Ownership & law
Freehold
Freehold is outright, perpetual ownership of a property and its land, giving the owner the right to use, lease, sell, or bequeath it.
Freehold grants absolute ownership of both the building and the plot with no time limit, and it is the strongest form of real-estate title. In Abu Dhabi, UAE and GCC nationals can hold freehold across the emirate, while expatriates of other nationalities can typically own freehold within designated investment zones following the 2019 amendment to the property law. A freehold owner generally holds a title deed registered with ADREC and can transfer or mortgage the asset subject to the usual approvals.
Related terms
- Leasehold — Leasehold is the right to use a property for a long fixed term, often up to 99 years, without owning the underlying land outright.
- Investment Zone — An investment zone is an Abu Dhabi area designated by law where expatriates and foreign investors can own property under freehold or other tenures.
- Freehold Zone — A freehold zone is a designated area where expatriates can hold full freehold title, in Abu Dhabi typically within its investment zones.
- Usufruct — Usufruct is the right to use and enjoy a property, including collecting rent, for a long fixed term, without owning it.
- ADREC (Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre) — ADREC is Abu Dhabi's real-estate regulator, overseeing property registration, brokerage licensing, and the emirate's official transaction data.