---
title: "Buying your first home in Dubai: the First-Time Home Buyer Programme, costs and steps"
canonical: https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/guides/buying-your-first-home-in-dubai
markdown: https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/md/guides/buying-your-first-home-in-dubai.md
type: guide
description: "For UAE residents ready to stop renting: the Dubai Land Department's First-Time Home Buyer Programme, who qualifies, what it gives you, and the costs and timeline of a first purchase."
published: 2026-11-13
updated: 2026-11-13
sources: 17
publisher: "UAE Property Agents (Omnia)"
language: en-GB
usage: "You may read, quote, summarise and cite this content, including in AI answers, with attribution to UAE Property Agents and a link to the canonical URL. Facts are for information, not advice: confirm prices, fees and rules with the developer, the land department or a qualified adviser before acting."
---

# Buying your first home in Dubai: the First-Time Home Buyer Programme, costs and steps

> For UAE residents ready to stop renting: the Dubai Land Department's First-Time Home Buyer Programme, who qualifies, what it gives you, and the costs and timeline of a first purchase.

By Omnia's editorial team. Buying process. Published 13 November 2026, last reviewed 13 November 2026.

## The short version

- The Dubai Land Department's First-Time Home Buyer Programme, launched in July 2025, is open to UAE residents of any nationality aged 18 or over who own no freehold home in Dubai, for homes under AED 5 million.
- It gives priority access to new launches, preferential prices from participating developers, interest-free instalments for the 4% registration fee and better mortgage terms at five partner banks; it does not waive the fee.
- By June 2026 more than 3,200 residents had bought through it, with transactions above AED 5 billion and nearly 45,000 registrations, according to the DLD and Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism.
- An expatriate buying a first home for AED 1.2 million with an 80% mortgage needs about AED 334,000 in cash for the deposit and fees on a resale, or about AED 169,000 to reserve off-plan on a 10% booking.
- Benefits can be used with only one developer and one bank, and first-time status is lost once you buy through the programme, even if you later sell.

If you live in the UAE and rent in Dubai, the most direct help with a first purchase is the Dubai Land Department's **First-Time Home Buyer Programme**. It is open to residents of any nationality who own no freehold home in Dubai, for properties under AED 5 million, and gives you priority access to new launches, preferential developer prices and better mortgage terms from five banks. It does not change the rules or the 4% registration fee. This guide covers the programme as published on the DLD's site on 13 November 2026, then the money, steps and timeline of moving from renting to owning. It is general information, not financial or legal advice.

## What is the First-Time Home Buyer Programme?

The programme was launched in July 2025 by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Gulf News reported in June 2026 that it sits within the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) and the Dubai Real Estate Strategy 2033, with the stated aim that home ownership should be within reach of residents. Commentators quoted by The National at launch described it as a way to move existing residents from renting to owning.

### Who qualifies

| Condition | What the DLD says |
|---|---|
| Residence | A UAE resident, of any nationality |
| Age | 18 or older |
| Ownership | Must not currently own any freehold residential property in Dubai |
| Property value | Looking for a property valued below AED 5 million |

Points the DLD clarifies:

- Owning property in **another emirate**, or in a **non-freehold** location in Dubai, does not disqualify you.
- **Joint purchases** are allowed only if every buyer is eligible.
- There is **no salary condition** for the programme itself. The National noted at launch that banks decide on finance under their own credit rules.
- If you are found ineligible, the DLD tells you why, and you can reapply once you meet the criteria.

### What it gives you

According to the DLD's programme page:

- **Priority access** to units in new launches from participating developers, who contact registered buyers before each launch.
- **Preferential prices** and **flexible payment plans** on off-plan units from select developers.
- **The registration fee in instalments**: the 4% DLD fee can be paid interest-free through eligible credit cards.
- **Better mortgage terms**: improved interest rates, preferential fees and, for ready homes, faster approvals at the partner banks.
- **Additional benefits for Emirati citizens**, which the page mentions without listing.

What it does not do:

- **Waive the DLD fee.** The DLD says standard registration fees and developer or bank charges still apply unless a specific offer says otherwise.
- **Guarantee a discount.** Benefits differ by developer, bank and property. A "preferential price" is only worth something against the prices of comparable homes, so check recent sales in the building and the area before treating it as a saving.

### Developers and banks taking part

The DLD's page lists 21 developers: Azizi, Binghatti, Beyond, DAMAC, Danube, Dubai Properties, Ellington, Emaar, Majid Al Futtaim, Meraas, Nakheel, Palma Holding, Wasl, Sky View, Samana, Reportage, Qube, Manam, IRTH, Arada and 4Direction Developments. Gulf News reported 22 in June 2026, including Dubai World Trade Centre. Five banks take part: Commercial Bank of Dubai, Dubai Islamic Bank, Emirates Islamic, Emirates NBD and Mashreq.

