Off-plan payment plan calculator
By Tyler Newman, Host of The Off Plan ShowLast updated
On a 60/40 plan for a AED 2 million apartment in Dubai you pay AED 1.2 million before handover, plus the 4% DLD fee (AED 80,020) at booking, and AED 800,000 on handover. Change the price, the split and the dates below to see every instalment by month.
Pick one of our projects to load its example price and the developer's published plan.
- Cash before handover
- AED 1,280,020
- Due on handover
- AED 800,000
- Registration fee at booking
- AED 80,020
| When | Payment | % | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2026 | Registration fee | 4% | AED 80,020 |
| Oct 2026 | Booking / down payment | 20% | AED 400,000 |
| Mar 2027 | Construction instalment 1 of 6 | 6.67% | AED 133,333 |
| Aug 2027 | Construction instalment 2 of 6 | 6.67% | AED 133,333 |
| Jan 2028 | Construction instalment 3 of 6 | 6.67% | AED 133,333 |
| Jul 2028 | Construction instalment 4 of 6 | 6.67% | AED 133,333 |
| Dec 2028 | Construction instalment 5 of 6 | 6.67% | AED 133,333 |
| May 2029 | Construction instalment 6 of 6 | 6.67% | AED 133,333 |
| Oct 2029 | On handover | 40% | AED 800,000 |
Construction instalments are spread evenly between booking and handover, so the months are approximate. Developers set their own dates, often tied to construction milestones.
Quick answers
What does 60/40 mean on an off-plan plan?
You pay 60% of the price before handover (booking plus construction instalments) and 40% when the developer hands over the keys. 80/20 means 80% before handover, 20% on handover.
When do I pay the DLD fee on off-plan?
At booking, alongside the first payment. In Dubai it is 4% of the price plus AED 20 in knowledge and innovation fees, paid through the developer when the sale is registered on Oqood. DLD requires the contract to be registered within 90 days of signing.
What is a post-handover payment plan?
Part of the price is paid after you receive the keys, in instalments over a period the developer sets. It lowers the cash you need at handover but the developer is effectively lending you that balance, so compare the total price with a standard plan.
Can I get a mortgage for the handover payment?
Usually yes, once the property is complete. UAE Central Bank rules cap off-plan lending at 50% of value, so most buyers wait until handover, when the normal caps apply. Use our mortgage at handover calculator to test it.
Can I link straight to a plan?
Yes. Add ?price=2500000&plan=60/40&handover=2029-12 to this page address, or ?project= with one of our project slugs, and the calculator opens with those numbers.
Sources
- Dubai Land Department: Request to register the initial sale (4% split 2% + 2%, AED 10 knowledge and AED 10 innovation fees), checked 31 Oct 2026
- DARI: Off-plan unit buy & sell registration (2% of sale price, AED 400 admin excl. 5% VAT), checked 31 Oct 2026
- Project payment plans: each project guide on The Off Plan Show, checked against developer documents, checked 31 Oct 2026
Illustrative only, not financial, legal or immigration advice. Fees and rules change, so confirm the current figures with the authority, your developer or your bank before you pay.