NRIs in Dubai buying property in Abu Dhabi
If you already live and earn in the UAE, buying in Abu Dhabi is simpler than it is for buyers in India. Here is what changes.
An NRI living in Dubai pays from UAE salary or savings, so the Indian LRS limit and 20% TCS do not apply. UAE residents can usually get a local mortgage, subject to bank criteria. As a non-resident for Indian tax, your Abu Dhabi rent and gains are not taxed in India, and the UAE does not tax them either. Abu Dhabi is about 90 minutes' drive from Dubai, so you can view in person, and a home of AED 2 million or more can support a 10 year Golden Visa that is not tied to your employer.
Funding: no LRS, possible mortgage
Money earned and held in the UAE is outside LRS. UAE banks lend to resident expatriates on Abu Dhabi freehold property, usually with a minimum down payment that is higher for off-plan and second homes. The booking payment and early instalments are usually paid in cash.
Indian tax status
If you qualify as a non-resident under Indian income tax rules, foreign income is not taxed in India. If you move back and become resident, the rent becomes taxable in India, and the property must go in Schedule FA once you are resident and ordinarily resident.
Why NRIs choose Abu Dhabi
More space for the budget than comparable Dubai communities, long-lease tenants, and a Golden Visa that keeps the family's residency secure if you change jobs. Reem Hills, Bashayer and Nawayef are the most asked-about communities.
Common questions
- Do NRIs in Dubai pay TCS when buying in Abu Dhabi?
- No. TCS applies to remittances from India under LRS, not to UAE funds.
- Can I get a mortgage as a Dubai resident?
- Usually yes, subject to the bank's income, age and down payment criteria. We introduce buyers to lenders.