Can You Buy UK Property Whilst Living in Dubai?
- Expat Property Investments Ltd
- Sep 11
- 4 min read
We work with many Brits living in the UAE who initially reached out to us with one common question; Can I actually buy a property in the UK whilst living in Dubai/Abu Dhabi?
The short answer? Yes, and thousands of Brits in Dubai already do but there are a few key things to know about the process, paperwork, and pitfalls to avoid if you want it to be profitable, legal, and (relatively) stress-free.
Whether you’re craving passive income, planning your long-term return to the UK, or just fancy swapping some tax-free dirhams for bricks and mortar back home, this article will walk you through what to expect and how to make it happen.
Why So Many British Expats in Dubai Buy Property in the UK
According to HM Land Registry data, over £8.5 billion of UK property was purchased by overseas buyers in 2022 alone, and Dubai-based Brits make up a decent slice of that.
Why the UK?
Strong rental yields in cities like Manchester, Stoke, Liverpool & Leeds
Familiar legal system and buyer protections
Option to buy through a UK limited company
Long-term capital growth + passive monthly income
Can I Buy Without Being Physically in the UK?
Absolutely.
Thanks to remote solicitors, digital signatures, and companies like ours who manage the whole process for you, you can buy without setting foot in the UK, even if you haven’t been back since way before Brexit.
You’ll need certified ID, proof of address, and source of funds documentation, but we help clients in Dubai handle all of this remotely.
Do I Need a UK Bank Account?
Technically, no but it definitely helps.
You can transfer funds directly from a UAE account and receive rent overseas, but it may cause:
Issues with letting agents paying rent internationally
Friction with mortgage lenders (some prefer UK-based payments)
Extra FX and conversion fees
Most of our Dubai-based clients use Wise or Revolut, which offer UK GBP accounts (with local sort codes) even if you live abroad. This is the most straight-forward approach.
Can I Get a Mortgage from Dubai?
Yes. Many lenders in the UK offer expat buy-to-let mortgages, and there are brokers who specialise in expat lending from the UAE.
Requirements typically include:
Proof of income (e.g. salary slips, tax return if self-employed)
Employment contract (if employed)
3 months bank account statements
Proof of address
UAE residency documents
Minimum deposit of 25–35%
Clean credit history
You can also buy in your own name or via a UK limited company structure, which may offer better tax efficiency long-term.
Full guide here: How to get a buy-to-let mortgage as an expat
And if that all sounds like a lot, don’t worry. We work with mortgage brokers who handle the whole thing for our clients in Dubai. Book a free call with us and we’ll introduce you.
What About Taxes?
This part depends on how you buy, not just where you live.
Here’s what you should consider:
Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT): You’ll pay the 3% investor surcharge plus the 2% non-resident surcharge if you’ve spent less than 183 days in the UK in the last 12 months.
Rental income tax: You’ll be liable to UK tax on rental/company profits, even while living abroad, but you can offset allowable expenses.
Capital gains tax: Payable if/when you sell for a profit, even as a non-resident, if you own in your personal name. If you buy through a Ltd company, you'll pay corporation tax when the gains are realised.
More on this in our article: What taxes do expats need to pay when buying property in the UK?
Still confused about your tax position? Contact us here and we’ll point you in the right direction.
What Does the Investment Process Look Like?
Here’s a simplified version of what it looks like:
Define your strategy
Secure a mortgage in principle or prep your cash
Determine the best location
Find a property or let us do it for you
Make an offer and start conveyancing
Work with your solicitor remotely from Dubai
Complete the purchase and get the keys
Tenant the property and start earning
Or use our ROI calculator to assess property deals
Can You Help Me Do All This?
Yes. We work with British expats in Dubai, Switzerland, Qatar and beyond, handling the entire process for them with our hands-off end-to-end bespoke investment service.
From finding high-ROI investment deals, negotiating offers, arranging solicitors, working with brokers, and even finding your tenant. We do the heavy lifting.
Got questions? Reach out to us here.
Or book a free 30-minute discovery call to explore what’s possible for your budget and goals.
Summary
So, can you buy UK property from Dubai?
Absolutely. The key is working with the right team who knows what it’s like to buy from abroad, navigate expat mortgages, and help you avoid the common (and expensive) mistakes.
Whether you’re earning AED, CHF, USD or QAR, your next property investment can still be in pounds.
We’re here to help make that happen.
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