Buying Property in Dubai Without the Full Amount: What Are the Options?
You want to invest in Dubai or move there to live, but you’re postponing the decision because you don’t have the full amount saved? This is one of the most common situations on the market — and it’s solvable.
Dubai offers many flexible property purchase schemes, especially designed for those who can’t or don’t want to pay 100% of the property’s value upfront. You can start with as little as a 10–20% down payment and gradually pay the rest — either during construction or even after you receive the keys. It all depends on your goals and financial strategy.
Why you don’t need to save 100% of the property value
If you see Dubai as an investment market or a future home, one thing becomes clear: time is more valuable than capital. While you’re saving up, prices per square meter might grow by 5–15% annually. Many people lose time thinking they need to save “for the whole property,” when in fact it’s enough to have a starting capital and choose the right payment plan. That’s the advantage of the Dubai market — flexibility and variety in payment models.
Off-plan purchase: start with a minimal payment and zero-interest installment
Off-plan means buying property during the construction phase. This is the most affordable way to enter the market. Most developers offer phased payment schedules where the first installment starts from 10%, and the rest is evenly distributed over 3–7 years.
Example:
- 10% upon booking;
- 70% during construction;
- 20% at handover.
Importantly, this is interest-free. Payments go directly to the developer — no income statements or bank approvals required.
Project example: Vida Residences Hillside by EMAAR in Dubai Hills Estate. The project allows you to start with just a 10% down payment, 70% distributed evenly over 4 years, and the final 20% due at handover in Q2 2029. Located next to a future metro station, the project has strong investment potential thanks to high rental demand. Dubai Hills Estate is considered one of the greenest areas in the city, with excellent infrastructure (schools, malls, parks, medical facilities) — ideal for family living.
Projects with the largest payment due at handover
One of the most requested schemes is a payment plan where the biggest share is due at handover.
Example: ONDA — a premium boutique project by KASCO in Business Bay, just 5 minutes from Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall. The project is under active construction, increasing capital gains now. Ideal for short-term rentals. Payment breakdown: 20% down payment, 20% during construction, 60% at handover in Q3 2027.
Post-handover: pay later — after you receive the keys
If you want to receive the property but aren’t ready to pay the full amount immediately, look into post-handover plans. This scheme lets you pay a portion of the price after handover.
How it works:
- 70% is paid during construction;
- The remaining 30% is paid over 1–3 years after handover;
- You can move in or rent the property while paying the rest
This is great for those who want to ease their financial load. It’s often used for personal residence or rental investment.
Example: Ananda — a fully furnished residential complex by Tiger Properties. Payment plan: 20% down payment, 40% during construction (until 2028), 10% at handover (Q2 2028), and the final 30% over 2 years after you get the keys. Total term: 5 years. Tiger Properties is one of the UAE’s oldest developers, established in 1976. Motor City is a well-established district with excellent infrastructure, making it attractive for tenants and professionals living in Dubai.
1% per month payment plan: investing made easier
If you’re not ready to make a large payment upfront but want to start investing now, there are options that don’t require a mortgage or extra documents. Some developers offer very friendly terms: start from 10% and then pay just 1% per month. This not only spreads out your payments, but also locks in a low early-stage price.
How it works:
- 10% down payment upon booking
- The rest paid in 1% monthly installments during construction
- After handover — continue with monthly 1% payments for 2–3 more years
Example: Aspirz by Danube — a new project in Dubai Sports City, offering fully furnished apartments and offices. The area appeals to wellness-focused residents and is rapidly growing in business infrastructure — boosting price growth and rental demand. Payment plan: 10%, down payment, 60% paid during construction (Q4 2028) в четвертом квартале 2028 года in equal 1%. monthly payments, and 30% paid after handover over 30 months, again at 1% per month.
When can you resell the property?
It depends on the developer’s policy. In most cases, you need to pay 30–50% before getting the NOC (No Objection Certificate) to resell. Big developers like Emaar, Meraas, and Damac allow resale after 40% has been paid. Others like Sobha, Ellington, and Nshama may allow it after 30–40%. Terms vary by project — we’ll advise you on exact thresholds and help get approval.
Mortgage from a bank: ready-made housing and flexible conditions even for non-residents
If you want to buy ready property and start using it right away, you can apply for a mortgage from a UAE bank. It’s available even for foreigners without UAE residency, provided you have stable income and basic documents.
