The guide
Off-plan property in the UAE
Off-plan property is a home bought from the developer before it is finished, paid for in stages as it is built. We list 1,116 off-plan projects from 294 developers in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah, 8 new launches among them. Starting prices run from AED 450K to AED 185M, with a median of AED 1.35M.
The three emirates side by side
| Emirate | Projects | From | Registration | Median paid before handover | Regulator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | 999 | AED 450K | 4% | 60% | Dubai Land Department (DLD) |
| Abu Dhabi | 59 | AED 530K | 2% | 50% | Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC) |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 58 | AED 530K | Confirm with RAK Municipality | 60% | RAK Municipality and RAK RERA |
From our catalog of developers' published projects, as of Nov 1, 2026. Each emirate's guide has its rules, communities and projects: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah.
How off-plan works
- Choose. Compare projects by price, payment plan, handover date and location, and ask for the unit's current price in writing.
- Reserve. A booking payment holds the unit while the sale agreement is prepared.
- Sign and register. The sale is registered with the emirate's land authority, which charges a registration fee.
- Pay as it is built. Installments go into the project's escrow account and are released to the developer as construction progresses.
- Take handover. Pay what is due, inspect the home, get the keys and the title.
Step by step, with what to prepare: the buying process.
Payment plans
A plan is written as shares of the price, such as 20 / 40 / 40: booking, during construction, on handover. Of the 1,116 projects we list, 1,062 have a published plan; the median plan asks for 60% before handover, and 175 projects let part of the price be paid after handover. The most common plans are 20 / 40 / 40, 10 / 40 / 50 and 10 / 50 / 40. The best plan for most buyers asks for the least before handover: see those first, or try the payment plan calculator.
How your payments are protected
In every emirate, off-plan payments go into an escrow account opened for the project and supervised by the regulator, and are released to the developer as the building goes up. Pay only into the escrow account named in your sale agreement, and ask for the project's registration with the regulator before you pay.
Before you pay
- The project is registered. Ask for the project's registration with the emirate's land authority and its escrow account number, and pay only into that account.
- The developer's record. Look at what the developer has already handed over, and how close to the promised dates. Each developer page here lists its projects and handover years.
- The handover clause. The sale agreement sets the expected completion date and what happens if it slips. Read that clause before you sign, and ask us if it is unclear.
- Selling before handover. Whether and when you can resell before completion is set by the developer, often only after a minimum share has been paid. It is in your sale agreement.
- The full cost. Add the registration fee and the developer's and authority's admin fees to the price. The purchase cost calculator works it out.
Off-plan or ready?
Off-plan spreads the price over the build and gets you a brand-new home, but you wait for it and handover dates can move. A ready home can be lived in or let at once, at prices and rents you can check against registered deals: for Dubai, see a community's rental yield and prices paid. Neither is right for everyone, and nothing here is financial advice.
Where most projects are
All locations- Jumeirah Village CircleDubai · 92 projects
- Dubai IslandsDubai · 81 projects
- Dubai Land Residence ComplexDubai · 46 projects
- Business BayDubai · 39 projects
- Dubai SouthDubai · 39 projects
- Al Marjan IslandRas Al Khaimah · 35 projects
- DubailandDubai · 32 projects
- Dubai Hills EstateDubai · 25 projects
- Jumeirah Village TriangleDubai · 25 projects
- Mohammed Bin Rashid CityDubai · 24 projects
- Al JaddafDubai · 23 projects
- Palm JumeirahDubai · 23 projects
Questions about off-plan
What does off-plan property mean?
A home you buy from the developer before it is built or finished, usually paid in stages as construction goes on, with the keys at handover.
Is buying off-plan in the UAE safe?
Each emirate requires off-plan payments to go into a regulated escrow account for the project, released to the developer as it is built. Risks remain, such as a later handover than planned, so check the project's registration, the developer's record and the sale agreement before you pay.
Why do buyers choose off-plan?
Payments spread over the build instead of one sum, a new home with a developer's warranty, and a choice of new launches. A price is not a promise of future value, and nothing here is financial advice.
Off-plan or ready property?
Off-plan spreads the cost and gets you a new home later; ready property can be lived in or rented out now, with prices and rents you can see. Many buyers compare both.
How much do I need to start?
It depends on the plan. Across the 1,062 projects with a published plan here, the median booking payment is 10% and the median paid before handover is 60%. Registration fees are extra.
Can foreigners buy off-plan in the UAE?
Yes, in each emirate's designated freehold areas, which include most new communities in Dubai, Abu Dhabi's investment zones and Ras Al Khaimah's freehold areas.
Rules at the source: Dubai Land Department, DARI, UAE Golden Visa guide.