Who can own property in Sharjah
Sharjah Law No. 2 of 2022 amended Law No. 5 of 2010 on real estate registration. The general rule still limits ownership to UAE and GCC nationals, with exceptions that include ownership in real estate development areas and projects under controls set by the Sharjah Executive Council.
On 1 November 2022 the Executive Council announced a decision "allowing all nationalities to own real estate of all kinds without limitation of time in real estate development areas and projects". In practice this means a foreign buyer can own in the approved master communities, and should confirm with the developer and SRERD which ownership type applies to the specific project.
Registration and fees
Sales in Sharjah are registered with the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department (SRERD). Executive Council Resolution No. 34 of 2018 on selling real estate units, as summarised by the law firm publication Lexology, sets the registration fee at 4% of the purchase price, paid by the buyer, when the buyer is not a UAE or GCC national, and 1% from the seller plus 2% from the buyer for UAE and GCC nationals. The same summary says SRERD only registers sale contracts in the form it has ratified.
Sharjah has also offered temporary fee reductions: the Executive Council approved reduced buying and selling fees for deals made at the Sharjah Real Estate Exhibition in 2024. Ask whether any reduction applies on the date you buy.
To check before you pay: confirm the current fee with SRERD, as we could not find a fee schedule published on SRERD's own website.
The main Sharjah communities with new homes
These master communities come from developers in our directory:
- Aljada (Arada): a large mixed-use community, plus Arada's Masaar forest villa communities.
- Maryam Island (Eagle Hills with Shurooq): waterfront apartments on the Sharjah coast.
- Tilal City (Tilal Properties): a freehold master community offering land plots.
- Sharjah Waterfront City (Ajmal Makan): an eight-island waterfront project in Al Hamriyah.
- Al Mamsha and Hayyan (Alef Group): a car-free neighbourhood in Muwaileh and a villa community with a lagoon.
- Al Zahia (Majid Al Futtaim and Sharjah Holding) and Sharjah Sustainable City (Diamond Developers with Shurooq).
- Khalid Bin Sultan City (BEEAH), designed by Zaha Hadid Architects.
See every Sharjah developer page.
What to check on a Sharjah off-plan project
- That the project is in an area approved for ownership by all nationalities, and what exactly you will own.
- That the SPA is on the SRERD-approved form and names the fee split.
- Where your payments go. Ask the developer for the project account details and the payment schedule tied to construction.
- The developer's delivery record on earlier phases of the same community.
How Tarek helps Sharjah buyers
Tarek sells new launches from Sharjah developers alongside Dubai and Abu Dhabi projects, so you can compare them side by side on total cost, ownership type and exit options. Some buyers who work in Dubai also look at Sharjah; he will set out the trade-offs on cost, ownership and resale plainly.
Master developers in Sharjah
- Majid Al FuttaimMaster developer · Tilal Al Ghaf, Al Zahia
- Eagle HillsMaster developer · Ramhan Island, Maryam Island
- AradaMaster developer · Aljada, Masaar, Jumeirah Golf Estates
- Sharjah HoldingMaster developer · Al Zahia
- ShurooqMaster developer · Al Rahmaniya, Khor Fakkan
- Tilal PropertiesMaster developer · Tilal City
- Ajmal MakanMaster developer · Sharjah Waterfront City, Al Hamriyah
Frequently asked questions
Can foreigners buy property in Sharjah?
Yes, in approved areas. Sharjah Law No. 2 of 2022 and a Sharjah Executive Council decision of November 2022 allow all nationalities to own real estate of all kinds, without a time limit, in approved real estate development areas and projects. Outside those, ownership is generally limited to UAE and GCC nationals. Confirm each project's ownership type with SRERD.
What is the property registration fee in Sharjah?
Executive Council Resolution No. 34 of 2018, as summarised by Lexology, sets the fee at 4% of the purchase price paid by the buyer when the buyer is not a UAE or GCC national. UAE and GCC buyers pay 2%, with 1% from the seller. Sharjah has offered temporary reductions at exhibitions, so confirm the current fee with SRERD.
Is Sharjah cheaper than Dubai for off-plan?
It depends on the community and the unit, and we do not publish price comparisons we cannot verify. Note that the registration fee for foreign buyers is 4% in both emirates. Compare the total cost, the ownership type you will hold and how easily you could rent or resell, then decide on the specific project.
What is SRERD?
SRERD is the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department, the government body that registers property ownership, sales and mortgages in the Emirate of Sharjah. It registers sale contracts for new projects and issues title documents. For off-plan purchases, check that the sale contract is on the form SRERD has approved.
Get a shortlist for Sharjah off-plan
Tell Tarek your budget, timeline and whether you want to live in the home, rent it out or apply for a Golden Visa. He will send matching launches and ready alternatives with the full cost of each, and check registration and escrow with you before you pay.
Sources
- Law No. 2 of 2022 amending Law No. 5 of 2010 on Real Estate Registration in the Emirate of Sharjah, Sharjah Official Gazette. Checked 30 September 2026.
- SEC issues decision allowing all nationalities to own real estate (1 Nov 2022), Sharjah Executive Council. Checked 30 September 2026.
- Real Estate Development in the Emirate of Sharjah (summary of Executive Council Resolution No. 34 of 2018), Lexology. Checked 30 September 2026.
- SEC approves reduction of buying and selling fees at SREE 2024, Sharjah Executive Council. Checked 30 September 2026.