Dubai is making it easier than ever for first-time home buyers.
Launching on 2 July 2025, a new First-Time Home Buyer Programme led by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) is set to empower the next generation of first-time home buyers.
The Programme is a collaborative effort involving Dubai’s top developers, banks, and brokers, which will support long-term residents secure their first property in 2025, subsequently kickstarting an increase in home ownership rates across the city.
A New Era for First-Time Home Buyers in Dubai
For many, buying a house for the first time in Dubai has felt out of reach due to rising rents, high deposits, and limited access to affordable mortgage options. This new home buyer assistance scheme seeks to change that.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify, applicants must:
- Be a UAE resident (national or expat)
- Be 18 years or older
- Be purchasing a home below AED 5 million
- Not currently owning a freehold residential property in Dubai
If you tick those boxes, you’re eligible to register with DLD through the Dubai REST app or the DLD website.
Benefits for First-Time Home Buyers
Perks for first-time home buyers include:
- Priority access to new unit launches from 13 top participating developers
- Preferential pricing on eligible units from select developers
- Flexible, affordable payment plans tailored to first-time buyers
- Interest-free instalment options for DLD through participating banks’ credit cards
- Reduced mortgage interest rates and processing fees from 5 leading banks
These benefits for first-time home buyers are designed to make the home-buying process more accessible and affordable.
Developers and Banks Backing the Programme
Thirteen of the UAE’s biggest property developers have signed on as partners, including Azizi, Beyond Developments, Binghatti, DAMAC, Danube Properties, Dubai Properties, Ellington Properties, Emaar, Majid Al Futtaim, Meraas, Nakheel, Palma Development, and Wasl.
Major banks participating include Commercial Bank of Dubai, Dubai Islamic Bank, Emirates Islamic, Emirates NBD, and Mashreq, offering financial solutions tailored to first-time home buying
Why Now?
Dubai’s population reached 3.95 million in June 2025, up from 3.84 million in January. In 2024 alone, over 220,000 new residents relocated to the city. This rising population underscores the need for more inclusive home ownership pathways.
The Programme also aligns with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which seeks to revitalise communities such as Deira, Bur Dubai, Downtown, Business Bay, Dubai Marina and JBR, while expanding affordable housing, promoting sustainable development, and increasing green spaces to enhance overall well-being and liveability across the city’s property landscape.
First-Time Home Buyer Guide: What You Need to Know
If you’re considering buying a house for the first time, here are a few things to know as a first-time home buyer:
- Start with a realistic budget
- Explore mortgage options early
- Factor in upfront and long-term costs
- Use a first-time home buyer checklist to stay on track
- Work with a licensed broker who understands the Programme and can offer you the best tips for first-time home buyers
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the best way to buy a house for the first time, but this Programme provides a structured route forward.
Turning Renters into Owners
Historically, many expats came to the UAE for a few years to save, then returned home to purchase property, as owning a home here may have been an unachievable dream.
Today, more people are staying long term and now, with the launch of the Programme, those dreams have the potential to become a reality. Residents taking their first steps on the property ladder in the city will now be able to call Dubai “home” in every sense of the word.
From exclusive launch access and payment flexibility to mortgage advantages and residency pathways, the advantages for first-time home buyers have never been clearer.
Whether you’re starting your search or actively looking, this is the best time to buy a home for the first time in Dubai.
FAQs
The First-Time Home Buyer Programme is set to launch on July 2, 2025.
Yes, once applicants have purchased a property, they will no longer be eligible for the First-Time Home Buyer Programme.
To qualify for the initiative, you must meet the following criteria:
– Applicants must be over the age of 18
– Applicants must be a UAE resident (expat or national)
– Applicants must be looking for a property under AED 5 million in value
– Applicants must not currently own any freehold residential property in Dubai
Participating banks are as follows:
– Commercial Bank of Dubai
– Dubai Islamic Bank
– Emirates Islamic
– Emirates NBD
– Mashreq
– Validation of eligibility using the Emirates ID
– Registration through the Dubai REST app or the DLD website.
– Securely generate QR codes that developers and banks can use to validate eligibility
– Participating brokers guide first-time home buyers through the buying journey, including mortgage facilitation and retaining full ownership of customer leads; therefore, details are not shared with developers
