Dubai’s off-plan property market has received a new financing boost after Dubai Holding Real Estate and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) announced a strategic partnership offering eligible buyers earlier access to home financing.
Under the new arrangement, buyers at Palm Jebel Ali, The Acres and Nad Al Sheba Gardens can access ADCB financing once they have paid 50% of the property’s value to the developer, regardless of the project’s construction stage. The financing package includes rates starting from 3.49% per annum, fixed for three years, along with other benefits designed to provide greater certainty around future payments.
What the New 3.49% Mortgage Offer Means
The partnership between Dubai Holding Real Estate and ADCB was announced on 15 September 2026 and covers properties within the portfolios of Nakheel, Meraas and Dubai Properties.
The key feature is that eligible buyers in the three named communities do not have to wait for a specific construction milestone before applying for financing. Once 50% of the property’s purchase price has been paid to the developer, buyers can access the financing facility, subject to ADCB’s normal eligibility and credit assessment.
This could be particularly relevant for buyers using extended developer payment plans. Instead of continuing to fund the remaining balance entirely through instalments, eligible purchasers can potentially move the outstanding obligation to mortgage financing once the 50% payment threshold has been reached.
Which Dubai Projects Are Included?
The initial offer applies specifically to three high-profile Dubai developments:
Palm Jebel Ali
Developed by Nakheel, Palm Jebel Ali is one of Dubai’s major master-planned waterfront developments. The project is being positioned as a large-scale residential and lifestyle destination, with villas and other premium residential offerings.
Under the new financing arrangement, eligible buyers can apply for ADCB home financing after paying 50% of the property’s value, regardless of construction progress.
The Acres
The Acres by Meraas is a villa-focused residential community designed around landscaped environments, greenery and family-oriented living.
The new ADCB arrangement gives eligible purchasers an additional financing route once half of the property’s value has been paid to the developer.
Nad Al Sheba Gardens
Located in the Nad Al Sheba area, Nad Al Sheba Gardens is another Meraas development included in the initial partnership.
The financing structure allows eligible buyers to access ADCB home finance after reaching the 50% payment threshold, providing an alternative way to manage the remaining purchase balance.
Key Features of the ADCB Financing Package
According to the partnership announcement, eligible buyers can benefit from several financing features:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Starting rate | From 3.49% per annum |
| Fixed period | Three years |
| Payment threshold | 50% of property value paid to developer |
| Construction requirement | No construction-stage requirement for the three named projects |
| Pre-approval | Valid for up to 18 months |
| Processing fee | Waived |
| Property valuation fee | Waived |
| Onboarding | Digital |
| Support | Dedicated ADCB Mortgage Centres |
The 3.49% rate is a starting rate, rather than a guarantee that every buyer will receive exactly the same pricing. Individual financing remains subject to the bank’s assessment and applicable eligibility criteria.
Why the 50% Threshold Matters
The 50% requirement is one of the most important aspects of the announcement.
For example, if an off-plan property has a purchase price of AED 5 million, the buyer would need to have paid AED 2.5 million to the developer before becoming eligible for the financing route under the specific arrangement.
If the buyer then finances the remaining AED 2.5 million, the mortgage would cover the outstanding portion, subject to the bank’s assessment and applicable financing limits.
This structure can provide buyers with greater visibility over their future payment obligations. Rather than waiting until a later construction milestone or handover stage, eligible purchasers at the three selected developments can potentially arrange financing earlier.
Financing Is Not Limited to These Three Communities
The partnership also extends ADCB’s off-plan financing solutions to other residential communities developed by Nakheel, Meraas and Dubai Properties.
However, there is an important difference.
For Palm Jebel Ali, The Acres and Nad Al Sheba Gardens, financing becomes available after 50% of the property’s value has been paid, regardless of construction progress.
For other qualifying communities within the wider Dubai Holding Real Estate portfolio, buyers must meet the prescribed construction milestones before accessing the relevant off-plan financing.
Therefore, buyers should check the specific financing conditions attached to their project rather than assuming that the 3.49% offer applies identically across every development.
What Does a 3.49% Rate Mean for Buyers?
The headline rate could make mortgage planning more predictable for buyers who are approaching the 50% payment point.
