What is off-plan property?
An off-plan property is bought from a developer before it is completed, often before construction starts. You reserve a unit from the plans, pay in instalments while the building is constructed, and pay the balance on or after handover.
Buyers choose off-plan for lower entry prices than ready property, staged payments, new specifications, and the chance to pick the best units early.
Who can buy in Dubai?
Anyone over 18, resident or not, can buy freehold property in Dubai's designated freehold areas, which include most districts where new projects are built, such as Business Bay, Downtown, Dubai Marina, Dubailand and Dubai Maritime City. You do not need a UAE visa to buy.
Step-by-step buying process
1. Shortlist. Compare projects by location, developer track record, unit type, price and payment plan.
2. Reserve. Pay the booking amount set by the developer to hold your unit, usually with a reservation form and a copy of your passport.
3. Sign the Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA). It sets out the unit, price, payment schedule, specifications and expected completion date.
4. Register with the Dubai Land Department. Off-plan purchases are recorded on the interim register, known as Oqood, which protects your ownership before completion.
5. Pay instalments. Payments go into the project's escrow account in line with the payment plan.
6. Handover. On completion you pay the balance, inspect the unit, receive the keys and the title deed.
Costs to budget for
Dubai Land Department fee: 4% of the purchase price, normally paid at registration.
Registration and administration fees: fixed charges set by the Dubai Land Department and the developer.
Service charges: an annual charge per square foot after handover, covering building maintenance and common areas, approved through the Dubai Land Department.
Utility connections and furnishing: one-off costs at handover.
Dubai currently has no annual property tax and no capital gains tax for individual owners. Tax rules can change, so check your personal position in your home country.
How payment plans work
Most plans combine a down payment of around 10% to 20% on booking, instalments during construction linked to dates or construction milestones, and a balance on handover. Post-handover plans spread part of the price over months or years after completion.
Compare plans by the total paid before handover, not only the down payment, and check what happens if handover is earlier or later than expected.
How your money is protected
Dubai's off-plan rules require developers to register projects and collect buyer payments into an escrow account linked to the project, under Dubai Law No. 8 of 2007. Funds are released to the developer against certified construction progress.
Always pay into the escrow account named in your SPA, never into a personal or broker account.
Selling before completion
Many developers allow you to resell an off-plan unit before handover once a set percentage of the price has been paid, subject to a no-objection certificate and transfer fees. The threshold and fees vary by developer and are set out in the SPA.
Financing and mortgages
Off-plan instalments are usually paid in cash. UAE banks lend on completed property, and some offer finance close to completion or at handover, with loan-to-value limits set by the UAE Central Bank that are lower for non-residents and higher-value properties. Get a mortgage pre-approval before relying on finance for the handover balance.
Property and the UAE Golden Visa
Owning property worth at least AED 2 million can make you eligible for a 10-year UAE Golden Visa, subject to the rules in force when you apply. Off-plan purchases can qualify in some cases, depending on the developer and the amount paid, so confirm eligibility before you buy.
Buying from abroad
You can complete the entire purchase remotely: reservation and SPA can be signed digitally, payments made by international transfer to the escrow account, and registration handled with your authorisation. A power of attorney can be used for handover if you cannot travel.
How to choose the right project
Check the developer's delivery record, the project's location and access, the realistic completion date, the total cost including service charges, and demand for rentals or resale in that area. Ask for the floor plan, view and floor of the exact unit rather than the typical layout.
Glossary
This guide is general information, current as of October 2026, and is not legal or financial advice. Fees and regulations change; your advisor will confirm the details for any specific project.