You may approach any of them, but the DLD states that **benefits can be used with only one developer and one bank**. Compare offers before you commit to either.

Emirates NBD's published terms for its offer under the programme give an example of what a bank adds: up to 85% loan-to-value for UAE nationals and 80% for expatriates, a minimum salary of AED 10,000 for nationals and AED 15,000 for expatriates, no application fee, free partial settlement of up to 20% of the loan, and pricing from 3.99% linked to one-month EIBOR plus 1.99%.

### How to register

1. Register on the DLD website or in the **Dubai REST** app and submit the details requested, including your budget and preferences.
2. If eligible, you receive an email from the DLD with your **First-Time Home Buyer QR code**.
3. Show the code to participating developers and banks to use the benefits.

There is no fee to join. The code remains valid until you have bought and registered a property. If you do not find a home, your registration stays live and you keep receiving launch notices.

**One-time use.** Once you buy through the programme you lose first-time buyer status permanently, even if you later sell. Use it on the home you actually want.

### What has happened so far

| Date | Reported result | Source |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | More than 2,000 residents had bought in the first six months | WAM |
| June 2026 | More than 3,200 residents had bought; transactions above AED 5 billion; nearly 45,000 registrations; nine more developers added, 22 in total | DLD and DET, via Gulf News and WAM |

Gulf News reported that Binghatti had sold the most units under the programme. At launch, The National reported that Binghatti would allocate at least 10% of its new and existing units under AED 5 million to first-time buyers.

## How much do you need to buy your first home?

The Central Bank caps the mortgage on a first home worth AED 5 million or less at **80% of its value for expatriates and 85% for UAE nationals**. Fees are paid in cash. Our guide to [mortgages for UAE residents](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/guides/uae-mortgages-for-residents) covers salary, debt and rate rules in full.

Cash needed on an AED 1.2 million home, expatriate buyer:

| | Completed home, through an agent, 80% mortgage | Off-plan, 10% booking |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit or booking | AED 240,000 | AED 120,000 |
| DLD fee, 4% | AED 48,000 | AED 48,000 |
| Registration, title and trustee fees | AED 4,780 | AED 1,020 now, AED 540 at completion |
| Agent, 2% + VAT | AED 25,200 | Usually none: the developer pays |
| Mortgage registration, arrangement and valuation | AED 15,900 | At handover, if you borrow then |
| **Cash at the start** | **AED 333,880** | **AED 169,020** |

The off-plan column is not cheaper: it spreads the price. The remaining 90% is paid in instalments to the project's escrow account during construction and at handover, often while you are still paying rent. See [off-plan payment plans explained](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/guides/off-plan-payment-plans-explained).

Two smaller costs to budget for on moving in: a refundable DEWA deposit of AED 2,000 for an apartment or AED 4,000 for a villa, and any service charge payable from the date you take ownership. See [service charges in Dubai](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/guides/service-charges-in-dubai).

Our [mortgage affordability calculator](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/tools/mortgage-affordability-calculator) works out what your income supports. The [purchase cost calculator](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/tools/purchase-cost-calculator) itemises the fees on a given price.

## From renting to owning: the steps and timeline

### 1. Decide whether buying suits you now

Buying in Dubai carries roughly 7% in costs on a resale, so it makes most sense if you expect to stay several years. Our [renting vs buying guide](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/guides/renting-vs-buying-in-dubai) works through the numbers, including the price growth a buyer needs to come out ahead over three, five and ten years.

### 2. Get a mortgage pre-approval

Before you view seriously, get an approval in principle. It tells you the price range the bank will support and is normally valid for 60 to 90 days. If you have registered for the programme, ask the partner banks for their programme terms and compare them with at least one bank outside it.

### 3. Register for the programme

Even if you plan to buy a resale home, registration costs nothing and keeps the developer and bank benefits open.

### 4. Choose where and what

Most first-time buyers weigh three things: commute, schools and budget. Our [commute finder](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/tools/commute-finder) compares drive times from each community to where you work, and our [family communities guide](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/guides/family-communities-in-dubai) sets published prices, rents and drive times side by side.

