UAE residents planning to buy their first property in Dubai may qualify for special prices, easier payment options, mortgage offers, and early access to new homes through the Dubai First-Time Home Buyer Programme.
The programme is open to residents of any nationality, making it relevant to expatriates, including Filipinos who are considering putting down long-term roots in Dubai.
Dubai Land Department (DLD) said more than 3,200 residents had already bought their first homes through the programme by June 2026, with transactions worth more than AED 5 billion.
Who can join the programme?
According to DLD, you must meet four main conditions.
You must be 18 years old or older and currently live in the UAE.
You must also not currently own a freehold residential property in Dubai.
The home you plan to buy must be worth less than AED 5 million.
Owning a property in another emirate does not automatically disqualify you.
You may also qualify if you own property in a non-freehold area, as long as you do not own a freehold residential property in Dubai.
What benefits can first-time buyers receive?
Eligible buyers can receive priority access to new property launches from participating developers.
Selected developers may also offer preferential prices and flexible payment plans for off-plan properties.
Another benefit is the option to pay certain DLD registration fees through eligible credit cards using interest-free instalment plans.
Participating banks may offer better mortgage interest rates, preferential fees, and faster approval processes.
A mortgage is not required to join the programme.
Buyers looking at ready properties may also benefit from financing offers available through participating banks.
How to register
Residents can register through the Dubai Land Department website or Dubai REST app.
After submitting the required information, DLD will check whether the applicant meets the conditions.
Eligible applicants receive a confirmation email containing a First-Time Home Buyer QR code.
This QR code can then be presented to participating developers and banks to access programme offers.
There is no additional fee to register or participate, although normal DLD registration fees and developer or bank charges may still apply.
Which banks and developers participate?
Partner banks currently listed by DLD include Commercial Bank of Dubai, Dubai Islamic Bank, Emirates NBD, Emirates Islamic, and Mashreq.
The programme also includes major developers such as Emaar, DAMAC, Nakheel, Dubai Properties, Meraas, Danube, Binghatti, Azizi, Majid Al Futtaim, and several others.
Offers can differ between participating companies, so residents should compare available prices, payment terms, mortgage costs, and other charges before committing to a property.
What first-time buyers should know
Registration does not mean you are required to buy immediately.
Your registration remains valid while you continue looking for a suitable property.
However, once you purchase and register a property through the programme, you will no longer qualify as a first-time buyer, even if you later sell that property.
Residents interested in the programme can check their eligibility and register through the official Dubai Land Department website.
