- Examples of freehold zones
- Palm, Marina, Downtown, Creek, Hills, Business Bay
- Mario's recommendation
- Freehold only for residential investment
Have a specific deal in mind?
Mario walks every European investor through these mechanics on the first call. The diligence trail is what separates a clean deal from a regret.