How to Use Power of Attorney to Purchase or Sell Property in Dubai

Dubai's real estate market attracts investors and homeowners from across the globe — but not every buyer or seller can be present in person for every signature or title transfer. In a city where deals move fast and documentation is tightly regulated, a Power of Attorney (POA) has become the key legal instrument that enables investors to act remotely, confidently, and in full compliance with UAE law.

A POA lets you delegate authority to a trusted representative — a lawyer, relative, or licensed real estate agent — to complete property-related actions on your behalf. When drafted and registered correctly, it saves weeks of travel, keeps your deals fully compliant, and ensures every transaction meets Dubai Land Department (DLD) standards.

Why Power of Attorney Matters in Dubai Real Estate

Dubai's property ecosystem is international, dynamic, and documentation-driven. Thousands of investors manage their Dubai portfolios while living in London, Sydney, or Singapore. Without a POA, they would need to travel each time they want to:

• Sign a Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA);
• Obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the developer;
• Register ownership at the Dubai Land Department (DLD);
• Sign mortgage or loan release paperwork.

A properly executed Power of Attorney allows another person to perform these actions legally on your behalf. It's widely accepted across all DLD Trustee Centres, ensuring business continuity and peace of mind — even when you're thousands of kilometers away.

Power of Attorney vs. Real Estate Representation

It's essential to distinguish between an agent's representation and a Power of Attorney.

• A real estate broker can market your property and negotiate with buyers but cannot sign ownership transfer documents.
• A Power of Attorney holder can legally sign the sale or purchase documents, collect or transfer funds, and finalize the transfer at a DLD Trustee Office.

A POA is not just an informal authorization — it's a legally binding instrument recorded in official UAE registries.

That's why many overseas investors issue limited, property-specific POAs to reputable, RERA-licensed professionals such as DDA Real Estate, ensuring compliant, seamless execution from abroad.

Types of Power of Attorney in Dubai (Real Estate)

Type	Scope	Common Use	Validity
General POA	Broad powers over multiple assets, bank dealings, and property transactions	Between family members or business partners	Commonly up to 2 years
Property-Specific POA	Limited to one property and one transaction	For buying or selling a specific apartment/villa	Until completion
Developer POA	Authorizes collection of title deeds or handover documents	For off-plan buyers	Until handover
Mortgage/Bank POA	Covers mortgage settlement or clearance	For owners with financing	As per bank policy
Overseas POA	Signed abroad, legalized, translated, and registered in Dubai	For non-residents	1-2 years after attestation

Since 2025, Dubai requires that the POA expressly authorise the exact real estate action (sale, purchase, mortgage release, etc.) and identify the specific property by title deed or Oqood number. Generic wording can lead to rejection at DLD Trustee Centres.

Legal Foundations and Recognition (Updated 2025)

Power of Attorney in Dubai is regulated by Federal Law No. 5 of 1985 (Civil Transactions Law) and supervised by the Dubai Notary Public and Dubai Land Department (DLD).

Dubai recognises two categories of valid POA:

1. UAE-issued POA — notarised through the Dubai Notary Public (including the e-notary service).
2. Foreign-issued POA — signed abroad, notarised locally, legalised by the UAE Embassy, attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), translated into Arabic, and then registered before use.

For property transactions, the POA must be in Arabic (a bilingual English-Arabic version is accepted) and meet DLD's notarial standards. Once registered, the POA gives your attorney full legal authority to act on your behalf within its stated scope.

How to Draft a Legally Valid POA

A Power of Attorney must clearly identify both parties and the exact powers being delegated. It should include:

• Principal's (your) full name, nationality, and passport number;
• Attorney's name, nationality, and Emirates ID (if UAE resident);
• Full property details (title deed number, plot, project, developer);
• Exact powers granted — sell, buy, collect payments, obtain NOC, sign transfer documents;
• Expiry date or transaction limitation;
• Signatures of both parties in presence of a notary.

Vague or template-based POAs risk rejection.

