Off-Plan Payment Plans in the UAE, Explained
An off-plan payment plan splits the price of a home into a booking payment, instalments during construction and a final payment on handover. We read all 41 off-plan plans we sell in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The booking payment runs from 5% to 50% of the price, and on 24 of the 41 plans half the price or more falls due on handover. This guide sets out what each plan type means, how instalments fall due and what happens at every stage. We sell at zero commission, and the developer pays us.
Fact sheet
| Across the 41 plans we sell | |
|---|---|
| Booking payment | 5% to 50% of the price |
| Most common booking | 5% and 10%, on 14 plans each |
| Paid on handover | From 6% to 75% of the price |
| Half or more on handover | 24 of the 41 plans |
| Instalments on calendar dates | 16 plans |
| Instalments counted from your booking date | 15 plans |
| Instalments tied to construction | 8 plans, plus 2 that mix days and build stages |
| Instalments after handover | 1 plan, Expo Valley Views |
| Where payments go | The project's escrow account |
| Fees at booking | Dubai 4% plus the Oqood fee · Abu Dhabi 2% plus AED 450 · DIFC 5% |
What each plan type means
A plan is named by how the price splits around handover. The first number is the share paid before the keys, and the last is the share paid on handover.
| Plan | What it means | Plans we sell on it |
|---|---|---|
| 80/20 | 80% before handover, 20% on handover | The Heights by Emaar |
| 75/25 | 75% before handover, 25% on handover | The Edit at d3 |
| 70/30 | 70% before handover, 30% on handover | Eltiera Views, The Meriva Collection, Ocean House |
| 20/50/30 | 20% on booking, 50% during construction, 30% on handover | Palm Central, Frond F at Palm Jebel Ali |
| 60/40 | 60% before handover, 40% on handover | Rise by Athlon, Sobha Sanctuary, Bay Estate, Four Seasons Private Residences DIFC, Sobha City Abu Dhabi, Y Views at BAYN |
| 55/45 | 55% before handover, 45% on handover | Al Ghadeer Gardens, Al Ghadeer Parks |
| 50/50 | Half before handover, half on handover | The Wilds Residences, Kanyon, Jumeirah Residences Emirates Towers, The Wilds Ultra Lux Villas, ORLA, Sei Saadiyat, Yas Riva Reserve, Talay |
| 10/40/50 | 10% on booking, 40% during construction, 50% on handover | HADO by Beyond |
| 40/60 | 40% before handover, 60% on handover | Soulever, Inaura, Akala, W Residences, Passo, Sobha Seahaven, Dubai Harbour Residences, Athlon Villas, Hudayriyat Golf Estates, The Beach House Fahid, Fahid Beach Terraces, Fahid Beach Residences |
| 10/30/60 and 5/35/60 | The same 40/60 split, with the booking share named first | Vida Residences Saadiyat Island, Four Seasons Private Residences at Saadiyat Beach |
| 25/75 | 25% before handover, 75% on handover | Wadeem Gardens |
| 20% a year | Equal yearly payments, with no handover payment | ALVA at The Valley, 2026 to 2030 |
| Post-handover | Part of the price falls due after the keys | Expo Valley Views |
Handover-heavy plans
On a 40/60 or 25/75 plan, most of the price falls due when the home is finished. ADIB can finance up to 75% of the price on handover at Wadeem Gardens, subject to the bank's approval.
Post-handover plans
A post-handover plan carries instalments past the keys. Expo Valley Views takes 6% on completion in October 2029, then 7.5% at 120 days, 7.5% at 240 days and 10% at 360 days after handover.
Ask an advisor about the fees on a specific home.
Speak to an advisorHow instalments fall due
Every plan sets a trigger for each instalment. There are three triggers, and two of the plans we sell combine days with build stages.
| Trigger | How it works | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Calendar dates | Each instalment has a fixed day, month and year | Palm Central: 5% on 15 January 2027, 5% on 15 June 2027 |
| Counted from booking | Each instalment falls a set number of days or months after you book | Inaura: 10% within 180 days, then 5% at 360, 540, 720 and 900 days |
| Construction progress | Each instalment falls as the building reaches a stage | Al Ghadeer Gardens: 50% across construction |
| Days and build stages | Early instalments by date, later ones by build percentage | Eltiera Views: 5% each at 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% built |
On a plan counted from booking, the calendar moves with the day you reserve. On a dated plan, every buyer pays on the same dates.
