With a 60/40 plan, usually 10% down, 50% during construction and 40% at handover, an AED 700,000 home, about €170,000 or $190,600, needs about AED 98,000 between booking and Oqood registration, including the 4% DLD fee, about €23,800 or $26,700. Then comes AED 350,000 spread over construction and about AED 280,500 at handover. In our sample of October 2026 launches, the most affordable started at about AED 464,000, about €112,500 or $126,300.
In this guide7 sections
| Price | At booking: 10% and 4% DLD | During construction: 50% | At handover: 40% and fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| AED 500,000 ≈ €121,200 ≈ $136,100 | AED 70,020 ≈ €17,000 ≈ $19,100 | AED 250,000 ≈ €60,600 ≈ $68,100 | AED 200,520 ≈ €48,600 ≈ $54,600 |
| AED 700,000 ≈ €169,700 ≈ $190,600 | AED 98,020 ≈ €23,800 ≈ $26,700 | AED 350,000 ≈ €84,800 ≈ $95,300 | AED 280,520 ≈ €68,000 ≈ $76,400 |
| AED 1,000,000 ≈ €242,400 ≈ $272,300 | AED 140,020 ≈ €33,900 ≈ $38,100 | AED 500,000 ≈ €121,200 ≈ $136,100 | AED 400,520 ≈ €97,100 ≈ $109,100 |
| AED 2,000,000 ≈ €484,800 ≈ $544,600 | AED 280,020 ≈ €67,900 ≈ $76,200 | AED 1,000,000 ≈ €242,400 ≈ $272,300 | AED 800,520 ≈ €194,000 ≈ $218,000 |
What do I need at booking?
The plan’s down payment, usually 10% or 20%, and, when the sale is registered in Oqood, the 4% DLD fee and AED 20 in fees. It is the largest single payment before handover.
How much do I pay during construction?
It depends on the plan. In a 60/40 you pay another 50% spread until handover: on AED 700,000 over 30 months that is about AED 11,700 a month, about €2,800 or $3,200, if instalments were monthly. In a 20/80 you pay little during construction and need 80% at handover. See the types in the off-plan payment plans guide.
What budget gives access to the Golden Visa?
Property worth at least AED 2,000,000 in total, about €485,000 or $545,000. With a 60/40 plan, that means about AED 280,000 at booking, about €67,900 or $76,200. Requirements are in the Golden Visa guide.
What yield can I expect by price?
For ready homes, our calculation with DLD sales and rents over the last 12 months gave a median gross yield of between 8 and 8.5% below AED 700,000 and between 5 and 5.5% above 2 million. Details by area are in the rental yields guide.
How much you need from the UK or the US
The dirham figures are the same for everyone. What changes is what they mean in your currency and how you send the money. All examples are for an AED 700,000 home on a 60/40 plan.
How much you need to invest in Dubai from the UK
About $26,700 between booking and Oqood registration at October 2026 rates. From pounds, the amount moves with the pound-dollar rate, because the dirham is pegged to the dollar, so leave some margin. The money goes by transfer from your bank, which may ask for the contract to support the payment.
How much you need to invest in Dubai from the US
About $26,700 at booking, with no currency risk, as the dirham is pegged to the dollar at 3.6725.
From anywhere else
Convert the dollar figures in this guide into your currency at the day’s rate.
Things to keep in mind
- Have the down payment and the 4% DLD fee ready before booking.
- Work out the monthly construction cost, even if the plan follows milestones.
- Decide from the start how you will pay at handover, from savings or with a mortgage.
- Add agency commission and developer fees, if any.
- If you save in a currency other than the dollar, allow for the exchange rate.
We confirm for each project what you need at every step, from booking to handover.
Frequently asked questions
Can I start with less than AED 100,000?
Yes. With a home of about AED 500,000 and 10% down, you need about AED 70,000 between booking and Oqood registration, including the DLD fee.
Can I get a mortgage for the handover?
It is a common option. It depends on the bank approving it at the time, so it helps to have another way to pay in mind.
Do these amounts include agency commission?
No. They include only the price and the official DLD fees.
How much do I need to invest in Dubai from the UK?
For an AED 500,000 home with 10% down, about $19,100 between booking and Oqood registration, including the 4% DLD fee.
How much do I need to invest in Dubai from the US?
About $19,100 at booking for an AED 500,000 home with 10% down, with no currency risk.
