Buying off-plan property in Dubai from India

Under the Reserve Bank of India's Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS), each resident individual can send up to USD 250,000 abroad in a financial year (April to March). Buying property outside India is one of the allowed uses. That is about AED 918,000 at the Nov 3, 2026 rate. Relatives who are resident in India can combine their remittances for one property, if each of them follows the scheme's rules.

Your bank collects tax at source (TCS) on these remittances. From 1 April 2026, the rate is 20% once your LRS remittances for purposes other than education or medical treatment go above INR 10 lakh in a financial year. Ask your bank how much it will collect, and a tax adviser what it means for your return.

If you are resident in India for tax, you report your income and assets abroad in your Indian return. The Income Tax Department says property abroad goes in Schedule FA (foreign assets), and income from abroad, such as rent, in Schedule FSI. Tax paid abroad can be claimed as relief in Schedule TR, with Form 67. Leaving them out can lead to penalties under the Black Money Act, 2015.

This page does not say how much tax you will pay. Ask a tax adviser in India before you buy.

The steps in Dubai are the same wherever you live. Our guides cover signing the sale agreement online, paying the developer, a power of attorney if someone in Dubai will act for you, mortgages for non-residents, and the costs on top of the price.

The Dubai Land Department lists a 10-year renewable residence permit for owners of property with a purchase value of AED 2 million or more. That is about INR 5,17,00,000 at the Nov 3, 2026 rate.