Neighbourhood guide
DIFC
Dubai’s financial centre, with its own courts, laws and property register.
Photograph: tampatra, Envato
The Dubai International Financial Centre is a financial free zone with its own English-language common law courts and its own property register, the DIFC Registrar of Real Property. In 2025 it counted 8,844 active companies and a workforce of 50,200.
- Property register
- DIFC Registrar of Real Property
- Courts
- English-language common law, Dubai Law No. 12 of 2004
- Companies
- 8,844 active (2025)
- Workforce
- 50,200 (2025)
Landmarks and lifestyle
Around DIFC
One landmark inside the centre and two beside it.
The Gate and Gate Avenue
The centre’s emblem building, where Gate Avenue begins: a covered walkway of 230 retail units linking DIFC’s districts.
Photograph: collab_media, Envato
Emirates Towers
The twin towers stand beside the Gate building on Sheikh Zayed Road.
Photograph: Jackardsiffant, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
Downtown Dubai
The Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai, close by along Sheikh Zayed Road.
Photograph: David Rodrigo, UnsplashAvailable properties
Interested in DIFC?
We have no listings in DIFC at present. Tell us what you are looking for and our team will discuss your requirements and the opportunities that may suit them.
Speak to our teamThe Redwood perspective
City apartments under DIFC law
Character
Residential towers within a working financial district, close to offices, galleries, restaurants and the courts.
Who it may suit
Professionals who work in the centre, and buyers who want a city apartment under DIFC’s own property law.
Ownership
DIFC property is registered with the DIFC Registrar of Real Property under DIFC Real Property Law No. 10 of 2018, not with the Dubai Land Department, so title checks and transfers follow DIFC procedures.
Trade-offs
Established towers such as Index Tower, Burj Daman and Liberty House do not appear in Dubai Land Department sales records, which show 123 sales under DIFC in the last 12 months, all off-plan at Akala Residences. Ask for DIFC Registrar records before relying on any price comparison. Service charges vary by building and are published in the RERA Service Charge Index on the Dubai Land Department website.
Enquire
Considering DIFC?
Tell us what you are looking for, whether to live, to hold or to sell. Our team will reply to discuss your requirements.
Speak to our teamPrivate consultation
