The First Freehold Property Ownership Program in Dubai

If you have been living in the UAE and paying rent for years without owning a home in Dubai, the First-Time Home Buyer Programme is designed specifically for you. It was launched by the Dubai Land Department in partnership with the Department of Economy and Tourism on July 2, 2025. It grants residents of all nationalities priority access to new projects, preferential prices, and better mortgage terms, provided that the property value is less than 5 million AED.

By June 2026, more than 3,200 residents had purchased their first home through the program, with transaction values exceeding 5 billion AED, and nearly 45,000 people registered.

This guide explains who is eligible, what the program actually offers, how to register, and what it does not cover.

What is the First-Time Home Buyer Programme?

A free government program managed by the Dubai Land Department (DLD). It brings together eligible buyers and participating real estate developers, numbering over 20, as well as five local banks. The aim is to facilitate residents’ transition from renting to ownership, as part of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and the Real Estate Sector Strategy 2033. Since the program specifically focuses on freehold ownership, its geographic scope is the freehold areas in Dubai where foreigners are allowed to buy.

How it works in brief: Register via the DLD website or the “Dubai REST” app, and the department checks your eligibility. If you are eligible, you receive a confirmation message with a program-specific QR code, which you use to access benefits from participating developers and banks.

First-time buyer conditions in Dubai: Who can register?

Frequently asked cases:

• Own a property in another emirate (Sharjah or Ajman, for example)? You can register, as the condition applies only to freehold in Dubai.

• Own a property in Dubai not under freehold? You can also register.

• Want to buy jointly? Joint purchase is allowed provided all partners are eligible for the program.

• Sold a property you bought through the program? You cannot participate again. The “first-time buyer” status is used only once and is lost as soon as the purchase is registered, even if you sell the property later.

Can non-resident foreigners benefit from the program?

No. Residency in the UAE is a basic requirement, and the program is for residents only. This does not close the door to non-residents, as buying property in Dubai for non-residents is available in freehold areas, but without program benefits. The available financing ratios also differ for them, which becomes clear when comparing the conditions of mortgage for foreigners in Dubai between residents and non-residents.

Advantages of the First-Time Home Buyer Programme

The benefits are divided into two sections: advantages for off-plan properties offered by participating developers, and advantages for ready properties offered by participating banks.

1. Off-plan property advantages (through developers)

• Priority access and reservation: Participating developers contact eligible registrants before launching their projects, giving you the chance to reserve before the public release.

• Preferential prices: Discounts on unit prices with selected developers. Azizi Developments, for example, announced a 6% discount on the base price for eligible beneficiaries in its residential projects in Dubai.

• Flexible payment plans: Convenient payment plans with developers. The value of this advantage increases when you choose the right location, so the best areas in Dubai to buy off-plan property determine where first-time buyers get the highest value for their payment plan.

2. Ready property advantages (through banks)

The program is not limited to off-plan properties. Those who buy from ready properties for sale in Dubai receive from participating banks:

• Competitive interest rates on mortgages

• Preferential fees

• Faster approval procedures

Participating banks: Emirates NBD, Emirates Islamic, Dubai Islamic Bank, Commercial Bank of Dubai, Mashreq Bank.

3. Installment of Land Department fees

Eligible buyers can pay DLD registration fees in installments via approved credit cards, within interest-free installment programs. This does not reduce the fees themselves, but eases the liquidity pressure at the time of purchase, which is one of the biggest obstacles for first-time buyers.

Note for citizens: The program offers additional benefits to Emirati citizens, with details announced by the department and participating entities.

Developers participating in the program

The official DLD list includes more than 20 developers, the most prominent of which are:

Practical note: You can contact more than one developer and bank to compare offers, but the program benefits can only be used with one participating developer and one participating bank. Therefore, careful comparison is worthwhile before committing, and the steps in comparing two real estate projects in Dubai before buying. can help.

