Cheapest Emirates to Register a Tenancy Contract in the UAE
The cheapest emirates to register a tenancy contract are Fujairah, where new Ejaar registration is generally free, and Abu Dhabi, where Tawtheeq is a low flat charge of around AED 50 a year. The most expensive tend to be Sharjah and Ajman, where attestation is a percentage of the annual rent, so the cost rises with your rent. Dubai sits in the middle with a flat Ejari fee.
Registration cost by emirate
Registration is charged in two different ways across the UAE. Some emirates use a flat fee that does not change with your rent, while others charge a percentage of the annual rent, which gets expensive on a high-value lease. Here is how they compare.
| Emirate | System | How it is charged |
|---|---|---|
| Fujairah | Ejaar | New registration generally free; transfer around AED 105 |
| Abu Dhabi | Tawtheeq | Low flat annual charge, commonly around AED 50 |
| Dubai | Ejari | Flat fee of roughly AED 220 including the service charge |
| Umm Al Quwain | Smart UAQ | Around two to three percent of annual rent |
| Ras Al Khaimah | RAK Municipality | AED 25 plus five percent of the contract value |
| Ajman | Tasdeeq | Two percent residential, five percent commercial |
| Sharjah | Attestation | Four percent of annual rent |
Flat fee or percentage: why it matters
On a modest rent, a percentage looks small. On a high rent it adds up fast. A four percent attestation on a Sharjah villa at a high annual rent costs far more than Dubai’s flat Ejari fee for the same value. If your rent is high, a flat-fee emirate is cheaper to register in. If your rent is low, the percentage emirates can work out fine.
What the fee does not include
Registration is only one cost. Every emirate also charges a separate utility deposit and activation through DEWA, ADDC, SEWA or the local provider. Budget for that on top, plus any agent commission and your security deposit.
Check the exact cost for your emirate
Use our free tools to estimate before you sign. The Ejari Fee Calculator covers Dubai, and the RAK Fee Calculator covers Ras Al Khaimah. For the full picture by emirate, see the guides for Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain.
Frequently asked questions
Which emirate is cheapest to register a tenancy?
Fujairah, where new Ejaar registration is generally free, followed by Abu Dhabi with a low flat annual Tawtheeq charge.
Why is Sharjah more expensive?
Sharjah charges a percentage of the annual rent, four percent, so the cost rises with your rent rather than staying flat.
Does Dubai charge a percentage?
No. Dubai Ejari is a flat fee regardless of rent, which makes it cheaper than the percentage emirates on a high-value lease.
Government fees are set by each authority and can change. Confirm the current amount through the official channel before you register.