Off-Plan Property in Dubai

Both routes are common in Dubai, and the right one depends on your budget, timeline and goals. Here is how a ready (completed) home compares with an off-plan purchase.

You reserve a unit with a booking deposit, commonly 10 to 20 percent of the price, sign the Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) with the developer, and pay the rest in instalments while the building goes up. Every payment goes into the project's escrow account, and the Dubai Land Department records your purchase on its interim register through Oqood. The Oqood certificate is your proof of ownership until the building is finished and the title deed is issued in your name.

Dubai Law No. 8 of 2007 requires every off-plan project to have its own escrow account with an accredited bank, overseen by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) and the Dubai Land Department. The developer can draw on the money only as construction milestones are verified, so your instalments stay with your building and cannot be used for another project.

This framework is one of the main reasons international buyers are comfortable buying from plans in Dubai. Before you pay, confirm that the payment details in your SPA match the project's registered escrow account, and pay only into that account.

Plans differ by developer and project, and they are often the deciding factor between two similar launches. A common shape is a 10 to 20 percent booking payment, instalments tied to construction progress, and the balance on completion. Plans are often described by the split before and at handover, such as 60/40, 70/30 or 80/20.

More developers now offer post handover plans, where you keep paying for one to five years after you receive the keys. These lower the cash you need at completion and can let rental income cover part of the remaining instalments. Compare plans on the total you pay and when, not only on the size of the first payment.

Off-plan makes up a large share of sales in Dubai's growing communities. The figures below show off-plan apartment sales out of all apartment sales, and the median apartment price, in the 12 months to 25 September 2026, from Dubai Land Department data analysed by EQT.

When the building is complete, the developer invites you to inspect the unit. Use this snagging visit to list any defects for the developer to fix, then pay the final balance and the first service charges. The Oqood registration converts into a full title deed at the Dubai Land Department, and you can move in, rent the home out or arrange a mortgage on the finished unit. New homes also come with the developer's defects liability for structural and fit out items.

You can also sell before handover. This is called an assignment: the developer issues a No Objection Certificate, most often once 30 to 40 percent of the price has been paid, and the DLD records the new buyer on the Oqood register. The 4 percent DLD fee applies to the transfer and is usually paid by the buyer, along with a developer admin fee. Your SPA sets the exact rules, so read it before you plan an early exit.

The best off-plan purchases come from a well chosen developer, a fair price and a payment plan that fits your cash flow. These checks complement our step by step guide to buying off-plan.