You’ve found an apartment in Dubai. You’ve made arrangements with the developer or agent, signed the reservation contract—and now the most important question arises: how to transfer the money correctly ? Buying property in the Emirates is a serious step, and the sums involved are often considerable, so it’s important to do everything safely, quickly, and with minimal currency exchange losses.
While regular transfers involve hundreds or thousands of dollars, these amounts are entirely different: tens or even hundreds of thousands. And the approach to the transfer must be different.
Why is real estate translation special?
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Large amounts. A bank or service provider may become wary if the amount is too large and request documents.
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Strict deadlines. Developers in Dubai often require payment by specific dates, otherwise the reservation or discount may be lost.
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Currency conversion. It’s important to understand the exchange rate for converting rubles to dirhams in advance, as even a small difference can add up to thousands of dollars when used with large amounts.
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Transaction security. It’s important that the money reaches the developer or your UAE bank account, and isn’t lost in the process.
Main options
Bank transfer
The most obvious method, but also the longest. You can send money directly to the Emirates via SWIFT, but banks in Russia almost always require an explanation of the origin of the funds. The exchange rate and commission also eat into the amount. This option is suitable if you have everything completely legal and are pressed for time.
Exchange services
In practice, many Dubai property buyers choose this option. The process is simple: in Russia, you pay rubles; in the UAE, you receive dirhams—either in cash or deposited into an account. The advantage is that the exchange rate can be fixed in advance, and the money will arrive on time for payment as per the contract.
Havala
An ancient, but still effective systеm. In Russia, you hand over rubles to an intermediary (hawaladar), and in Dubai, their partner gives you dirhams. The sums can be large, and everything is resolved in just a few hours. For many investors, this is a convenient option because it eliminates unnecessary bureaucracy and delays.
Table to table
The ideal solution for those who want absolute synchronicity. You simultaneously transfer rubles in Russia and receive dirhams in Dubai. No waiting—everything happens here and now. This format is especially popular with those buying a home and wanting to avoid the risk of transferring large sums.
Step-by-step scenario
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Agree on the amount. You know exactly how much you need to transfer under the contract with the developer.
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Fix the rate. Agree with the service or intermediary on a specific ruble/dirham exchange rate.
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Decide on the format. This could be a bank transfer, hawala, or direct deposit, depending on the amount and timing.
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Transfer rubles. Make payments using a convenient payment method in Russia.
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Receive dirhams. In Dubai, you or your representative receive the money and make a payment on the property.
A practical example
One buyer decided to purchase an apartment in the Dubai Marina area. The amount was approximately 500,000 dirhams. Bank transfers would have taken at least a week, and the exchange rate was unfavorable.
Ultimately, he used the “table for table” service: he transferred rubles in Moscow, and a couple of hours later, he received dirhams in Dubai and made the payment to the developer. The transaction was completed on time, and the buyer saved a few percent on the exchange rate difference.
Result
Transferring money to buy property in Dubai isn’t just “sending money abroad.” It’s part of a serious transaction where timing, accuracy, and security are crucial. The key is to plan every step in advance, from fixing the exchange rate to receiving the dirhams. This way, buying property in Dubai won’t be stressful, but rather a pleasant step on the path to your new life in the Emirates.
