On this page
- What is off-plan property in Dubai?
- Where the new off-plan projects in Dubai are launching
- Off-plan property Dubai rules: escrow, Oqood and RERA
- Ready vs off-plan: side by side
- How to check a project on Dubai REST before you pay
- Payment plans in brief
- The 2026 reality: risks to price in
- How I shortlist new off-plan projects in Dubai
New off-plan projects in Dubai let you buy a home from the developer before it is built, pay in stages while it goes up, and collect the keys at handover. The law protects that money through a project escrow account and an official registration called Oqood, but the protection only works if you check both. This guide shows you how, and how off-plan compares with buying a ready home.
The market has shifted. Off-plan made up 73% of Dubai residential sales in 2025, according to Cavendish Maxwell. In the first half of 2026, DLD data reported by Emirates 24|7 showed ready sales of AED 146.69bn against AED 139.75bn for off-plan. Buyers have become more selective since the regional conflict early this year, and that gives you room to negotiate on price and terms.
What is off-plan property in Dubai?
You sign a sale and purchase agreement (SPA) with a registered developer, pay a booking amount, then pay instalments tied to dates or construction milestones. In both published plans I quote below, the last slice is due on handover.
Why buyers choose off-plan property: Dubai developers ask for less cash upfront, you lock in today's price for a home delivered years later, and the choice runs from off-plan apartments for sale in Dubai to villas in master communities. Three things make it riskier: you collect no rent until handover, banks lend at most 50% of the value, and delivery dates can slip.
Where the new off-plan projects in Dubai are launching
The off-plan developments Dubai buyers compare most often include launches from the big master developers. Verified examples from 2025 and 2026:
- Emaar: 11 launches in the first half of 2026 across Emaar South, Dubai Hills Estate, The Heights Country Club, The Oasis, Rashid Yachts & Marina and Expo Living, with what Emaar called a "calibrated approach" given the regional environment. See my Emaar guide and the Emaar Beachfront page.
- DAMAC: 2025 launches included Riverside Views, Capri One, DAMAC District and DAMAC Islands 2, which the company says sold about AED 11bn in five hours. More on DAMAC Islands, DAMAC Lagoons and the wider DAMAC range.
- Aldar in Dubai: Haven and Athlon, built under an alliance with Dubai Holding. Athlon launched in May 2024 from AED 2.8m. For Abu Dhabi, see my Aldar projects page.
Off-plan villas in Dubai tend to sit inside master communities like these, while off-plan apartments for sale in Dubai launch all over the city. The latest off-plan projects in Dubai change week to week, so I keep what is genuinely available on my current projects list.
Off-plan property Dubai rules: escrow, Oqood and RERA
This section is for buyers in the UK, India and anywhere else who cannot visit the site every month. Before you pay a deposit on off-plan property, Dubai law is worth understanding: what it does and what it does not do.
1. Your payments go into a project escrow account
Under Dubai Law No. 8 of 2007, a developer must register with the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and open an escrow account for each project before selling off-plan. Buyer payments go into that account and can only fund that project. The law says the developer's creditors cannot attach those funds, and 5% is retained until one year after units are registered to buyers.
2. If a project stalls
Article 15 requires the escrow agent, after consulting the DLD, to take measures to protect depositors, either by ensuring completion or by refunding them. A developer can be struck off the register if it fails, without an acceptable reason, to start construction within six months of permission to sell. These rules reduce the risk. They do not remove it.
3. Oqood registers your purchase
The developer must register each sale in the DLD interim register (Oqood) within 90 days of the contract, and you receive the certificate by email. No Oqood after 90 days is a red flag. The DLD fee is 4% of the price, the same rate as a ready transfer.
4. RERA rules on who can sell and advertise
Brokers need a marketing contract with the developer and may not showcase a project without escrow registration. Every property advert needs a DLD permit (Trakheesi) with a Madmoun QR code, so ask to see it.
Buying from the UK or India
You do not need to live in the UAE to buy off-plan property. Dubai lets non-residents transact on a passport, the DLD introduced remote registration in 2020, and a power of attorney signed abroad works once it is notarised, attested and translated into Arabic. Buyers sending money from India should read my guide to buy property in Dubai from India. UK and other overseas buyers will find every step in my guide for foreigners. Your home country may tax rental income or gains, so take local advice too.
Ready vs off-plan: side by side
| Factor | Off-plan | Ready (resale) |
|---|---|---|
| How you pay | Staged plan, e.g. 10/70/20 or 20/55/25 | Full price at transfer, cash or mortgage |
| Mortgage limit | 50% loan to value for all buyers | Up to 80% for an expat's first home under AED 5m; 60% on a second home |
| DLD fee | 4% on Oqood registration | 4% at transfer |
| Rental income | None until handover | From the day you complete |
| Money protection | Project escrow account and Oqood | Title deed issued at the trustee office |
| Main risk | Late delivery, market moves before handover | More cash needed on day one |
If you need income immediately, ready usually wins. Families comparing off-plan villas in Dubai with ready ones should also weigh schools and finished amenities, which an established community already has. If you can wait and want to spread payments, new off-plan projects in Dubai work well, provided the developer and the project check out. Not sure which suits you? Book a consultation and I will run both scenarios on your budget.