How to register for the First-Time Home Buyer Programme step by step

1. Access the service: Via the DLD website or the “Dubai REST” app, and log in with UAE PASS.

2. Select the “First-Time Home Buyer” service: and start the application.

3. Submit your details: Emirates ID and passport information, along with your property preferences.

4. Receive the QR code: If you are eligible, you will receive a confirmation email containing the program code. If not, the department will inform you of the reason, and you can reapply once your situation changes.

5. Use the code with the developer or bank: to access preferential prices or financing offers.

Code validity: The QR code remains valid until you buy the property and register it with the department. If you have not found the right property yet, your registration remains active and you continue to receive notifications of new projects.

How much cash do you need to buy your first home through the program?

The program does not eliminate the basic costs of purchase, but it reduces or allows you to pay some in installments. Here is an approximate breakdown for a ready apartment worth 1.5 million AED bought by a resident with a mortgage:

The additional items paid above the price are detailed in the hidden costs of buying property in Dubai. To accurately calculate the liquidity required according to property type and value, see the guide to down payment for buying property in Dubai.

Important note about the 5 million limit: The program ceiling is linked to UAE Central Bank rules. A foreign resident can get financing up to 80% for a first home worth 5 million AED or less, and the percentage drops above this limit. Therefore, the program’s scope is best suited for buyers relying on bank financing.

What does the program not cover?

To set realistic expectations before registering:

• It does not exempt you from Land Department fees: The usual fees remain due, and the program only allows you to pay them in installments. These fees are distributed across specific items detailed in Land Department fees in Dubai when buying property.

• Does not guarantee mortgage approval: The bank’s decision remains subject to the debt-to-income ratio and its credit policies.

• Does not include any property on the market: Off-plan benefits are limited to participating developers’ projects, and ready property benefits come through participating banks.

• Not suitable for investors who already own a freehold property in Dubai: It is strictly for first-time ownership.

Does the property purchased through the program grant you residency?

The program itself targets existing residents, but the property you buy may open a separate residency path from work sponsorship, depending on its value and the conditions of the relevant authorities. A property worth 2 million AED or more may qualify for the Golden Visa, and the boundaries of each path are clarified in the comparison of regular real estate residency and Golden Visa in Dubai.

Projects from participating developers on Imtilak Dubai

The Imtilak platform features projects from several participating developers, including ready and off-plan properties:

The eligibility of each unit for program benefits is determined directly by the developer, and the Imtilak Dubai team verifies this with you before booking.

For those seeking broader options within the program’s scope, properties available for sale in Dubai range from studios to family apartments in freehold areas.

Investor Guide: Frequently Asked Questions about the First-Time Home Buyer Programme

Can foreigners register for the First-Time Home Buyer Programme in Dubai?

Yes, if they are residents in the UAE. The program is open to all nationalities, provided they are residents, aged 18 or older, do not own a residential property under freehold in Dubai, and the desired property value is less than 5 million AED. Non-residents are not eligible to register.

Does the program include ready or only off-plan properties?

It includes both. Off-plan properties get preferential prices and flexible payment plans with participating developers. Ready properties get competitive interest rates and faster approval with participating banks.

Do I need a mortgage to benefit from the program?

No. You can buy in cash and benefit from developer advantages, and financing is an additional option with preferential terms for those who need it.

Is registration for the program paid?

No, registration is free. However, the usual Land Department fees and bank or developer fees remain due, and Land Department fees can be paid in installments without interest via approved credit cards.

Can I use the program more than once?

No. The “first-time buyer” status can only be used once and is lost as soon as the purchase is registered, even if you sell the property later.

Own your first home in Dubai with Imtilak Global

Registering for the program alone is not enough to make the right purchase decision. Choosing the right developer, project, and bank is what determines the actual value you get, especially since the benefits can only be used with one developer and one bank.

The Imtilak Global Dubai team supports you at every stage:

• Checking your eligibility for the program before starting

• Recommending projects within your budget from participating developers

• Comparing preferential offers between developers and financing options

• Following up on booking and registration until you receive your title deed

Contact us now and get a free consultation to choose your first home in Dubai.