In early July 2025, Dubai unveiled a transformative initiative designed to make property ownership significantly more accessible for first-time purchasers, whether expatriates or Emiratis. Launched jointly by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) on 2 July 2025, the programme heralds a new era in Dubai’s real estate landscape.
What the Programme Offers
The First-Time Home Buyer Programme extends a suite of benefits specifically tailored to those who have never owned freehold residential property in Dubai:
· Priority access to newly launched off-plan units by participating developers
· Preferential pricing on properties valued up to AED 5 million
· Tailored mortgage solutions, including favourable interest rates and reduced fees from participating banks
· Flexible payment plans for Dubai Land Department registration fees, including interest-free instalments via eligible credit cards
This implies that a buyer can now access premier developments at better rates and with reduced upfront cost burdens.
Who is Eligible?
Eligibility has been broadened significantly:
· Open to all UAE residents aged 18 and above, regardless of nationality
· Applicants must never have owned a freehold residential property in Dubai
· Property value must not exceed AED 5 million
· There is no minimum income requirement; approval is reliant on bank underwriting
Why It Matters
This initiative is aligned with Dubai’s Real Estate Strategy 2033 and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, aiming to raise home-ownership rates and double the real estate sector’s contribution to GDP. It promotes social inclusion, long-term investment, and community resilience by easing access to property ownership for salaried workers, young professionals, and long-term residents.
Moreover, banking experts and property developers observe that while this scheme does not directly lower property prices, it mitigates upfront financial pressure via reduced fees, enhanced financing terms, and early access to new launches, thereby transforming the path to ownership.
How to Apply
Applicants can register via the Dubai Land Department website or the Dubai REST app. Upon approval, each participant receives a QR code denoting first‑time buyer status. This code grants access to programme benefits with partner developers and banks.
The Broader Market Context
Dubai’s property market remained robust in early 2025, boasting transaction volumes up by over 35% in February, reflecting growing investor confidence and rising demand, especially in both off‑plan and ready segments. In parallel, developers such as Emaar, Nakheel, Azizi, DAMAC, Meraas, Binghatti, Danube, Ellington, and others have signed up to support the scheme via enhanced commercial offerings.
Why This Scheme Is Poised to Make a Difference
- Democratizes home ownership: By lowering financial barriers to entry, it enables a broader spectrum of residents to buy their first home in Dubai.
- Promotes financial empowerment: With interest‑free registration fee instalments and competitive mortgage options, first-time buyers gain greater financial leeway.
- Encourages end-user demand over speculation: By focusing on genuine buyers rather than purely speculative investment, market stability and sustainability are enhanced.
- Enhances early access and choice: Priority booking from leading developers gives registered buyers a competitive edge in securing desirable units at launch prices.
In Summary
Dubai’s First‑Time Home Buyer Programme, launched on 2 July 2025, represents a bold and gracious gesture: combining priority access, pricing incentives, flexible payment structures, and preferential financing to empower first‑time buyers. Tailored to UAE residents aged 18 and over, it opens the door to property ownership of homes priced up to AED 5 million, with additional benefits courtesy of over a dozen developers and major banking institutions.
This strategic initiative not only realises individual home‑ownership dreams, it also reinforces Dubai’s ambition to build a more inclusive, vibrant and resilient real estate ecosystem.