What happens at each stage
Booking
The booking payment reserves the home. Registration falls due with it: 4% of the price plus the Oqood fee in Dubai, and 2% plus AED 450 in Abu Dhabi. Inside the DIFC free zone, registration is 5% of the price, paid to the DIFC Registrar of Real Property.
The sale and purchase agreement
The developer and the buyer sign the sale and purchase agreement, which carries the full payment schedule. In Dubai, the developer registers it in Oqood, the Dubai Land Department's off-plan register, within 90 days of signing. In Abu Dhabi, the developer registers it with the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre.
Construction
Every instalment goes into the project's escrow account. In Dubai, the escrow law applies to every developer selling off-plan, without exception. A project's progress is published on the Dubai Land Department's website. In Abu Dhabi, buyer payments go into an escrow account approved by the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre.
Handover
The handover payment completes the price, and the home is handed over. In Dubai, the sale moves from Oqood to the land registry and the title deed is issued. Our guide to off-plan costs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi sets out the fees at handover.
Every plan we sell, side by side
Dubai
| Project | Developer | Plan | Booking | On handover | Instalments | Handover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expo Valley Views | Expo City Dubai | Post-handover | 10% | 6%, then 25% after | Counted from booking | 31 October 2029 |
| The Wilds Residences | Aldar | 50/50 | 5% | 50% | Counted from booking | Q2 2030 |
| Rise by Athlon | Aldar | 60/40 | 15% | 40% | Counted from booking | December 2029 |
| Eltiera Views | Ellington | 70/30 | 20% | 30% | Days and build stages | Q4 2029 |
| HADO by Beyond | Beyond | 10/40/50 | 10% | 50% | Counted from booking | 2029 |
| Palm Central Private Residences | Nakheel | 20/50/30 | 20% | 30% | Calendar dates | October 2030 |
| Soulever | Beyond | 40/60 | 10% | 60% | Calendar dates | Q1 2029 |
| The Meriva Collection | Ellington | 70/30 | 20% | 30% | Days and build stages | Q2 2030 |
| Inaura Hotel & Residences | Arada | 40/60 | 10% | 60% | Counted from booking | 30 June 2030 |
| Akala Hotels and Residences | Arada | 40/60 | 10% | 60% | Counted from booking | End of 2029 |
| Kanyon | Beyond | 50/50 | 10% | 50% | Calendar dates | Q2 2029 |
| W Residences at Dubai Harbour | Arada | 40/60 | 10% | 60% | Counted from booking | On completion |
| Jumeirah Residences Emirates Towers | Meraas | 50/50 | 20% | 50% | Calendar dates | August 2030 |
| The Edit at d3 | Meraas | 75/25 | 20% | 25% | Calendar dates | August 2030 |
| Passo | Beyond | 40/60 | 10% | 60% | Calendar dates | Q3 2029 |
| Sobha Sanctuary | Sobha | 60/40 | 20% | 40% | Counted from booking | August 2029 |
| ALVA at The Valley | Emaar | 20% a year | 20% | Final 20% in 2030 | Calendar dates | 2030 |
| Sobha Seahaven | Sobha | 40/60 | 20% | 60% | Counted from booking | Q3 2027 |
| Bay Estate | Nakheel | 60/40 | 20% | 40% | Calendar dates | January 2031 |
| The Heights by Emaar | Emaar | 80/20 | 10% | 20% | Counted from booking | July 2030 |
| Dubai Harbour Residences | H&H for Shamal | 40/60 | 5% | 60% | Construction progress | 2028 |
| Ocean House | Ellington | 70/30 | 50% | 30% | Counted from booking | Q2 2027 |
| Athlon Villas | Aldar | 40/60 | 10% | 60% | Counted from booking | 30 September 2028 |
| Frond F at Palm Jebel Ali | Nakheel | 20/50/30 | 20% | 30% | Calendar dates | January 2030 |
| Four Seasons Private Residences DIFC | H&H | 60/40 | 10% | 40% | Construction progress | 2029 |
| The Wilds Ultra Lux Villas | Aldar | 50/50 | 10% | 50% | Counted from booking | Q2 2029 |