### 5. Choose ready or off-plan

| | Ready (completed) home | Off-plan |
|---|---|---|
| Move in | Weeks after agreeing a price | Two to four years after booking, if the project is on time |
| Mortgage | Available now at the first-home cap | Usually only at handover |
| What you can inspect | The actual home, building and service charges | A plan, a show home and the developer's record |
| Programme benefit | Mortgage terms at partner banks | Priority access, preferential prices, flexible plans, mortgage terms |
| Rent while you wait | None once you move in | Usually continues until handover |

Our guides to [buying a ready home](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/guides/buying-a-ready-home-in-dubai) and [off-plan vs ready property](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/guides/off-plan-vs-ready-property) cover each route.

### 6. Agree the purchase

**Ready home.** You, the seller and the brokers sign the standard RERA sale contract, [Form F](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/glossary/mou-form-f), and you lodge a deposit cheque, typically 10% of the price. The seller obtains the developer's no-objection certificate; your bank values the property and issues its offer.

**Off-plan.** You pay the booking amount and the 4% DLD fee, sign the sale and purchase agreement, and the developer registers the sale on the DLD's interim register, Oqood. Pay only into the project escrow account named in the contract. See [buying off-plan in the UAE](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/guides/buying-off-plan-in-the-uae).

### 7. Transfer or handover

A ready purchase completes at a DLD registration trustee office, where the title deed is issued in your name the same day. Property Finder's November 2026 guide puts a cash purchase at about four to six weeks from offer to transfer, and one with a new mortgage at about six to ten weeks.

### 8. Give notice on your rental

Your tenancy contract is separate from the purchase. Read its early termination terms before you set a move date and, where you can, time the transfer or handover to the end of the lease.

| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Saving and pre-approval | Your own timetable; pre-approval lasts 60 to 90 days |
| Search and offer | A few weeks |
| Offer to transfer, cash | About 4 to 6 weeks |
| Offer to transfer, with a mortgage | About 6 to 10 weeks |
| Off-plan booking to handover | Typically 2 to 4 years |

## Mistakes first-time buyers make

- **Spending the programme on the wrong home.** It can be used once, with one developer and one bank.
- **Treating a launch price as a discount.** Compare it with registered sales nearby. Dubai prices eased in parts of the market during 2026, so resale homes in the same community can be cheaper than a new launch.
- **Forgetting the cash for fees.** About 7% to 8% of the price on a resale with a mortgage, none of which the bank lends.
- **Stretching to the limit.** The 50% debt-burden ratio is a ceiling, not a target. Leave room for a rate rise; a fixed rate eventually reverts to EIBOR plus a margin.
- **Overlooking residency.** A completed home registered in your name can support a [two-year property investor visa](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/guides/dubai-property-investor-visa), and one worth AED 2 million or more a [Golden Visa](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/guides/uae-golden-visa-property), which matters if your employment visa is your only residence.

## How we help first-time buyers

We work across the whole market, not one developer's stock, and every recommendation comes with a full cost breakdown in dirhams. Our advisers are salaried, not paid on commission, so there is no reason for us to rush you. On off-plan purchases we are paid by the developer, as is standard in Dubai. If you would like a shortlist matched to your budget and commute, [contact us](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/contact).

## Calculator

Run your own numbers with the [mortgage affordability calculator](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/tools/mortgage-affordability-calculator).

## Questions and answers

### Who is eligible for Dubai's First-Time Home Buyer Programme?

The Dubai Land Department lists four conditions: you are a UAE resident of any nationality, you are 18 or older, you do not currently own any freehold residential property in Dubai, and you are looking for a property valued below AED 5 million. Owning property in another emirate, or in a non-freehold location, does not disqualify you. Joint purchases are allowed only if every buyer is eligible.

### What do first-time buyers get from the Dubai programme?

Priority access to units in new launches from participating developers, preferential prices and flexible payment plans on off-plan units from some of them, the option to pay the DLD registration fee in interest-free instalments on an eligible credit card, and better interest rates, preferential fees and faster approvals from the five partner banks. The DLD says Emirati citizens receive additional benefits. The exact offer depends on the developer, the bank and the property.

### Does the first-time buyer programme reduce the 4% DLD fee?

No. The DLD states that there is no fee to join, and that standard registration fees and any developer or bank charges still apply unless a specific programme offer says otherwise. What it offers on the fee is a way to spread it: interest-free instalments through eligible credit cards. A developer may separately offer to pay part of the fee as a sales incentive.

### How do I register as a first-time buyer in Dubai?

Register on the Dubai Land Department website or in the Dubai REST app and submit the information requested. If you are eligible, the DLD emails a confirmation with a First-Time Home Buyer QR code, which you show to participating developers and banks. The code stays valid until you buy and register a property, and developers contact registered buyers before each launch.

