Can Foreigners Buy on Hudayriyat Island? Freehold Explained

Yes. Hudayriyat Island is freehold. Buyers of every nationality can own property on the island outright, whether or not they live in the UAE. Modon, the island's master developer, offers its residential communities on Hudayriyat on a freehold basis to all nationalities.

What freehold gives you

Ownership of the home and the land it stands on, with no time limit
The right to sell, lease, mortgage and pass on the property
A title registered with the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC) through the DARI platform
No residency requirement: you can buy from abroad

Freehold communities on Hudayriyat Island

Every residential community Modon has launched on the island is freehold for all nationalities, including:

Bashayer
Al Naseem
Nawayef, including Nawayef Park Views, Nawayef Village and Nawayef East
Wadeem
Hudayriyat Golf Estates
Wadeem Gardens

One island, one developer

Hudayriyat Island has a single master developer, Modon, which is responsible for the island's residential communities, infrastructure and public realm. Our article Who Is Developing Hudayriyat Island? explains what the single-developer model means for buyers.

How buying works as a foreign buyer

Choose and reserve a unit. At launch this usually means an expression of interest, followed by a reservation payment once units are allocated.
Sign the sale and purchase agreement (SPA). The SPA sets out the price, payment plan, handover date and your rights as an owner.
Register the purchase. The sale is registered with ADREC on the DARI platform, with a 2% registration fee.
Pay according to your payment plan. Off-plan payments go into a project escrow account and are released to the developer against construction progress.
Take handover. On completion and final payment, the home is handed over and your ownership is registered.
Plan for succession. Freehold property can be passed on, but how it passes depends on your will. Many foreign owners register a will so that their UAE property follows their wishes.

Always check your personal SPA. Payment terms, handover dates and conditions are set out in each buyer's own agreement and may differ from the general information in this article.

Frequently asked questions

Can foreigners buy property on Hudayriyat Island?

Yes. Hudayriyat Island is freehold for all nationalities.

Do I need to be a UAE resident to buy?

No. Non-residents can buy and own freehold property on Hudayriyat Island.

Is the whole island freehold?

Yes. Modon offers its residential communities on Hudayriyat Island freehold to all nationalities.

Can I get a mortgage as a foreign buyer?

Yes, subject to the bank's eligibility rules, which are usually stricter for non-residents. For off-plan financing, read how the up-to-75% off-plan financing works.

Does buying on Hudayriyat Island get me a Golden Visa?

It can, depending on the price, how much you've paid and how much of it is mortgaged. Read Hudayriyat Island and the UAE Golden Visa for the details.

Sources

Ownership terms are taken from Modon's real estate FAQ and Hudayriyat Golf Estates page.

Talk to a Hudayriyat Island specialist

I'm Jasper Roode, a RERA-licensed broker focused on Hudayriyat Island. I work with buyers from Europe and beyond, and can walk you through ownership, registration and the documents to check before you commit.

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