| ORLA, Dorchester Collection | Omniyat | 50/50 | 5% | 50% | Counted from the agreement | Q4 2026 |
Abu Dhabi
| Project | Developer | Plan | Booking | On handover | Instalments | Handover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al Ghadeer Gardens | Aldar | 55/45 | 5% | 45% | Construction progress | Q4 2030 |
| Al Ghadeer Parks | Aldar | 55/45 | 5% | 45% | Construction progress | Q2 2031 |
| Vida Residences Saadiyat Island | ALAIN Properties | 10/30/60 | 10% | 60% | Construction progress | Q2 2028 |
| Sei Saadiyat | Aldar | 50/50 | 5% | 50% | Construction progress | Q4 2030 |
| The Beach House Fahid | Aldar | 40/60 | 5% | 60% | Calendar dates | Q2 to Q4 2029 |
| Hudayriyat Golf Estates | Modon | 40/60 | 5% | 60% | Calendar dates | 2030 |
| Sobha City Abu Dhabi | Sobha | 60/40 | 20% | 40% | Counted from booking | December 2029 |
| Fahid Beach Terraces | Aldar | 40/60 | 5% | 60% | Calendar dates | 2029 |
| Fahid Beach Residences | Aldar | 40/60 | 5% | 60% | Calendar dates | Q1 to Q2 2029 |
| Yas Riva Reserve | Aldar | 50/50 | 5% | 50% | Calendar dates | Q3 2030 |
| Wadeem Gardens | Modon | 25/75 | 5% | 75% | Calendar dates | Q2 2031 |
| Y Views at BAYN | ORA | 60/40 | 10% | 40% | Construction progress | Q4 2029 |
| Talay and Talay Beach | Aldar | 50/50 | 5% | 50% | Calendar dates | From Q4 2029 |
| Four Seasons Private Residences, Saadiyat Beach | ALAIN Properties | 5/35/60 | 5% | 60% | Construction progress | Q4 2029 |
Each project page carries the full dated schedule and the booking amount in dirhams.
Mortgages, missed payments and cancellation
Mortgages
UAE banks can lend up to 50% of the value of a home bought off-plan, whatever the buyer's category. On a completed first home, an expatriate can borrow up to 80% below AED 5 million and up to 70% above it. The longest term is 25 years.
Selling before handover
An off-plan home can be resold before handover once the developer issues a No Objection Certificate. Each developer sets the payment threshold for it.
If a payment is missed in Dubai
Dubai's Interim Real Estate Register law sets the steps. The developer first notifies the Dubai Land Department of the missed payment. The Department then gives the buyer 30 days' notice to pay, in person, by registered mail or by email.
If the payment is still outstanding after 30 days, what the developer may do depends on how far the project has been built.
| Project completion | What the developer may do |
|---|---|
| 80% or more | Keep the payments made and claim the balance, or ask for the home to be sold at public auction to recover it |
| 60% to 80% | End the contract and keep up to 40% of the price of the home |
| Construction started, below 60% | End the contract and keep up to 25% of the price of the home |
| Not started, for reasons beyond the developer's control | End the contract and keep up to 30% of the payments made |
A technical report from a consultant approved by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency confirms the completion percentage. The developer refunds anything owed to the buyer within one year of ending the contract. If the home is resold first, the refund falls due within 60 days of the sale.
If a payment is missed in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi set out its steps in Law No. 2 of 2025, which amends the real estate sector law. The developer notifies the buyer, and any mortgage lender, by notary public or registered mail, and gives 60 days to pay. After 15 days the developer informs the Department of Municipalities and Transport, with a certificate from the escrow trustee confirming the missed payment. The Department then invites both parties to an amicable settlement within the 60 days.
