Dubai's Bold First-Time Homebuyer Initiative Revitalizes Real Estate Market
Dubai Land Department (DLD) has launched a groundbreaking programme for first-time homebuyers, aiming to boost homeownership and attract younger generations back to the real estate market.
Firsttime HomebuyersReal EstateDubaiEconomic GrowthHome OwnershipReal EstateSep 15, 2025
Badar Rashid Alblooshi, Chairman of Arabian Gulf Properties, hailed the initiative as a strategic milestone in the evolution of the market: “This programme comes at a time when the concept of ownership is being redefined. Younger generations—especially digital natives—have been increasingly drawn to fluid, high-risk assets like cryptocurrency and equities, leaving traditional real estate sidelined. What DLD has done is reframe real estate as not just a stable asset, but an accessible and aspirational one.”
By removing financial and procedural barriers, Dubai is making it easier for first-time buyers to see property not as a distant dream, but as a practical step toward financial security and rootedness. We believe this is a turning point that will attract a new wave of buyers and energize the entire market, added Alblooshi.
The programme offers a wide suite of benefits for eligible UAE residents aged 18 and above who have never owned property in Dubai. These include preferential pricing from top developers, flexible mortgage options from leading banks, and fee relief through instalment plans on DLD registration. Properties priced under AED 5 million qualify.
Dubai’s initiative places the emirate alongside a select group of countries that have recognized the economic and social value of empowering first-time homebuyers:
• Canada exempts first-time buyers from property transfer taxes in many provinces and offers savings incentives on new homes.
• Finland Supports first-time buyers aged 18–35 with subsidized mortgage schemes.
• The Netherlands exempts young buyers (aged 18–35) from real estate transfer taxes and offers significant mortgage-interest deductions.
• Australia provides one-off grants and stamp duty exemptions via the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG).
• Ireland co-invests in shared equity with first-time buyers to ease deposit burdens.
• United States (selected states) offer homestead exemptions and targeted relief on property taxes for new homeowners.
Dubai is entering this space with a solution that is not only globally competitive but locally relevant, Alblooshi added. It reflects a clear understanding of today’s economic realities and generational priorities. Just as global cities have rethought the affordability equation, Dubai is doing the same—while retaining its hallmark investor appeal.
Aligned with the broader Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) and the Real Estate Strategy 2033, the initiative is also expected to enhance long-term market stability by shifting the dynamic into end-user ownership.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for Dubai's first-time homebuyer programme?
Eligible UAE residents aged 18 and above who have never owned property in Dubai are eligible for the programme.
What are the benefits of the programme?
The programme offers preferential pricing from top developers, flexible mortgage options from leading banks, and fee relief through instalment plans on DLD registration.
What is the price range for properties under the programme?
Properties priced under AED 5 million qualify for the programme.
How does this initiative compare to other countries' first-time homebuyer programmes?
Dubai's initiative is globally competitive and locally relevant, offering benefits similar to those in countries like Canada, Finland, the Netherlands, Australia, Ireland, and the United States.
What is the broader impact of this programme on Dubai's real estate market?
The initiative is expected to enhance long-term market stability by shifting the dynamic into end-user ownership, aligned with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) and the Real Estate Strategy 2033.
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