Off-Plan Apartments for Sale in Dubai

Quick answer

Off-plan apartments in Dubai are bought from the developer before completion and paid in stages, typically 10–20% at booking, instalments during construction and the balance at handover, with some projects offering post-handover plans. Buyer payments go into a DLD-regulated escrow account, the sale is registered on Oqood, and the 4% DLD fee still applies.

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Key facts

Live listings
6
Live asking prices
AED 750,000 – AED 90,000,000
Typical booking deposit
10–20% of the price
Buyer protection
DLD-regulated escrow account
Registration
Oqood (interim) + 4% DLD fee
Mortgage
Limited before handover; check lenders

6 Off-Plan Apartments for Sale in Dubai Listed Now

Showing 1–6 of 6

Popular Areas for Off-Plan Apartments in Dubai

AreaTypical asking priceWhy buyers choose it
Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC)AED 600K – 2MHighest launch volume, strong rental demand
Business BayAED 1M – 10M+Central towers, many branded launches
Dubai Creek HarbourAED 1.2M – 6MWaterfront master plan with skyline views
Dubai SouthAED 500K – 2MLow entry prices near Al Maktoum Airport
Meydan & MBR CityAED 900K – 5MLagoon and park communities close to Downtown
Dubai IslandsAED 1.5M – 8MNew beachfront district with early-stage pricing

Indicative bands, not live availability. Confirm the unit's price, service charges and condition before deciding.

How Off-Plan Apartment Payment Plans Work

Developers publish a schedule linked to dates or construction milestones. Common structures are 60/40 and 70/30 (paid during construction / on handover) and post-handover plans that spread part of the price over one to five years after completion. Read the sale and purchase agreement for late-payment penalties, handover tolerances and what happens if you want to resell before completion.

Off-Plan Risks and How to Check a Project

The main risks are handover delays, changes to specification and paying for a unit you cannot inspect. Before booking, confirm the project is registered with RERA and has an escrow account, review the developer's record on past handovers, check construction progress on the DLD's Dubai REST app, and compare the price per sq ft with ready apartments nearby.

Buying Costs in Dubai

On top of the price, budget about 6–7%: the 4% Dubai Land Department (DLD) transfer fee plus a AED 580 admin fee, the AED 4,000 + VAT registration trustee fee, and agency commission of typically 2% + VAT. With a mortgage, add 0.25% of the loan plus AED 290 for mortgage registration, along with bank valuation and arrangement fees.

More Apartments for Sale in Dubai

Apartments for Sale in DubaiLuxury apartments for sale in DubaiAED 3M+ in Downtown, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina and branded towers.Ready apartments for sale in DubaiMove in or rent out straight after transfer.Affordable apartments for sale in DubaiUnder AED 1M in JVC, Dubai South, Arjan and more.

Dubai Apartments by Bedroom

Frequently Asked Questions

Off-plan purchases in Dubai are regulated: projects must be registered with RERA, buyer payments go into a DLD-supervised escrow account released against construction progress, and each sale is registered on Oqood. The remaining risks are delays and specification changes, so check the developer's handover record and the project status on Dubai REST before booking.
Most developers ask for 10–20% of the price at booking, plus the 4% DLD fee and Oqood registration charges. Some launches offer reduced bookings of 5% or partial DLD fee waivers as promotions. Live off-plan apartments on this page start from AED 750,000.
Off-plan is often priced below comparable ready units in the same area and spreads payments over construction, but not always: popular launches can price at or above nearby ready stock. Compare price per sq ft, service charges and the time value of waiting for handover before deciding.
Usually yes, once you have paid the minimum percentage the developer sets, often 30–40%. You will need a developer NOC and the transfer is registered with the DLD. Check the resale clause in your sale agreement before booking.