Buying off-plan property in Dubai: payment plans, steps and new projects
Off-plan means buying from the developer before the building is finished and paying in stages. This guide explains how payment plans work, the purchase steps, how your money is protected and what budgets buy today — using 1,076 Dubai off-plan projects still sold by their developers in our data (3 November 2026).
What off-plan means
You sign a sale and purchase agreement (SPA) with the developer for a unit that is still being built, pay a deposit and then instalments tied to dates or construction milestones, and receive the unit at handover. The advantages are staged payments and the choice of units at launch; the trade-offs are that handover dates, final market value and resale conditions are not guaranteed. Off-plan vs ready property →
Payment plans and deposits
A plan such as 10/70/20 is commonly read as a 10% down payment, 70% during construction and 20% on handover — but the split and timing are defined only by each project’s official schedule. In our data, 404 projects (38%) published a down payment of 10% or less, 359 published 20%, and 251 did not publish one. The most common published plans were 20/40/40, 10/40/50, 10/50/40, 20/30/50, 20/50/30, 10/70/20. Some projects offer post-handover instalments; this is not universal and not always published. Browse low-deposit payment-plan projects →
Step by step
- Shortlist and compare price, payment schedule, handover date and developer track record across several projects.
- Check the project officially: registration, status and the escrow account named in the contract.
- Reserve with the booking amount stated in the sales offer and receive the SPA.
- Register the contract with the Dubai Land Department (the Oqood register) and keep the certificate.
- Pay instalments into escrow only, and keep every receipt.
- Handover: inspect the unit (snagging), settle the final payment and receive the title deed.
How payments are protected
Under Dubai Law No. 8 of 2007, buyer payments for off-plan projects must go into the escrow account registered for that project and are released against construction progress. Before each payment, match the escrow account name and number with your contract and the official project record. Escrow guide →
What budgets buy
Median starting price across the 1,076 projects: AED 1,300,000.
| Starting price | Projects | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Under AED 1 million | 407 | 38% |
| AED 1–2 million | 323 | 30% |
| AED 2–5 million | 225 | 21% |
| Over AED 5 million | 121 | 11% |
Listed handover years
| Year | Projects |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 23 |
| 2025 | 55 |
| 2026 | 135 |
| 2027 | 315 |
| 2028 | 275 |
| 2029 | 179 |
| 2030 | 65 |
| 2031 | 5 |
Source: developer data listed on Property Finder, 3 November 2026. Starting prices are the lowest advertised unit; confirm current prices.
Where the projects are
| Area | Projects on sale | Median starting price |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai Islands | 98 | AED 2,094,235 |
| Dubai South (Dubai World Central) | 85 | AED 825,000 |
| Jumeirah Village Circle | 82 | AED 739,768 |
| Dubai Land Residence Complex | 52 | AED 658,000 |
| Business Bay | 33 | AED 2,400,000 |
| Majan | 31 | AED 1,100,000 |
| International City Phase 2 (Al Warsan 4) | 29 | AED 542,518 |
| Dubai Investment Park (DIP) | 28 | AED 1,373,000 |
Latest launches and announcements
Recent launches reported by named, dated sources (not confirmation of prices or availability):
- Sawa Residences — Qube Development · Meydan Horizon, MBR City, Dubai
Launch reported 3 November 2026 · pricing not stated · Source: TradeArabia · report dated 3 November 2026 - Christian A. Rockefeller Business Tower — LMD · Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai
Office tower unveiled 22 October 2026 · pricing not disclosed · Source: Arabian Business · report dated 22 October 2026 - Four Seasons Private Residences DIFC — Bright Start · H&H · DIFC, Dubai
52 branded residences announced 27 October 2026 · confirm terms · Source: TradeArabia · report dated 27 October 2026 - Lawncrest — Zimaya Properties · Dubai Production City
183-unit launch reported 27 October 2026 · confirm availability · Source: TradeArabia · report dated 27 October 2026 - SAMANA COLLECTA · The World Islands — SAMANA · The World Islands, Dubai
Premium brand launch reported 19 October 2026 · confirm terms · Source: Khaleej Times · report dated 19 October 2026 - Berkeley Tower — Ellington & Al Hamra · Business Bay
Commercial project announced 20 October 2026 · confirm unit terms · Source: Ellington Properties & Al Hamra Group · official announcement, 20 October 2026
Checklist before you pay
- Official payment schedule and the full sales offer in writing.
- Escrow account name and number match the contract.
- Developer’s completed projects and delivery record.
- Resale/assignment terms in the SPA (some developers require a minimum share to be paid first).
- Service charges and what happens if handover is delayed.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy off-plan property in Dubai with a small deposit?
Yes, some projects publish down payments of 5–10%: 404 of the 1,076 projects on sale in our data (3 November 2026). The rest of the price follows the project’s payment schedule.
What does a 10/70/20 payment plan mean?
It is usually read as 10% down, 70% during construction and 20% on handover. The exact split and dates are set by the project’s official payment schedule.
Is my money safe when buying off-plan in Dubai?
Payments must go to the project’s registered escrow account under Dubai Law No. 8 of 2007. Check the account against your contract before each payment; escrow does not guarantee handover dates or returns.
Can foreigners buy off-plan property in Dubai?
Yes, foreign buyers can buy in designated freehold areas, where most new projects are launched.
Where can I see the newest Dubai projects?
The new projects page lists recent launches with their dated sources, and the off-plan hub lists projects by budget and area.
Get a shortlist that fits your budget
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