Lusail Real Estate: Freehold Apartments and Villas in Qatar

Lusail is a master-planned city about 15 km north of central Doha, with districts including Marina, Fox Hills, Qetaifan Island, Lusail Boulevard and the Waterfront. It has its own tram line and connects with the Doha Metro's Red Line. Lusail Stadium hosted the 2022 World Cup final. The city is still being built, so some areas feel quiet and others feel like construction sites.

Hamad International Airport is around 30 to 40 minutes away depending on traffic. Summers are extremely hot and humid, and life is air-conditioned. Entertainment includes the marina promenade, malls and Qetaifan Island's leisure complex.

For comparison, see the capital Doha and the surrounding municipalities of Al Wakra, Al Daayen, Al Khor, Umm Salal Mohammed and Al Shamal.

Non-Qataris can buy freehold property in designated zones, which include Lusail, The Pearl-Qatar and West Bay Lagoon, and can lease in others for up to 99 years. Purchasing property above a set threshold, around QAR 730,000, can support a residence permit, with a higher threshold linked to additional privileges; confirm current figures with the Ministry of Interior.

• Registration. Ownership is registered with the Ministry of Justice, and a registration fee of around 0.25% of the price applies, subject to caps.
• Developer escrow. Off-plan sales run through escrow accounts regulated by law.
• Service charges. Owners pay annual charges to the master community or building.
• Financing. Banks lend to residents, but non-residents have limited options.

See our Qatar consultation guide, financing guide and the Qatar overview.

Lusail's design favours pedestrians along the boulevards and marina, but most families still use cars. Schools are opening in the new districts, though places can be limited, so check admissions before moving. Building quality varies, and the master developer's standards, such as cooling, parking and facade maintenance, matter for resale. Many leases and sales include district cooling charges, which can be a significant monthly cost. Visit in both a summer and a winter month, ask owners about service charges, and confirm which parcels near your block are still to be built and how tall the neighbouring buildings will be.

A large pipeline of new buildings can limit price growth, and rents depend on corporate demand. Check community fees, parking and the quality of the building. Use the mortgage calculator to model financing.