If no settlement is reached, the developer may end the contract. The Department can then remove the buyer's name from the Initial Register and allow the home to be resold after 30 days, with the proceeds paid into the project's escrow account. The developer may keep a share of the buyer's payments in proportion to the breach and the stage of construction. A Chairman's decision sets those percentages. The buyer keeps the right to go to court or arbitration.
When a buyer can ask to end the contract in Dubai
A buyer can apply to the court to end the contract in four cases, set out in the law's implementing rules:
- The developer refuses, without a reason the Dubai Land Department accepts, to deliver the final sale agreement.
- The developer makes material changes to the agreed specifications.
- The home is found unfit for use at handover because of material construction defects.
- Any other case in which the general principles of law allow it.
If a project is cancelled
In Dubai, the Real Estate Regulatory Agency can cancel a project on a reasoned technical report. The escrow agent then refunds buyers within 14 days of the cancellation. If the escrow account cannot cover the refunds, the developer must pay the rest within 60 days. In Abu Dhabi, money in the project's escrow account can be spent only on building and completing the project.
The Golden Visa
A home of AED 2 million or more qualifies for the 10-year Golden Visa. In Dubai, an off-plan buyer is eligible once the down payment is made. In Abu Dhabi, at least AED 2 million must be paid to the developer. Our guide to the Golden Visa through property covers every condition.
Off-Plan Payment Plans in the UAE, Explained — Questions buyers ask
What is an off-plan payment plan?
A schedule that splits the price of an unbuilt home into a booking payment, instalments during construction and a payment on handover.
What does a 60/40 payment plan mean?
60% of the price is paid before handover and 40% on handover. Sobha Sanctuary, Bay Estate and Sobha City Abu Dhabi sell on 60/40.
What does a 50/50 payment plan mean?
Half the price is paid before handover and half on handover. Yas Riva Reserve, Talay and Kanyon sell on 50/50.
What is an 80/20 payment plan?
80% of the price is paid before handover and 20% on handover. The Heights by Emaar sells on 80/20.
What is a 40/60 payment plan?
40% of the price is paid before handover and 60% on handover. Twelve of the plans we sell run on 40/60.
What is a post-handover payment plan?
A plan with instalments after the keys. Expo Valley Views takes 25% of the price across the 360 days after handover.
How much is the booking payment on an off-plan property?
From 5% to 50% of the price across the plans we sell. Most book at 5% or 10%.
What fees are paid with the booking?
4% of the price plus the Oqood fee in Dubai, and 2% plus AED 450 in Abu Dhabi. Inside the DIFC it is 5%.
Where does my money go during construction?
Into the project's escrow account. In Dubai the escrow law applies to every developer selling off-plan.
Can I get a mortgage on an off-plan property?
Yes. UAE banks can lend up to 50% of the value of an off-plan home, over up to 25 years.
Can I sell an off-plan property before completion?
Yes. Resale before handover needs a No Objection Certificate from the developer, issued once its payment threshold is met.
What is the difference between a dated and a construction-linked plan?
A dated plan sets a fixed day for each instalment. A construction-linked plan sets each instalment against a stage of the build.
Which plan puts the most on handover?
Wadeem Gardens, at 75% on handover. ADIB can finance up to 75% of the price on handover, subject to approval.
What happens if I miss an off-plan payment in Dubai?
The Dubai Land Department gives you 30 days' notice to pay. After that, the developer's options depend on how far the project is built. At 80% or more it can claim the balance. Below 60% it can end the contract and keep up to 25% of the price.
What happens if I miss an off-plan payment in Abu Dhabi?
The developer gives you 60 days to pay, and the Department of Municipalities and Transport invites both sides to settle. Without a settlement, the developer may end the contract and resell the home.
Can I cancel an off-plan purchase in Dubai?
A buyer can apply to the court to end the contract in set cases, such as material changes to the agreed specifications or material defects at handover.
What happens to my money if a project is cancelled?
In Dubai the escrow agent refunds buyers within 14 days of a cancellation, and the developer covers any shortfall within 60 days.
Do you charge commission?
No. The developer pays us, so you pay nothing.
Price your own deal
We sell in both emirates at zero commission. Send us the project and we will work out the whole bill — the percentage, the fixed fees, and the ones the tables get wrong.