Buying remotely and powers of attorney
How to execute a power of attorney abroad and what it must say, whether a UAE account is needed, who must never hold it, and what to verify in the payment details when you cannot see the property yourself.
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What to know before you download
Short answers to what this guide is usually downloaded for. Every figure states the period it belongs to — rates, visa thresholds and yields move.
Can property in Dubai be bought without travelling
Yes, and it is routine. With a developer, a new-build purchase runs almost entirely at a distance: reservation, contract, payment by transfer. On resale, the transfer of ownership requires attendance at a trustee office — either yours or an attorney’s. So the question is not whether it can be done but who signs for you and on what authority.
How is a power of attorney arranged from abroad
The POA is notarised locally, then legalised — by consular legalisation or apostille, depending on the country — and translated into Arabic by a certified translator in the UAE. The exact sequence and set of stamps depends on where you are, and it is worth confirming with the notary in advance: redoing it takes weeks. Cheaper and faster is a POA executed before a notary inside the UAE during a short visit.
What should the power of attorney say
Specific powers rather than general language. The registrar looks for an expressly named right to sign the sale contract, to receive the title, to open and close the transaction and to pay fees. A POA that is too general may be rejected; one that is too narrow may not cover the act required. Check the validity period separately: many POAs are time-limited, and some offices also look at how recently it was executed.
Is a UAE bank account required
Not for the purchase itself. Settlement runs by bank transfer and manager’s cheque, both possible without a local account. An account becomes necessary later and for other reasons: utilities, letting, a mortgage, and if you intend to receive rental income locally. Opening one as a non-resident is its own process with its own requirements, and it is better planned well before transfer day.
Who should never hold your power of attorney
Anyone representing the other side of the same transaction. A situation where the seller’s broker also acts under your POA is a conflict of interest in which nobody is left to check the deal in your interest. The attorney should be your own lawyer, or someone who receives no payment from the seller. This is the one point in a remote purchase where economising is not an option.
What to verify when everything is remote
The account the money goes to: with a developer the payment goes to the project escrow account, not the company’s operating account, and the account name should match the project name. On resale, that the title is clear and the developer’s transfer permission is in hand. And a live video viewing: ask to be walked round the property on camera rather than sent photographs. A render and a selection of stills are not an inspection.
This material is provided for information purposes and does not constitute individual investment advice. Property returns depend on many factors and are not guaranteed.