The “Owning the First Property” program enables more than 2,000 citizens and residents of Dubai to own their homes

The “Own Your First Property” program in Dubai continues to consolidate the emirate’s position as one of the most prominent global destinations for real estate ownership, by accelerating the population’s transition from renting to ownership, and enhancing long-term stability in a market that is considered one of the most mature and attractive in the world. The program enabled more than 2,000 citizens and residents to purchase their first home during the past six months, recording residential real estate sales worth exceeding 3.25 billion dirhams, in a clear indication of the effectiveness of the stimulating policies that Dubai is adopting it to support residential ownership and enhance sustainable demand.
The program was launched in July 2025 as a joint initiative between the Dubai Land Department and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, with the aim of expanding the base of real estate ownership for residents of the emirate of different nationalities and income levels, within an integrated system that brings together government agencies, real estate developers, and banking institutions. The program provides qualitative benefits, including priority access to new projects, customized mortgage solutions, and preferential prices for first-time homebuyers, facilitating the decision to own property in a competitive global market.
The program comes within the framework of supporting the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to double the size of the emirate’s economy by 2033, and consolidate its position as a leading global destination for business, talent and investment. It is also consistent with the Dubai Real Estate Sector Strategy 2033, and with the Year of Society in the UAE, by contributing to enhancing community cohesion, economic stability, and quality of life.
On this occasion, the Executive Director of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation, the economic development arm of the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai, Hadi Badri, said: “The wide demand for the first property ownership program reflects Dubai’s proactive vision in developing integrated housing and economic policies, based on partnership between the public and private sectors, and putting people at the heart of development. The program also contributes to enhancing investor confidence and stimulating long-term demand in the real estate sector, in a way that supports the objectives of the D33 Dubai Economic Agenda, and enhances the position of The emirate is a global model for sustainable urban development and the retention of competencies and talents.”
For his part, Executive Director of the Real Estate Registration Sector at the Dubai Land Department, Majid Al Marri, confirmed that the “Own the First Property” program formed a fundamental pillar in expanding the residential ownership base and supporting the exceptional momentum witnessed by the real estate market in Dubai, explaining that the real estate sector recorded during the year 2025 transactions worth more than 917 billion dirhams, which reflects the growing confidence and growing demand from investors and residents alike.
Al Marri added: “The increasing demand for the program reflects its success in transforming latent demand into actual transactions, and embodies a practical model for integration between regulatory policies and effective partnerships with government agencies, developers and banks, which enhances transparency and market stability, and supports Dubai’s competitiveness in the long term.”
The number of people registered in the program to date has reached more than 41,000, while data showed that 49% of the units purchased were by residents who had settled in Dubai for more than five years without previously owning a home, which reflects the success of the program in converting long-term residency into actual ownership, and strengthening residents’ connection to the emirate as a place to live, invest and build the future.
The program also contributed to the completion of successful transactions with an elite group of real estate development companies, in addition to the increasing demand for mortgage solutions designed specifically for first-time home buyers through the five participating banks, which enhances the efficiency of actual access to residential ownership and deepens the role of the banking sector as a partner in urban development.

As the program continues to stimulate sustainable activity in the real estate sector by enhancing demand for housing and expanding ownership opportunities for a wide segment of residents who viewed home ownership as an unattainable option, many first-time buyers described the program as a turning point that contributed to consolidating their family and financial stability in the emirate.
On this occasion, one of the program’s beneficiaries, Fatima Al Marri, said: “Owning a private home was a distant dream, especially with reliance on individual income. With this program, the ownership process has become clearer and more realistic, and it has given me greater confidence in planning my financial future within Dubai.”
Jade Lee, who is also a beneficiary of the program, said: “Owning my own home represents a turning point in my life. Thanks to this program, I have moved from temporary stability to permanent stability, and I now look at Dubai as a long-term base to build my future.”
With the expected expansion of the program through the joining of new real estate developer partners, it is expected that wider options and a larger range of properties will be available to those wishing to own property, which will contribute to shaping the features of a more comprehensive and sustainable real estate market, and enhance Dubai’s global position as a premier destination for real estate ownership and investment.