Easier path to owning a home in Dubai: New scheme offers first-time buyers big discounts and flexible fees

TL;DR:

• Dubai Land Department (DLD) launched the First-Time Home Buyer Programme on 2 July 2025, offering priority access, flexible payment plans, and up to 10% discounts on properties up to AED 5 million.
  
  
• Residents aged 18+, Emiratis or expatriates with valid Emirates ID and no prior freehold ownership in Dubai are eligible.
  
  
• Since the launch, developers report up to 1,000 inquiries daily and registered interest from thousands of first-time buyers seeking homes under AED 1.5 million.
  
  
  

Designed jointly by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and the Department of Economy & Tourism ( DET ), the First-Time Home Buyer initiative aims to ease property ownership for UAE residents. As part of economic vision D33 and Real Estate Strategy 2033, it targets residents, both Emirati and expatriate, who haven’t previously owned freehold homes in Dubai and are over 18 with a valid Emirates ID. It applies to properties up to AED 5 million ($1.36 million), with no restrictions on resale or leasing.
Benefits include:

• Priority access to project launches
  
  
• Preferential pricing, including up to ~10% developer discounts on selected off-plan and ready units
  
  
• Flexible mortgage solutions via partner banks
  
  
• Zero-interest DLD registration fee, payable in instalments
  

Why so many buyers are signing up
Since the launch, developers such as Emaar, Damac, Danube, Nakheel, and Azizi reported 500–1,000 inquiries per day. Realtors say nearly 70% of interest is for homes priced below AED 1.5 million, with first-time buyers representing the bulk of inquiries, suggesting a notable shift toward owner‑occupiers, as per Khaleej Times.

The programme is well aligned with Dubai’s demographic boom, its population is nearing 4 million and expected to hit 5.8 million by 2040 and offers long-term residents a pathway from renting to ownership.

What makes the programme attractive

• Priority Access & Better Deals

Participants receive initial allocation to new launches before general release, often accompanied by preferential pricing and discounts. Developers are also offering flexible payment plans such as 0.5% monthly instalments or extended handover payment structures.

• Financing Flexibility with Zero-Interest Fees

Registrations fees (normally 4% of property value) can be paid interest-free through instalments. Partner banks, including Emirates NBD , Dubai Islamic, Mashreq , and CBD offer tailored mortgage packages with reduced processing fees and quicker approvals.

• No Ownership Legacy Required

Even expats who hold non-freehold or long-term rental properties in Dubai remain eligible, as long as they’ve never held freehold property ownership.

Market timing & strategic impact
Dubai’s real estate market remains dynamic, Q1 2025 recorded over 14,000 deals worth AED 44 billion, a steep rise from prior years. Meanwhile, residential prices have climbed over 60% since early 2022, driving affordability concerns. Analysts from CBRE and Knight Frank predict potential pricing softening through late 2025 and 2026, making now an opportune window for entry-level investment.

The programme plays directly into these trends: by lowering upfront barriers and providing better credit terms, it attracts locals and working residents eager to invest and settle long-term. Dubai Land Department official estimates suggest over 110,000 new real estate investors entered the market in 2024 and the programme aims to sustain or increase this momentum.

How to apply for the first‑time home buyer loan
1. Confirm Your Eligibility

• You must be a UAE resident (Emirati or expat) aged 18 or older, with valid Emirates ID and no prior freehold property ownership in Dubai.
  
  
• Log in via the DLD website or Dubai REST app to check if you meet the criteria.
  
  

2. Register on the Programme Portal

• Use the DLD portal or Dubai REST app to register. Input your personal details and property preference (type, budget, payment plan).
  
  
• If confirmed eligible, you’ll receive a Unique QR code via email or app. No registration fees are charged.
  
  
• This QR code serves as your pass to programme benefits.
  
  

3. Select a Property from Eligible Developers

• Use your QR code when engaging with one of the participating developers such as Emaar, Nakheel, Damac, Azizi, Binghatti, Beyond Developments, and others.
  
  
• Properties must be priced below AED 5 million and qualify for median-income buyers.
  
  

4. Reserve Your Home

• Fill out a reservation form and pay a deposit to secure your selected unit.
  
  
• The developer will verify your eligibility via your QR code.
  
  

5. Choose a Partner Bank and Submit Financing Documents

• Select one of the DLD-approved banks: Emirates NBD, Dubai Islamic, Emirates Islamic, Mashreq, or CBD.
  
  
• Submit your application with usual documents: salary certificate or business income, valid Emirates ID, passport, visa copy, and bank statements.
  
  

6. Mortgage Processing & Pre‑Approval

• The bank reviews your credit profile and issues pre-approval within 3–7 working days.
  
  
• Mortgage tenors may extend up to 18 years, with interest rates averaging around 4% for fixed-term periods. Banks may offer reduced processing fees under the programme.
  

Eligible properties include:

• Off-plan units with flexible mortgages and payment schedules
  
  
• Ready-to-move-in apartments, townhouses, and villas
  
  
• Relevant areas include Dubai Land Residential Complex (DLRC), Liwan, Silicon Oasis, Al Warsan , Marjan, JVC, Dubailand and central communities
  
  

You may choose based on your budget and lifestyle preference while staying under the AED 5 million programme limit.



Dubai’s First-Time Home Buyer Programme is more than a real estate incentive, it’s a cornerstone of policy to encourage long-term residency and community building. With low-cost financing, project access, pricing advantages, and inclusive eligibility, the programme is empowering end-users to become homeowners. For eligible residents who dream of property ownership under AED 5 million, the time to act is now.