Dubai’s first-home scheme has helped around 3,200 residents purchase properties, with 22 developers now participating in the programme, expanding opportunities for homebuyers across the city.
Dubai residents looking to buy their first home now have access to a wider selection of properties, following the expansion of the emirate’s First-Time Home Buyer Programme. The scheme has already enabled more than 3,200 residents to purchase homes since its launch in July 2025.
Residential transactions under the programme have exceeded Dh5 billion, according to the Dubai Land Department and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, reflecting strong demand from residents seeking to shift from renting to homeownership in one of the region’s most competitive property markets.
Nearly 45,000 people have registered for the programme in less than a year. The initiative is open to UAE residents aged 18 and above who do not currently own a freehold residential property in Dubai.
Nine developers have recently joined the programme, increasing the supply of eligible homes available to first-time buyers across a wider range of locations, price points, and property types.
The newly added developers include 4Direction Developments, Arada, Dubai World Trade Centre, IRTH Group, Manam, Qube Development, Reportage Properties, SAMANA Developers, and Sky View Real Estate.
Their inclusion brings the total number of participating developers to 22 since the programme began. Five banks are also supporting the initiative by offering home financing options to eligible residents.
The expansion gives buyers greater flexibility to compare projects, payment plans, and financing options, especially as rental costs continue to pressure many households in Dubai.
The programme is designed to give first-time buyers priority access to new launches and eligible inventory from participating developers. It also links residents with bank financing solutions, helping them evaluate affordability before making purchase decisions.
Residents who have not yet registered can apply through the Dubai Land Department’s website or the Dubai REST app. Existing participants can also update their preferences to include the newly added developers and access the expanded range of eligible properties.
The Dubai Land Department and Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism said the programme reflects Dubai’s goal of making homeownership more accessible and supporting a more end-user-driven property market.
They added that the First-Time Home Buyer Programme “embodies Dubai’s foundational belief that home ownership should be within reach of everyone who calls this city home.”
“The addition of nine new developers represents more than program expansion; it demonstrates Dubai’s commitment to ensuring that every resident has genuine choice as they take one of life’s most significant steps: becoming a homeowner.”
Binghatti Holding was recognised by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) for recording the highest number of units sold under the programme since its launch.
Dubai’s property market continues to attract strong interest from both investors and end users, although high upfront costs, rising prices, and mortgage affordability remain key challenges for first-time buyers. The programme aims to bridge this gap by bringing together government entities, developers, and banks on a unified platform.
The initiative is also aligned with Dubai’s broader economic and real estate goals, including the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and the Dubai Real Estate Strategy 2033, which aim to increase homeownership rates and boost the sector’s contribution to the emirate’s economy.
