Finance & Mortgage · 8 min · 2026-03-07
Dubai Off-Plan Payment Plans Explained: 60/40, 80/20 & Post-Handover
Understand every type of off-plan payment plan available in Dubai — from standard splits to post-handover and 1% monthly options.
How Dubai Off-Plan Payment Plans Work
A key feature of buying off-plan in Dubai is the staged payment structure. Unlike ready properties that require full payment or a mortgage, off-plan lets you spread payments over construction and sometimes after handover. For a complete picture, also check the full cost breakdown of buying in Dubai.
Common Payment Plan Types
1. Construction-Linked (60/40 or 70/30)
- 60% during construction / 40% at handover (or 70/30)
- Payments tied to construction milestones (foundation, structure, finishing)
- A common structure across developers
2. Post-Handover Plans
- Part of the price is paid after you receive the keys, over a period set in the SPA
- Lower amounts due before handover
- Can suit investors who plan to let the property and use the rent towards the installments
3. 1% Monthly Plans
- About 1% of the property value per month
- Fewer large milestone payments
- Monthly amounts are easier to budget
Illustrative Structures
The splits below are examples to show how plans differ; the exact schedule is in each developer's offer and SPA.
| Plan Type | Booking | During Construction | At Handover | Post-Handover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60/40 | Down payment | Balance of the 60% | 40% | None |
| 70/30 | Down payment | Balance of the 70% | 30% | None |
| Post-handover | Down payment | Part of the price | A share | Remaining share over the agreed period |
| 1% Monthly | Down payment | ~1%/month | Per schedule | ~1%/month if the plan continues |
Which Plan Fits You?
- Investors with available cash: construction-linked plans, with the balance paid at handover
- Cash-flow focused investors: post-handover plans, if the rent can realistically cover part of the installments
- Investors who prefer small regular amounts: monthly plans
In every case, make sure you can pay each installment from your own resources.
The Impact on ROI
Payment plans affect your effective ROI because they determine how much capital is deployed and when. A smaller upfront commitment means more leverage, which increases both the potential gain and the risk per dirham invested.
Calculate the exact impact with OffPlanSimulator.
Reviewed by Ahmed Benjas, co-founder & CEO of Cevitas Real Estate
Moroccan real estate expert based in Dubai, co-founder & CEO of Cevitas Real Estate, a RERA-licensed brokerage (NGI House, Deira), with an AED 200M+ track record. He works in French, Arabic, Darija and English.
Who is Ahmed Benjas? · Moroccan real estate broker in Dubai · His guides on cevitas.ae
Related guides
Calculators for this guide: Dubai property ROI calculator · Off-plan calculator Dubai