Everything You Need to Know About the Dubai First Time Home Buyer (FTHB) Program

July 22, 2025
Real Estate
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05 mins

Everything You Need to Know About the Dubai First Time Home Buyer (FTHB) Program

Buying your first home is a significant milestone, and there is growing government assistance to support homeownership in Dubai.
In response to the increasing demand for a subsidized program that enables underprivileged individuals to own their homes, the UAE government has launched an initiative offering favorable benefits to all residents in Dubai.

The Dubai First Time Home Buyer (FTHB) Program aims to provide local residents and expats alike with clarity, confidence, and financial assistance to access and purchase their first home.

This guide will break down the key aspects of the program, including:

Financial Benefits of the FTHB Program
Eligibility Criteria to Avail This Opportunity
Common Mistakes to Avoid for a Seamless Process

Without further ado, let’s get straight into it.

What Is the Dubai First Time Home Buyer Program?

The Dubai First Time Home Buyer Program is a government initiative to assist first-time buyers purchase a residential property in the emirate. The intent is to promote home ownership for residents and lessen their reliance on rental properties.

This program is not a singular program, but a combination of stakeholders, including

The Dubai Land Department (DLD)
Emirates Development Bank (EDB)
Registered banks
Dubai Housing Program (for eligible Emiratis)

Although each case is unique, programs generally give the homebuyer the offered lower fees, more markets for mortgage financing, and legal advice to the first time buyer unfamiliar with the real estate process.

Eligibility requirements for Dubai First Time Home Buyer (FTHB) Program

All eligibility requirements will vary depending if you are a UAE National or an Expat, but the vast majority of First-Time Buyer programs in Dubai have the same basic requirements:

First-Time Buyer in the UAE
21 years of age or older (eligible if the property is being purchased in a Spouse name)
Possess UAE residency or be a citizen of the UAE
Fall in a minimum income range (each financing institution has a different minimum requirement, generally between AED 10,000 – AED 15,000/month)
The property being purchased is a residential property intended for personal use (not as an investment property)
Potential further funding support through the Dubai Housing Program for subsidized loans and grants.

Financial Benefits & Incentives of Dubai First Time Home Buyer (FTHB) Program

One of the biggest appeals of the FTHB program is the financial benefits, which could include:

Reduced Land Department (DLD) fees: often reduced from 4% to 2% for qualified first-time buyers
100% loan-to-value (LTV) mortgages for UAE Nationals and up to 80% LTV for Expatriates (may depend on bank policy)
Certain partner banks will have no pre-approval fee
Down payment assistance schemes (especially for Emiratis with DHP)
Mortgage interest rate subsidies (income bracket dependant)

The DLD’s 2024 Annual Report states that first-time buyers increased in Dubai by 29% year-on-year, including some attributed to new incentives that focus more on the buyer.

How the Application Process Works?

The application process is fairly simple, and there are slight variations depending on if you apply through a bank, a government housing program or a real estate developer.

Here’s the common process:

Check your eligibility
Get mortgage pre-approved from one of the participating banks
Choose an approved property that fits your budget
Submit the necessary documents to your lender and the DLD
Pay your down payment and record the property
Receive your ownership title from the DLD’s registration portal

Some developers will have in-house expertise to assist you with your mortgage and registration process to make the buyer’s experience easier.

What documents are required for the Dubai First Time Home Buyer (FTHB) Program?

Typically the following are required to be a participant in the FTHB program, or for financing:

Valid Emirates ID and copy of passport
Residency visa
Salary certificate (proof of income)
Bank statements for the last 3—6 months
Credit report (AECB score)
Pre-approval letter from a bank (if obtained)
Proof of no previous ownership of a property (in some cases)

Your mortgage lender, or the DLD may request additional documents, depending on your specific case.

What Properties Qualify for the Dubai First Time Home Buyer (FTHB) Program?

Not all properties will qualify for first-time buyer incentives. There are usually a few simple requirements for qualifying properties to meet:

It must be residential, not commercial
It must be ready for occupancy or from an already approved off plan project
It must be registered with the DLD
It must meet the boundaries of the Dubai emirate
It must meet the eligible price bracket as laid out by the financing bank or housing authority

Common Mistakes to Avoid While Applying for the Dubai First Time Home Buyer (FTHB) Program

Even with help from the FTHB program, it is still possible to make a costly mistake as a buyer. Avoid these common pitfalls:

Overlooking the total costs – DLD, service charges, maintenance, mortgage processing fees
Not getting the legal checks completed – Check we’ve got the approvals from developer and title deed registered
Mortgage eligibility – Pre-approval does not guarantee final loan approval: make sure you have solid finances
Not comparing mortgage offers – Rates, fees, and terms can vary widely
Not carefully reading the sales contract – Especially when it comes to off-plan properties

The Bottom Line

The Dubai First Time Home Buyer Program is a great tool for the UAE national and expat communities who are ready to transition from renting to ownership.

The specifics of the program provide homebuyers with lower fees, improved mortgage options, and higher eligibility threshold making it more attractive for first-time buyers.

If you want to take advantage of the opportunity of the Dubai First Time Home Buyer Program:

Understand your eligibility
Conduct side-by-side comparisons of financing options
Work with DLD qualified professionals
Have documentation, timelines, and budgets in place

With the right attitude and approach, your entrance into the Dubai real estate market can be a deliberate and exciting investment opportunity.

For risk-averse long-term investors looking for capital protection, long-term tenants, and disclosure as a result of regulations and compliance, New York is still a robust city to own a resilient property in a globally recognised location and well-priced, with deep market knowledge.

For more information on investing in Dubai real estate, get in touch with our highly experienced professionals at TAQ Global Properties: