BUYER & SELLER GUIDES
Golden Visa Through Property in Abu Dhabi: Requirements for 2026
You can get a 10-year UAE Golden Visa in Abu Dhabi by owning property worth at least AED 2,000,000, according to the Abu Dhabi Residents Office (ADRO). The visa covers your spouse and children, several Abu Dhabi properties can be combined to reach the threshold, and mortgaged or off-plan property can qualify under specific conditions. Residents apply through ADRO on TAMM.
Last reviewed by the ODZ Properties advisory team
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Owning Abu Dhabi property worth at least AED 2,000,000 qualifies for a 10-year UAE Golden Visa, according to ADRO.
- Several Abu Dhabi properties can be combined to reach the AED 2 million threshold.
- Mortgaged and off-plan property can qualify under conditions, including at least AED 2 million of the investor’s own equity or payments.
- The visa covers a spouse and children; residents apply through ADRO on TAMM.
AT A GLANCE
- Minimum property value
- AED 2,000,000 in total
- Visa duration
- 10 years (per ADRO)
- Family
- Spouse and children included
- Combining properties
- Allowed, within Abu Dhabi
- Mortgaged property
- Via UAE national banks; own equity of at least AED 2m
- Off-plan property
- Approved developer; at least AED 2m already paid
- Where to apply
- ADRO on TAMM (residents); ADIO (non-residents)
Can you get a Golden Visa by buying property in Abu Dhabi?
Yes. The Abu Dhabi Residents Office (ADRO) and the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) both describe a 10-year Golden Visa for real estate investors in Abu Dhabi, covering the investor’s spouse and children. The qualifying test is the value of property owned in the emirate, with a minimum of AED 2,000,000. One point of confusion: the federal u.ae Golden Visa page we checked in October 2026 shows “5 years (real estate investments)”. The Abu Dhabi pages state 10 years for property investors, and that is the figure we use here, attributed to ADRO. Aged 55 or over with property worth AED 1m to 2m? The 5-year retirement visa may fit instead.
Can you combine several properties to reach AED 2 million?
Yes. ADRO states that the property must be worth at least AED 2,000,000 in total, and that several properties in Abu Dhabi can be combined to reach that figure. This allows, for example, two apartments of AED 1,000,000 each to qualify together. Each property still needs to be documented, either through a DMT-registered purchase agreement or a Real Estate Unit Value Certificate. ADRO’s wording refers to properties in Abu Dhabi, so owners with property in more than one emirate should confirm with ADRO which holdings count before applying.
Does a mortgaged property qualify for the Golden Visa in Abu Dhabi?
It can. ADDED’s guidance allows mortgaged property financed through national (UAE) banks, for property worth more than AED 2,000,000. The investor’s own capital in the property must be at least AED 2,000,000, which means the outstanding loan cannot exceed the property value minus AED 2,000,000. On an AED 3,000,000 property, the loan could be no more than AED 1,000,000. Reports in 2026 have suggested that the federal authority relaxed the equity requirement, but those reports concern Dubai. The ADRO and ADDED pages we checked in October 2026 still state the equity rule, so plan on that basis and confirm with ADRO before you apply. Releasing equity later can take you below the AED 2m own-capital rule; see our refinancing guide.
Can off-plan property qualify for a Golden Visa?
Yes, with conditions. ADRO accepts off-plan property where the buyer holds a purchase agreement with an approved developer and can prove that at least AED 2,000,000 has already been paid to the developer. The test is the amount paid, not the contract price. That matters on payment plans. A buyer of an AED 3,000,000 off-plan villa who has paid 40% (AED 1,200,000) does not yet qualify; the application can be made once payments reach AED 2,000,000. Choosing a payment plan with that milestone in mind can bring the visa forward. Our payment plans guide shows when cumulative payments reach AED 2,000,000 under common plans.
What documents do you need, and where do you apply?
