DLD launched the programme along with more than 13 developers, five banks and strategic partners

Dubai announced a new initiative on Wednesday to make it easier for residents to purchase their first home, offering exclusive benefits.

Aimed at encouraging home ownership and boosting investment in real estate, the programme is open to UAE residents who are first-time property buyers. The programme offers eligible buyers priority access to new launches, preferential pricing and attractive mortgage solutions.

Jointly by the Dubai Land Department and the Department of Economy and Tourism, the programme was launched along with more than 13 developers, five banks and strategic partners. This reflects Dubai’s vision, promoting residents to own their first home, which will improve their quality of life, and is in line with the D33 strategy.

Majid Al Marri, CEO of the Real Estate Registration Sector at Dubai Land Department, said 10,000 new investors are coming to Dubai every month. “We hope to increase these numbers through this programme.”

Khalid Al Shaibani, director of Rental Affairs Department at Dubai Land Department, said this is a pioneer programme and strategic and social initiatives enabling people to own their first time based on fair criteria, clear conditions and easy options in a safe way.

He said the programme is open to every resident of the UAE above 18 years who has a valid Emirates ID and has not owned a home before. They can own an apartment for less than Dh5 million. He said there are no restrictions on leasing or selling the unit.

“In terms of benefits, people who register through the DLD website and the Dubai REST app will have access to new projects listed by developers, and preferential prices for new units from developers. There will be a flexible payment plan, and you can pay the registration fee without any interest,” said Al Shaibani.

He added that the link is active for registration.

“People need to enter their preferences, whether they want to buy a villa or apartment, decide their budget and also how they want developers to contact them — through email or phone. All the details will go directly to the developer only. Upon registration, people will get a notification that their application has been accepted, and banks will also come to know about the interest,” he said.

He added that those people who don’t want to register can do so through brokers.

10,000 investors a month 

According to DLD, the private developer partners are Emaar, Danube Properties, Azizi, Wasl, Dubai Properties, Ellington, Beyond, Nakheel, Damac and Majid Al Futtaim. The banks include Emirates Islamic, Commercial Bank of Dubai and Emirates NBD. The property platform includes Dubizzle, Property Finder and Bayut.

Majid Al Marri added that the emirate attracts 10,000 new investors every month. “We hope to increase these numbers through this programme.”

He added that the target is to reach Dh1 trillion in property transactions as part of the Dubai Real Estate Sector Strategy 2033 to make the emirate a hub for real estate investment.

Hadi Badri, CEO of Dubai Economic Development Corporation, said this programme “ensures new generations can do the same with confidence, with opportunity and with something that they can all be proud of to call their own. To many residents who’ve dreamed of owning their home here in Dubai, their time is now.”

He said homeownership correlates with happiness. “It creates stability, builds roots and enhances quality of life. In Dubai, resident happiness is a priority. That’s why this initiative matters. The government creates the environment, and the private sector delivers with scale, speed and alignment. For generations, families of all nationalities have called Dubai their home. They have built their lives here. They have laid down roots that continue to grow across generations,” he said.

Mohamad Kaswani, Managing Director of Mortgage Finder, said the programme empowers residents to take their first step onto the property ladder.

“This is yet another testament to Dubai’s forward-looking leadership; the first-time homebuyer program is a powerful enabler of the city’s vision to grow the population to 5.8 million by 2040 and make Dubai the world’s best city to live in,” he said.

Source: Khaleej Time

Published: 3 July 2025