The Full Cost of Buying Property Abroad: A Budget Checklist for Dubai, London, Doha and Mumbai

The price on a listing is rarely the amount you will spend. Every market adds taxes, registration charges, fees and running costs, and they differ from city to city. A buyer who budgets only for the price can run short before the keys are handed over.

This checklist works for any city in which Banke Properties lists, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Doha, London and Mumbai. It names the cost categories to ask about and the authority that sets each one, without quoting rates that change. Get current figures in writing before you commit.

Step 1: Start With the Purchase Price and the Payment Plan

For a completed property, the price is paid at transfer, with a deposit up front. For an off-plan or under-construction property, the price is spread across a payment plan, and the later instalments may fall due while you are also paying for a mortgage, travel or fees. Write down every payment, its date and its currency.

Step 2: Government Charges on the Transaction

Most markets charge a tax or fee when ownership is transferred or registered. The name and the amount differ, so ask the agent or lawyer for the exact charge in your case.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi. A registration or transfer fee is paid to the land department, along with administrative charges. Ask who pays each item.
London and the rest of England. Stamp Duty Land Tax applies to most purchases, and non-UK residents can face an additional surcharge. Confirm the current rates with HMRC.
Doha. A registration fee applies when ownership is registered. Confirm the current charge with the Ministry of Justice.
Mumbai. Stamp duty and registration charges apply under Maharashtra rules, and other local charges may apply. Confirm the current rates with the state registration department.

Step 3: Professional Fees

Agent commission. Ask whether it is paid by the buyer, the seller or both, and how it is calculated.
Legal or conveyancing fees. In the UK, a solicitor is essential. In other markets, an independent lawyer can review the contract. Ask for a fixed quote or a clear fee basis.
Surveys and inspections. A snagging inspection for new homes, or a survey for older ones, costs money but can find defects before you pay in full.
Valuation fees. If you are borrowing, the lender may charge for a valuation.

Step 4: Financing Costs

If you are using a mortgage, ask the lender for the total cost, not just the interest rate. Arrangement fees, valuation fees, early repayment charges, insurance requirements and the cost of any currency conversion all add up. Lenders in different countries set their own rules for non-residents, including the size of the deposit they expect, so ask for terms in writing.

Step 5: Moving the Money

Currency conversion has a cost. Banks and transfer firms apply a margin to the exchange rate and may add fixed fees. Compare the amount that arrives, not only the rate. Check whether your own country limits or monitors overseas transfers, and keep records of the source of funds, because lawyers and banks will ask for them.

Step 6: Costs After You Own It

Service charges and maintenance. Apartments usually carry an annual or monthly charge for common parts. Ask for the latest statement and the charge per square foot or square metre.
Insurance. Buildings and contents cover may be required or advisable.
Property taxes. Some cities charge annual property or council taxes, and others do not. Ask what applies to your property.
Utilities and connection fees. Connection deposits or set-up fees may apply.
Furnishing. If you plan to rent the property furnished, budget for furniture and for replacing it over time.
Management fees and vacancy. If you let the property, a management agent charges a fee, and there will be gaps between tenants.

These running costs reduce your net return, which is why our guide on gross versus net rental yield is worth reading alongside this checklist.

Step 7: Tax on Income and on Sale

Rental income and profit on sale may be taxable in the country where the property is, in your home country, or both. Treaties can reduce double taxation, but only if you claim them correctly. Ask a qualified tax adviser in both countries before you buy, and do not rely on a seller or an agent for tax advice.

Step 8: The Cost of Selling

Plan the exit before you enter. Agent commission, legal fees, transfer charges and any early settlement of finance can all apply when you sell. If you bought off-plan, check the rules on resale before completion.

A Quick Budget Table to Complete

Purchase price and payment dates
Transfer tax or registration fee
Agent commission
Legal and survey fees
Mortgage and valuation fees
Currency conversion and bank charges
Service charges and maintenance for the first year
Insurance and utilities
Furnishing and set-up
A reserve for repairs and vacancy

Add a contingency on top. Many buyers set aside an extra margin for costs they have not foreseen. If the total is more than you can comfortably afford, that is a useful finding before you commit, not after.

Why Choose Banke Properties?

Banke Properties lists and advises on property across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Doha, London and Mumbai, so a purchase decision can be compared with the alternatives in one conversation. Our team explains the paperwork, the costs and the timelines in plain language, and tells you when a deal is not worth doing.

Talk to Banke Properties

If you would like help applying this checklist to a specific home or investment, contact the Banke Properties team and tell us your budget, timeline and what you are trying to achieve.

Disclaimer: This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. We have deliberately not quoted rates or thresholds, because they change. Please confirm current details with the relevant authority, such as the Dubai Land Department, HMRC, the Qatar Ministry of Justice or the Maharashtra registration department, and with a qualified professional before you commit money.

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