Consider a hypothetical AED 2 million mortgage at 3.49% over 25 years. The approximate monthly principal-and-interest payment would be around AED 9,980, before considering insurance, bank charges or other costs.
For a AED 3 million mortgage, the approximate monthly repayment would be around AED 14,950 under the same hypothetical assumptions.
These calculations are illustrative only. Actual mortgage payments can differ based on the final interest rate, loan term, borrower profile, repayment structure and bank approval.
Pre-Approval Valid for Up to 18 Months
Another notable feature is the availability of financing pre-approvals valid for up to 18 months.
For off-plan buyers, this can provide additional planning visibility because construction and developer payment schedules can extend over several years.
Having a longer pre-approval window may help eligible purchasers understand their potential financing position before the final stages of their property purchase. However, buyers should still confirm the validity and conditions of their individual approval directly with ADCB.
Waived Processing and Valuation Fees
The announced package also includes waived processing and property valuation fees for eligible customers.
These benefits can reduce some of the upfront financing costs associated with arranging a mortgage.
However, buyers should distinguish between waived bank fees and other property acquisition expenses. Purchasing an off-plan property in Dubai can involve additional costs depending on the transaction, financing structure and property.
What This Could Mean for Dubai’s Off-Plan Market
Off-plan property has become an important part of Dubai’s residential market, supported by major master developments, flexible developer payment plans and continuing demand from both local and international buyers.
The new Dubai Holding Real Estate and ADCB partnership adds another financing mechanism to this ecosystem.
For buyers, the key change is the ability to plan mortgage financing around the 50% payment threshold rather than waiting solely for construction progress at the three selected communities.
For developers, integrating financing options into the property purchase journey can help simplify the transition from initial purchase to eventual handover.
The partnership therefore represents a development in how buyers can structure their funding for selected off-plan properties, rather than a change to Dubai’s wider property ownership or mortgage regulations.
What Buyers Should Check Before Applying
Although the headline rate is 3.49%, prospective buyers should assess the complete financing structure before making a decision.
Important considerations include:
- The final interest rate offered by the bank
- Mortgage term and monthly repayment
- Income and credit eligibility
- Existing financial commitments
- Amount already paid to the developer
- Remaining balance under the SPA
- Developer payment schedule
- Applicable property registration and transaction costs
- Mortgage-related insurance or other charges
- Conditions applying after the initial three-year fixed period
The 3.49% figure should therefore be viewed as the starting point of the financing offer, not the total cost of purchasing the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can off-plan buyers get a mortgage before handover in Dubai?
Yes. The new Dubai Holding Real Estate and ADCB arrangement provides financing options for eligible buyers before handover. At Palm Jebel Ali, The Acres and Nad Al Sheba Gardens, buyers can access financing after paying 50% of the property value to the developer, regardless of construction progress.
Which Dubai properties qualify for the 3.49% financing offer?
The initial arrangement specifically covers Palm Jebel Ali, The Acres and Nad Al Sheba Gardens. Other Nakheel, Meraas and Dubai Properties communities can also access ADCB off-plan financing under applicable construction-milestone requirements.
Is the 3.49% mortgage rate guaranteed for every buyer?
No. The announced pricing starts from 3.49% per annum and is fixed for three years. Individual financing remains subject to ADCB’s eligibility and credit assessment.
How much of the property must be paid before financing?
For the three specifically named developments, eligible buyers can access the financing once 50% of the property’s value has been paid to the developer.
How long is the mortgage pre-approval valid?
The partnership provides financing pre-approvals valid for up to 18 months for eligible buyers.
Conclusion
The new partnership between Dubai Holding Real Estate and ADCB introduces a new financing option for buyers of selected Dubai off-plan properties.
For eligible purchasers at Palm Jebel Ali, The Acres and Nad Al Sheba Gardens, reaching the 50% payment threshold can unlock access to ADCB home financing without requiring the project to reach a particular construction stage. The package includes rates starting from 3.49% per annum fixed for three years, pre-approval of up to 18 months and waived processing and valuation fees.
For Dubai property buyers considering an off-plan purchase, the development highlights the increasing integration of banking solutions with major residential projects. As always, buyers should review the exact financing terms, eligibility requirements and total acquisition costs before committing to a property or mortgage.
