Short answer: across 614 off-plan projects in October 2026, the most common headline plan is 50/50, and buyers pay on average 47.6% of the price before handover. 43% of projects ask for 40% or less before completion. Plans are most handover-weighted in Arjan and Dubai South.
Vidabricks catalogue, 18 Oct 2026. Reviewed by the Vidabricks advisory team. A plan written 40/60 means 40% paid before completion and 60% on handover.
How much is paid before handover
| Share paid before completion | Projects | Share of projects |
|---|---|---|
| 20% or less | 48 | 7.8% |
| 21–40% | 213 | 34.7% |
| 41–60% | 262 | 42.7% |
| Over 60% | 91 | 14.8% |
Most common plans: 50/50 (131 projects), 40/60 (99), 60/40 (91), 30/70 (75), 20/80 (43), 70/30 (36).
By area
| Area | Projects with a fixed plan | Average paid before handover | Projects asking 40% or less |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arjan | 16 | 35.6% | 11 |
| Dubai South | 38 | 41.9% | 22 |
| Dubai International City | 20 | 42.8% | 12 |
| Majan | 14 | 43.1% | 8 |
| Dubai Islands | 63 | 43.9% | 34 |
| Dubailand Residence Complex | 24 | 45.4% | 8 |
| JVC | 52 | 45.7% | 24 |
| Meydan (Nad Al Sheba 1) | 13 | 46.9% | 6 |
| Al Furjan | 9 | 48.9% | 4 |
| JVT | 16 | 55.6% | 4 |
| Business Bay | 28 | 55.7% | 7 |
By completion year
| Scheduled completion | Projects | Average paid before handover |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 55 | 47.1% |
| 2027 | 248 | 43.8% |
| 2028 | 184 | 47.0% |
| 2029 | 97 | 52.9% |
| 2030 | 26 | 67.3% |
Projects further from completion ask for more during construction, because instalments are spread over a longer build.
Developer patterns
- Emaar: 22 of 23 projects use 80/20.
- Binghatti: 18 of 24 use 70/30.
- Samana: 9 of 15 use 20/80.
- Azizi: 9 of 13 use 50/50.
- Sobha: 7 of 10 use 60/40.
What the index does not show
- Post-handover plans: some developers let you pay part of the price over 2–5 years after handover. Our headline split does not capture this; ask for the full schedule.
- Fees: the 4% DLD fee is usually due at booking on top of the first instalment. See buying costs.
- Escrow: instalments must go into the project's escrow account. See escrow and buyer protection.
Method: the headline payment plan published on each project page; 4 projects marked "Flexible" are excluded. Ready, completed and under-review projects are excluded.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common off-plan payment plan in Dubai?
50/50 is the most common headline plan in our catalogue (131 of 614 projects), followed by 40/60 (99) and 60/40 (91). The first number is the share paid before completion.
What share of the price do I pay before handover?
On average 47.6% across 614 off-plan projects. 261 projects (43%) ask for 40% or less before completion.
Which areas have the most handover-weighted plans?
Arjan (35.6% average before handover), Dubai South (41.9%) and Dubai International City (42.8%). Business Bay (55.7%) and JVT (55.6%) ask the most up front.
Do later completions ask for more up front?
Yes. Projects completing in 2027 ask on average 43.8% before handover; those completing in 2030 ask 67.3%.
