The Dubai First-Time Home Buyer (FTHB) Program is accelerating access to homeownership across the emirate, enabling more than 2,000 residents to purchase their first home in the past six months and generating more than AED3.25bn ($885m) in residential property sales, according to figures from the Dubai Land Department (DLD).
Launched in July 2025, the initiative was jointly developed by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and DLD to make homeownership more accessible for residents of all nationalities and income levels.
The program brings together government entities, developers, and financial institutions to offer priority access to new projects, tailored mortgage solutions, and preferential pricing for first-time buyers.
The FTHB Program aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which aims to double the size of Dubai’s economy by 2033, and supports the Dubai Real Estate Strategy 2033. It also contributed to the UAE’s Year of Community by promoting social cohesion and economic resilience.
To date, more than 41,000 residents have registered for the program. Of the homes purchased, 49 per cent were bought by residents who have lived in Dubai for more than five years without previously owning a property, highlighting the initiative’s impact in helping long-term residents establish permanent roots in the city.
Dubai First-Time Home Buyer Program
The program has also seen strong uptake of tailored mortgage solutions through all five participating banks, reinforcing its role in expanding practical access to homeownership.
Hadi Badri, Chief Executive Officer of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation, the economic development arm of DET, said: “The remarkable response to the First-Time Home Buyer Program – an initiative guided by our visionary leadership and delivered in close collaboration with the Dubai Land Department – reflects Dubai’s spirit of partnership, uniting government, developers, and financial institutions to turn homeownership into a reality for thousands.
“This initiative not only strengthens investor confidence but also accelerates the real estate sector’s contribution to Dubai’s economy, in line with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33.
“By fostering social cohesion and supporting talent retention, we are stimulating long-term demand and reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global model for sustainable urban development.”
Majid Al Marri, CEO of the Real Estate Registration Sector at Dubai Land Department, said the First-Time Home Buyer Program represents a pivotal initiative in expanding residential homeownership and sustaining market momentum in 2025.
He noted that Dubai’s real estate sector recorded total transactions of AED917bn ($249.7bn) this year, reflecting strong demand and growing confidence.
He added that rising interest in the program demonstrates its success in converting latent demand into real transactions, while reinforcing trust, transparency, and market stability through integrated partnerships.
Dubai real estate sales
Fatma Almarri, a first-time buyer under the program, said: “Owning a home felt distant, especially on a single income. This Program made the process simpler and more achievable, and it has helped me take control of my financial future with greater confidence.”
Jade Lee, another beneficiary, said: “Owning my own property has been a life-changing milestone. Growing up in a family where homeownership was not common, I watched my parents move from one rental to another. Thanks to this Program, I now have stability and a foundation I can build on for my future.”
As additional developers and partners join the initiative, the First-Time Home Buyer Program will continue to expand property choices for aspiring homeowners.
The program is shaping a more inclusive and future-focused property market that supports families and individuals while strengthening Dubai’s long-term competitiveness.
