Payment plans for off-plan property in Dubai
Off-plan property in Dubai is usually sold on a developer payment plan, typically interest-free. The schedule of instalments is called the payment plan.
In short 60/40 means 60% during construction and 40% on handover. The booking is the first payment, usually 10–20% of the price. Post-handover means part of the price is paid after you get the keys. The 4% DLD fee is added to any plan. How to read a plan The first number is the share you pay before handover; the second is paid on handover or after it. Instalments are tied either to dates or to construction milestones.
Post-handover plans With a post-handover plan part of the price is paid over several years after you receive the keys. This eases the burden: you can already rent the home out and pay from the income. Such units are sometimes priced higher.
How to compare plans Look beyond the ratio to the totals: the full cost with the DLD fee, the size of the first payment and the amount due before handover. Two projects at the same price can need very different money in the first year.
Date-based and milestone-based plans In some projects instalments follow the calendar — for example, once a quarter. In others they follow construction stages: foundations, structure, finishing. In that case payments move if construction slows down.
A 60/40 example A home at AED 1,500,000 on a 60/40 plan: AED 900,000 is paid during construction, including AED 150,000 (10%) on booking; AED 600,000 on handover. Plus the AED 60,000 DLD fee up front.
Full-cost calculator
Property price, AED
Payment plan60/40 70/30 80/20 50/50 40/60
Booking10% 20%
DLD fee (4%) —
Full cost —
Needed up front (booking + DLD) —
During construction —
On handover —
How PromptEstates helps PromptEstates lays out each project’s plan by stage with amounts in your chosen currency, and lets you filter projects by post-handover terms and maximum booking payment.
Frequently asked questions Is interest charged? Usually not: developer payment plans are interest-free. The terms are fixed in the contract.
What if you miss a payment? The consequences — penalties or termination — are set out in the contract and governed by Dubai law. Read the late-payment section before signing.
Can you pay off early? Often yes, sometimes with a discount. Check with the developer.
Sources: Dubai Land Department
Dubai areas: Dubai Marina Business Bay Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) Dubai Hills Estate Dubai Creek Harbour Palm Jumeirah Downtown Dubai MBR City & Meydan Dubai South Dubai Islands Arjan Jumeirah Village Triangle (JVT) Al Furjan DAMAC Hills
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