### Can I use the first-time buyer programme for a resale or ready home?

Partly. The developer benefits, priority access and preferential prices, apply to new launches and off-plan units from participating developers. For ready properties the DLD says the programme offers preferential interest rates and faster approvals through the participating banks, so a resident buying a completed home can still use the mortgage benefits.

### How much do I need to save to buy my first home in Dubai?

For a completed AED 1.2 million home bought through an agent with an 80% mortgage, about AED 334,000: a 20% deposit of AED 240,000 and roughly AED 94,000 in DLD, agent, trustee and mortgage fees. UAE nationals can borrow 85%, which lowers the deposit to AED 180,000. Off-plan needs less at the start, typically a 10% to 20% booking plus the 4% fee, but the rest falls due during construction and at handover.

### Can I buy a home in Dubai if I am renting on a one-year lease?

Yes. Owning and renting are separate contracts, so buying does not end your lease. Read your tenancy contract for its early termination terms before you fix a move date, and line up the transfer of a ready home or the handover of an off-plan one with the end of the lease where you can. Off-plan buyers usually pay rent and instalments at the same time for two or more years.

## Sources

Facts on this page were last checked against these sources on 13 November 2026.

- [Dubai Land Department: First Time Home Buyer programme overview (eligibility, benefits, partners, rules), viewed 13 November 2026](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/first-time-home-buyer-overview/)
- [Gulf News: Dubai's first-home scheme helps 3,200 residents buy, with 22 developers now on board (8 June 2026)](https://gulfnews.com/business/property/dubai-homebuyers-get-wider-choice-after-dh5-billion-first-home-sales-1.500567129)
- [WAM: Dubai's First-Time Home Buyer Programme enables over 3,200 residents to own homes (June 2026)](https://www.wam.ae/en/article/c0memj7-dubai's-first-time-home-buyer-programme-enables)
- [WAM: First-Time Home Buyer Programme helps over 2,000 residents in six months (January 2026)](https://www.wam.ae/en/article/171cd2q-dubai's-first-time-home-buyer-programme-helps-over)
- [The National: Dubai's new first-time home buyer scheme to benefit existing residents (3 July 2025)](https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/property/2025/07/03/dubai-property-first-time-buyers)
- [Enterprise: Dubai launches first-time home buyer scheme (3 July 2025)](https://enterpriseam.com/uae/2025/07/03/dubai-launches-first-time-home-buyer-scheme-with-priority-access-and-mortgage-perks/)
- [Emirates NBD: First-Time Home Buyers Program with the Dubai Land Department](https://www.emiratesnbd.com/en/campaigns/det-first-time-home-buyers-program)
- [Central Bank of the UAE Rulebook: Regulations regarding mortgage loans (loan-to-value limits)](https://rulebook.centralbank.ae/node/2856)
- [Dubai Land Department: Property Sale Registration (fees, documents, steps)](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/property-sale-registration/)
- [Dubai Land Department: Request to register the initial sale (off-plan, Oqood)](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/request-to-register-the-initial-sale/)
- [Dubai Land Department: Mortgage registration application (fees)](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/request-for-mortgage-registration/)
- [Property Finder: Buying and selling at the same time, transaction timelines (10 November 2026)](https://www.propertyfinder.ae/blog/buying-and-selling-at-the-same-time/)
- [Property Finder: Hidden costs of renting in Dubai (2 November 2026)](https://www.propertyfinder.ae/blog/look-out-for-the-6-hidden-costs-of-renting-in-dubai)
- [HSBC UAE: Home loan rates and fees (viewed 12 November 2026)](https://www.hsbc.ae/mortgages/rates/)
- [DEWA: Activation of electricity and water (move-in), security deposits, checked November 2026](https://dewa.gov.ae/en/consumer/supply-management/activation-of-electricity-water-move-in)
- [The National: Dubai home sales fall in Q3 (Cavendish Maxwell, S&P Global Ratings), 7 October 2026](https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/property/2026/10/07/dubai-home-sale-transactions-fall-in-third-quarter-due-to-regional-uncertainty/)
- [IMI Daily: Dubai removes minimum property value for two-year investor visa (April 2026)](https://www.imidaily.com/mena/dubai-removes-minimum-property-value-for-two-year-investor-visa/)

---

Source page: https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/guides/buying-your-first-home-in-dubai. Published by UAE Property Agents, Omnia Capital Group. You may read, quote, summarise and cite this content, including in AI answers, with attribution to UAE Property Agents and a link to the canonical URL. Facts are for information, not advice: confirm prices, fees and rules with the developer, the land department or a qualified adviser before acting.