How to check a project on Dubai REST before you pay
Before you commit to any of the new off-plan projects in Dubai, check it on Dubai REST, the official DLD app on the App Store and Google Play. For off-plan developments, Dubai REST shows real-time completion percentage, actual site photos, the escrow account number and payments due on units you own.
- Download the app and search the developer in its directory of certified developers.
- Open the project and note the completion percentage and latest photos. Compare them with the brochure timeline.
- Write down the escrow account number. The bank details on your payment instructions must match it.
- After you sign, ask the developer for your Oqood certificate. The sale must be registered within 90 days.
- Check your broker in the broker directory, and ask for the permit number on any advert.
- Save the project as a favourite and track each instalment as it falls due.
Payment plans in brief
Two published construction-linked plans show the range:
- Seascape by Emaar (Mina Rashid): 10% at booking, 70% during construction, 20% on handover, per its Property Finder project page.
- DAMAC Islands 2: 20% at booking, 55% during construction, 25% on handover. Launch prices for four-bedroom townhouses started from AED 2.7m, with handover in 2030 (Bayut, November 2025).
Some developers also let you keep paying after you receive the keys. Worked examples of those plans are on my payment plan guide. Plans on the latest off-plan projects in Dubai change often, so confirm current terms with me before you budget.
The 2026 reality: risks to price in
- Delivery: ValuStrat counted about 20,000 homes completed in the first half of 2026 against a full-year target above 129,000. Leave slack in your plans for a late handover.
- Supply: Savills tracks more than 525,000 units scheduled for 2027 to 2030, much of it in off-plan developments. Dubai tenants and resale buyers will have more choice as they complete.
- Prices: ValuStrat put Q2 2026 prices 4% lower than the previous quarter and about 10% below late February. That makes this a buyer's window for new off-plan projects in Dubai, not a reason to rush.
- Exit: read the SPA for any conditions on reselling before handover, and ask the developer to confirm them in writing.
How I shortlist new off-plan projects in Dubai
- Developer record: handovers delivered, and a listing among certified developers on Dubai REST.
- Escrow and Oqood: both confirmed before any money moves.
- Cash flow: the plan, plus the 4% DLD fee, matched to your income month by month.
- Location and supply: how many similar off-plan properties in Dubai will hand over nearby at the same time.
- Exit plan: rent, resell or live in it, decided before you sign.
Want a shortlist of off-plan properties in Dubai that fits your budget and timeline? Book a consultation or message me on WhatsApp, and I will send options with the escrow details already checked.
Frequently asked questions
Are new off-plan projects in Dubai safe for overseas buyers?
They are regulated, not risk free. Your payments must go into a project escrow account that only funds that building, and the sale must be registered on Oqood within 90 days. Check both on Dubai REST, use a broker with a valid permit, and read the SPA on handover dates and resale conditions before paying.
Can I get a mortgage on off-plan properties in Dubai?
Yes, but UAE Central Bank rules cap loans on off-plan property at 50% of the value for all buyers, UAE nationals included. Compare that with up to 80% for an expat's first ready home under AED 5m. Plan to fund the construction instalments from your own money, and speak to a bank early about the handover payment.
How do I check if a project has an escrow account?
For off-plan developments, Dubai REST, the DLD's official app, lists the escrow account number, completion percentage and site photos. The account on your payment instructions must match. Brokers cannot showcase projects without escrow registration, so a missing escrow number is a reason to stop.
What happens if an off-plan project is delayed or cancelled?
Under Law No. 8 of 2007, if a project is not completed the escrow agent, after consulting the DLD, must take measures to protect buyers, either by ensuring completion or refunding them. Delays are more common than cancellations, so check the SPA for handover dates and what it says about compensation.
Are off-plan villas in Dubai a better buy than apartments?
It depends on your goal. Villas in master communities suit families and long holds. Off-plan apartments for sale in Dubai usually cost less to enter and are easier to rent. Compare the payment plan, the service charges and how many similar homes will hand over nearby. I can run both options against your budget.
Where can I see the latest off-plan projects in Dubai?
My current projects page lists launches I can offer today, with payment plans and launch prices dated so you know how fresh they are. Developers release new off-plan projects in Dubai most weeks, so message me your budget and I will send what is open, with escrow details checked on Dubai REST.
Do I need to be in Dubai to buy off-plan?
No. Non-residents can buy on a passport, and the DLD has offered remote registration since 2020. A power of attorney signed abroad must be notarised, attested and translated into Arabic. You only need to visit in person for some later steps, such as applying for a Golden Visa.