Mortgage terms for UAE residents:
- Down payment from 20%;
- Interest from 4% per annum;
- Term: up to 25 years;
- Early repayment allowed (with fee).
Mortgage terms for non-residents:
- Down payment from 40%;
- Interest from 6% per annum;
- Term: up to 25 years;
- Early repayment allowed (with fee).
The mortgage process in Dubai takes about 2 months, depending on the bank and case complexity. You’ll need basic documents: passport, bank statements, and proof of income (employment or company documents). We guide you through every step, from consultation to approval.
Our in-house mortgage advisor helps even with complex cases, knows the requirements of various banks, and finds the right solution for your goals.
Mortgage process:
- Pre-approval in 1–1.5 weeks
- Sales agreement is signed
- Bank transfers funds to the seller — usually within 1.5–2 months
Timing and terms may vary, but with our help, the process is smooth and transparent.
Example: 15 Northside Tower — a luxury residential project in the heart of Business Bay, surrounded by Dubai’s top premium developments. One-bedroom units start at $435,000. For non-residents, the minimum down payment would be 40% — $174,000. The remaining $261,000 can be financed over 25 years. Monthly repayments (including all costs) start at $1,730. Business Bay is one of the best areas for short-term rentals — high demand and central location make it easy to cover mortgage payments with rental income.
We work directly with managers at major banks in Dubai (FAB, HSBC, Mashreq Bank, etc.). They offer Space8 clients the best terms and fastest service. Submit a request — we’ll match you with a bank, calculate your plan, and help you apply remotely.
Installment or mortgage: what’s the difference?
Developer installment plans (off-plan, post-handover): (off-plan, post-handover)
- Fast approval directly from the developer
- No bank approval required
- 0% interest
- Flexible schedule — payments split into stages
- Opportunity to buy at early-stage pricing
- Suitable for under-construction properties
- Some limits on reselling during the plan
Bank mortgage:
- Only available for ready properties
- Interest rate from 6% annually (for non-residents)
- Term up to 25 years
- Requires income proof and bank approval
- Property can be rented immediately
- Often needs larger upfront payment (from 40%)
- Monthly payments spread evenly over the loan period
How to choose?
If you want to enter the market at a low price with minimal initial capital, go with an installment plan — especially during construction.
If your priority is a completed property and immediate rental income, consider a mortgage.
How to choose the right scheme — and get it right
Given Dubai’s variety of payment plans, Space8 helps you choose the best option based on your strategy, budget, and property type. Every case is unique — we calculate all possible scenarios to minimize your post-purchase burden.
Minimal entry:
- For investors with limited starting capital
- Suitable if you can’t pay the full amount upfront but have stable income
- A great way to lock in a price before market growth
- Lets you act now instead of waiting while saving up
Maximum payment at handover:
- For those who prefer to delay major payments
- Ideal for resale strategies before completion
- Gives time to save while your investment grows
- Useful if you’re also investing in other assets (cars, business, crypto)
Post-handover:
- For investors needing flexibility after key handover
- Allows payment after moving in or renting out
- Often used as an alternative to a mortgage
1% monthly plan:
- For investors seeking stable and minimal monthly payments
- Fixed monthly payments — ideal for long-term planning
- No bank approval needed
- Some payments can be covered by rental income
- Great for spreading payments over time
Mortgage:
- For investors preferring a traditional mortgage
- Ideal for buying ready-to-move properties
- Start earning rental income from day one
- Rental income covers mortgage payments
- Works well for long-term ROI models
At first glance, all payment plans may seem similar. But in reality, each has its nuances: Can you rent before paying in full? Can you resell early? Are there penalties for delays? How does price per sq.m. vary between models?
At Space8, we:
- Select properties based on both budget and goals
- Assess growth potential, liquidity, and risks
- Support you through the whole process: from strategy to signed contract
- Involve a mortgage advisor or deal directly with the developer
All we need to know is how much you’re ready to invest at the start. We’ll turn that into a real deal.
We have a database of:
- Installments from 10%
- Post-handover plans up to 5 years
- Bank-approved mortgage properties
- Developer-financed options
You’ll get real offers, numbers, payment plans, and ROI forecasts — not just pretty renderings.
