Ever since Dubai opened up its real estate market to freehold property purchase in the early 2000s, the city has seen an influx of demand from every corner of the globe. Through the ups and downs of global market cycles over the past two decades, Dubai’s growth has been truly remarkable. In 2023, it was named the busiest luxury real estate market in the world and it has maintained that status as it continues to be a safe haven for first-time home buyers and investors in the face of geopolitical and economic uncertainties.
While there has long been scepticism about the sustainability of Dubai’s real estate growth, it has continued to defy the odds. So far in 2025, Dubai has recorded a 20% rise in transaction values and 36% in volume year-on-year. Buyer confidence in the market has only grown stronger, which has resulted in higher demand across all sectors. The percentage increase in rental values are also hitting double digits, leading many tenants to transition into the buying space.
With such a steep increase in first-time home buyers in the emirate, the Dubai Land Department has announced the launch of a brand new initiative aimed at easing the buying process for both Emiratis and expats.
Introducing the First-Time Home Buyer Program
Launched on 2 July 2025, the First-Time Home Buyer Program makes it easier to secure a property for Emirati citizens and UAE expats, whether they are seeking to build an investment portfolio or to purchase their first home in Dubai. Through this initiative, the Dubai Land Department (DLD) is partnering with prominent developers and a select group of local banking partners to provide buyers with a range of benefits.
Key features of the program include priority access to new off-plan project launches, preferential pricing and flexible payment plans, including competitive mortgage rates when purchasing secondary properties. Buyers can also pay the DLD registration fee through interest-free installments.
The program specifically focuses on properties that have a value of AED 5 million ($1.36 million) or below, making it an ideal option for anyone that wants to jump on the property ladder. This includes tenants who have been considering the switching to ownership, as well as buyers who are brand new to the market, and especially Emirati home seekers.
Why Introduce This Program?
Dubai saw an unprecedented property boom in the wake of the Covid pandemic, and one whose scale even the most seasoned experts were unable to anticipate. Foreign investors increasingly turned towards this burgeoning market and reaped significant dividends over a very short period. As a result, Dubai-based buyers found greater difficulty in getting a foothold on the property ladder. New off-plan projects continue to routinely sell out at launch and secondary prices currently stand at approximately 60% above where they were in 2022.
Areas such as Dubai Hills Estate, Jumeirah Golf Estates and Damac Hills, once dotted with mid-range properties, moved into a higher price bracket over time, effectively shutting many local buyers out. Foreign investors, most of whom were cash buyers, swooped in to fill that void and further perpetuated the upward pricing spiral.
The core objective of the program is to provide UAE citizens and residents an edge in their property search and to grant them better access to both new and current properties at lower price points. It is also designed to encourage more tenants to make the jump from renting to property ownership.
Who is Eligible?
The eligibility criteria for the First-Time Home Buyer Program is quite straightforward. It is open to both Emirati nationals and expats who are at least 18 years of age. UAE residency is a requirement - foreign investors will not be able to avail of this program.
Eligible participants must also not own any freehold property in Dubai. Thus investors who may have purchased homes in other emirates due to lower pricing will still be able to join the program and expand their portfolios into Dubai.
The last, and perhaps most significant, criteria is that the program is only for those seeking properties below AED 5 million. With increased activity in the super prime sector, many buyers in the mid-range segment might not be aware of the options available to them. This helps to address that problem and to widen the local buying pool.
Which Developers Are Involved?
DLD has partnered with 13 notable developers and 5 local banks for this initiative. Participating developers are Emaar, Nakheel, Meraas, Dubai Properties, Ellington, Damac, Azizi, Majid Al Futtaim, Binghatti, Palma Developments, Wasl, Danube, and Beyond Developments.
Participating banks are Emirates NBD, Emirates Islamic Bank, Dubai Islamic Bank, Commercial Bank of Dubai, and Mashreq Bank.
Not only will this give residents access to a greater range of properties, it is also likely to influence the way future developments are planned out in order to attract more first-time buyers.
How to Participate in the First-Time Home Buyer Program
Interested buyers can register for the program through the DLD website or through Dubai REST, the emirate’s official real estate app. Eligibility will be determined based on the information submitted. Buyer who meet all of the eligibility criteria (listed in the previous section) will receive a confirmation email with a scannable QR code.
The QR code will provide access to all of the benefits from participating developers and banks, including available properties and financing options. The code has no expiry date and will be valid until a property has been purchased. It’s important to note that buyers who acquire a property through the program will not be able to register again for any subsequent purchases.
Dubai is one of the world’s most investor-friendly markets thanks to the far-reaching vision of its government. As buyer interest has surged, new initiatives have been launched to streamline the buying process - long-term visas, lower investment thresholds, and VAT exemptions on residential property purchases are a few notable examples. The launch of the First-Time Homebuyer Program is a boon for buyers who see the city as a place to call home and will be a significant step for tenants, who will enjoy a smoother journey on the road to home ownership.