Issuing a POA Inside the UAE

If you are in Dubai:

1. Visit a Dubai Notary Public or Real Estate Services Centre;
2. Present Emirates ID and passport;
3. Sign before a notary officer;
4. Pay the notarization fee (typically AED 300-500).

The notary's stamp activates your POA instantly. Your representative can then act immediately within the scope of the document.

Issuing a POA from Outside the UAE

For overseas investors:

1. Draft the POA in UAE-compliant format;
2. Sign before a local Notary Public in your home country;
3. Legalise through the UAE Embassy or Consulate;
4. Attest it at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) upon arrival in Dubai;
5. Translate into Arabic by a certified legal translator;
6. Register with the Dubai Land Department before use.

If any step is skipped, the POA will be invalid.

Validity and Expiration

Real estate POAs are not indefinite:

• General POAs — commonly valid up to two years;
• Property-specific POAs — valid until the transaction is completed.

Once the term or purpose ends, authority automatically lapses.
A new POA must be issued and registered for future transactions.

Typical Costs and Government Fees (2025)

Step	Typical Fee (approx.)
Notarization at Dubai Notary Public / e-notary	AED 300-500+ (depending on format)
MOFA attestation	AED 150 per document
Certified Arabic legal translation	AED 100-250 per page
UAE Embassy legalization abroad	Varies by country
DLD registration for property use	Around AED 200

Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using generic templates — may fail DLD format check.
2. Granting unlimited powers — always restrict to one property or transaction.
3. Omitting expiry date — indefinite POAs can raise compliance issues.
4. Failing to attest foreign POAs — missing embassy or MOFA seals voids them.
5. Appointing unlicensed representatives — always use RERA-registered agents.

Revoking or Amending a POA

If your situation changes, you can revoke or update the POA anytime.

In Dubai:

1. Visit a notary public and sign a Revocation Notice;
2. Notify the DLD and developer in writing;
3. Request digital registration of revocation.

If issued abroad: Follow the same embassy and MOFA attestation process as for issuance.

Digitalisation and Security

Dubai's e-notary and DLD verification systems make forgery virtually impossible. Every notarized POA receives a unique QR/barcode reference, verified instantly at Trustee Centres. While DLD's blockchain validation applies to electronic title deeds, POAs are securely authenticated through the Dubai Notary's e-notary registry and cannot be altered once notarized.

This multilayer verification ensures that no unauthorized person can use or modify a POA after registration.

FAQ

Can I buy or sell property in Dubai entirely via POA?
Yes. A properly registered POA allows your representative to complete all property transfer steps at DLD Trustee Centres.

Is a foreign Power of Attorney valid in Dubai?
Yes — if notarized, legalized by the UAE Embassy, attested by MOFA, translated into Arabic, and registered with DLD.

Does the attorney gain ownership rights?
No. The POA grants only authority to act. Ownership remains in your name until legally transferred.

How secure is the process?
All POAs are recorded in e-notary systems and verified at DLD. Misuse constitutes a criminal offense under UAE law.

How long does the process take?
Usually 7-10 business days, depending on embassy processing.

Why choose DDA Real Estate?
Because DDA unites legal precision with market expertise — providing compliant execution and end-to-end transaction oversight.

In Dubai's real estate market, distance should never limit opportunity. A properly structured Power of Attorney simply ensures that your ownership rights and transactions remain seamless — wherever you are in the world. What truly matters is what that power enables: to purchase a beachfront villa, close a high-return investment, or complete a sale in one of the world's most secure and profitable property markets.

At DDA Real Estate, we help international buyers and investors move beyond paperwork — straight into profitable, fully managed ownership. From off-plan investments to ready luxury properties, we identify assets that align with your goals, timeline, and lifestyle — with the same discretion and precision trusted by global clients. Your next property move in Dubai can start today — no travel, no delays, no uncertainty.

Contact DDA Real Estate to explore on-market and private listings that match your investment vision and let Dubai work for your future.