Dubai has launched a new initiative aimed at easing the path to homeownership for first-time buyers, both Emiratis and expatriates, in a major push to expand property access and strengthen the local real estate sector.
Announced on July 2, the First-Time Home Buyer Programme is a joint effort by the Dubai Land Department and the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). It promises benefits such as early access to off-plan residential launches, preferential pricing on properties valued up to AED 5 million, and custom mortgage options.
Major developers across the city—including Emaar, Nakheel, DAMAC, Danube, Azizi, Meraas, and Binghatti—have pledged support by offering priority units and improved payment terms. Leading UAE banks such as Emirates NBD, Dubai Islamic Bank, and Mashreq are also onboard to provide tailored loan packages for eligible applicants.
Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of DET, emphasized the initiative’s broader economic significance. “This initiative represents a powerful economic lever—stimulating long-term demand, driving liquidity into the real estate ecosystem, and accelerating the sector’s contribution to GDP in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33,” he said.
He added that by reducing barriers to ownership, the program not only supports local community building but also boosts Dubai’s global appeal. “In a global climate where housing accessibility is a structural challenge, Dubai is offering a model of sustainable urban development—one that supports talent retention, fosters community cohesion, and enhances the city’s competitiveness.”
The initiative is open to UAE residents aged 18 and above who currently do not own a freehold property in Dubai, regardless of nationality or income level. It also forms part of the UAE’s Year of Community campaign, designed to strengthen social ties across the country.
Interested residents can apply online through the program’s registration portal.
