Buying process
Buying off-plan in Dubai: the steps from booking to handover
Léonard Arzouni · 21 September 2026
Buying an off-plan property in Dubai follows a regulated path. Knowing each step tells you what you are signing, when you pay and what you can check.
1. Choosing the project and the unit
The developer offers plans, sizes and floors. At this stage, compare the payment plan, the estimated delivery date, the expected charges and the developer's track record.
2. The booking
A booking form is signed and a deposit is paid to reserve the chosen unit. This deposit is separate from the following payments and follows the developer's conditions: it is essential to read the terms, especially in case of withdrawal.
3. The sales contract (SPA)
The Sale and Purchase Agreement sets the price, the payment schedule, the expected delivery date, any penalties and each party's obligations. It is most often signed remotely, electronically.
4. Registration in the off-plan sales register
The sale is recorded in the Dubai Land Department's "Oqood" system, which gives the acquisition official existence. This is also when the 4% registration fee is due.
5. Payments during construction
Payments are linked to construction progress or to dates set in advance. They go through an escrow account dedicated to the project, which protects buyers if the developer runs into difficulty.
6. Inspection before handover
When the property is finished, an inspection ("snagging") lists the defects to be corrected before accepting handover. An independent professional can assist with this step.
7. Final payment and handover of the keys
The final balance is paid, service charges are settled or taken into account and the title deed is issued. The property can then be occupied or let.
Keep in mind
- Delivery dates are estimates and may slip.
- An attractive payment plan does not make up for a poorly located project.
- Conditions for reselling before handover vary by developer: they must be checked before buying.
To review your project and check the conditions currently in force, book an appointment with Arzouni Properties.
Keep reading
- Buying in Dubai from France: how to do it remotely
Electronic signature, power of attorney, wire transfers, virtual viewings: how to buy a Dubai property without travelling.
- Reselling an off-plan property before handover in Dubai: conditions and cautions
Contract assignment, payments required, developer approval and fees: how a resale before handover works in Dubai.
- Property purchase costs in Dubai: what to budget for
4% registration fee, agency commission, mortgage costs, service charges: the costs to plan for on top of the purchase price.