ADRO asks for a DMT-registered purchase agreement or a Real Estate Unit Value Certificate. For a mortgaged property, you also need a Search Certificate showing that the property is not subject to any judicial seizure. UAE residents apply through the Abu Dhabi Residents Office on TAMM, the Abu Dhabi government services portal. Non-residents can contact the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) at e.management@adio.gov.ae. On TAMM the service is a Golden Visa nomination: once Abu Dhabi approves it, the application is completed with the federal Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security authority (ICP). If the property will sit in a company, check our company ownership guide first.
| Requirement | Ready property, paid in full | Mortgaged property | Off-plan property |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum value | AED 2,000,000 in total (properties can be combined) | Property worth more than AED 2,000,000 | AED 2,000,000 already paid to the developer |
| Financing condition | None | Loan from a UAE national (approved local) bank; own equity of at least AED 2,000,000 | Purchase from an approved developer |
| Proof of value | DMT-registered purchase agreement or Real Estate Unit Value Certificate | Same, plus a Search Certificate showing no judicial seizure | Purchase agreement and proof of payments made |
| Health insurance | Required for the investor and family (ICP) | Required (ICP) | Required (ICP) |
| Visa length | 10 years (ADRO, ICP) | 10 years | 10 years |
| Family | Spouse and children | Spouse and children | Spouse and children |
| Where to apply | ADRO on TAMM (residents); ADIO (non-residents) | ADRO on TAMM; ADIO | ADRO on TAMM; ADIO |
How ODZ helps buyers who want a Golden Visa
The visa is a by-product of a property decision, and the property still has to make sense on its own. ODZ helps buyers who want residency select assets that meet the AED 2,000,000 threshold and also hold value, whether as a single property or a combination. We help structure purchases around the equity and payment rules, align off-plan payment plans with the AED 2,000,000 milestone, and coordinate the registered documents the application needs. The visa itself is issued by the authorities, and we point you to ADRO for the final word on eligibility.
Frequently asked questions
How much property do you need to buy for a Golden Visa in Abu Dhabi?
Property worth at least AED 2,000,000 in total. According to ADRO, several Abu Dhabi properties can be combined to reach the threshold. The visa lasts 10 years and covers the investor’s spouse and children. Mortgaged and off-plan properties can qualify, subject to the equity and amount-paid rules.
Is the Abu Dhabi property Golden Visa 5 or 10 years?
The Abu Dhabi Residents Office and ADDED pages state 10 years for real estate investors in Abu Dhabi. The federal u.ae page we checked in October 2026 shows 5 years for real estate investments. For property in Abu Dhabi, the emirate’s own pages say 10 years; confirm with ADRO when you apply.
Can I get a Golden Visa with a mortgage in Abu Dhabi?
Yes, if the mortgage is with a UAE national bank and your own capital in the property is at least AED 2,000,000. That means the loan cannot exceed the property value minus AED 2,000,000. You will also need a Search Certificate showing no judicial seizure. Check ADRO for any change before you apply.
Does off-plan property qualify for the Golden Visa in Abu Dhabi?
It does, if you have a purchase agreement with an approved developer and proof that at least AED 2,000,000 has already been paid to that developer. The contract price alone is not enough. On a payment plan, the application can be made once your cumulative payments reach AED 2,000,000.
Where do I apply for the property Golden Visa in Abu Dhabi?
UAE residents apply through the Abu Dhabi Residents Office (ADRO) on TAMM, the Abu Dhabi government services portal. Non-residents can contact the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) at e.management@adio.gov.ae. Have your DMT-registered purchase agreement or Real Estate Unit Value Certificate ready before you start.
Sources
- Abu Dhabi Residents Office — Golden Visa for investors
- ADDED — Visa for real estate investors
- u.ae — UAE Golden Visa
- ICP — UAE Golden Residency guide (real estate investors)
- TAMM — Golden Visa nomination service
General information, not legal or financial advice. Fees and rules change — confirm current requirements with ADREC or speak with an advisor before you commit.