In a significant development for the real estate market in Dubai, the city is considering granting ownership of “first property” to visitors and non-residents. This initiative aims to enhance accessibility for potential investors, aligning with Dubai’s strategic vision to bolster its global status and attract a broader pool of buyers.
Majid Al Marri, the Executive Director of the Real Estate Registration Sector at the Dubai Land Department, stated that work is currently underway to include visitors and non-residents in the “First Buyer” initiative, which was launched in collaboration with the private sector and the Dubai Economy and Tourism Department.
Al Marri explained in statements to the press on the sidelines of the PropTech Summit, hosted in Dubai for the first time, that the initiative allows residents the opportunity to own their first property through discounts offered by developers and financing facilities from banks. He announced the inclusion of eight new real estate developers in the second phase of the initiative.
He added that the number of registered participants in the initiative has exceeded 40,000 to date, indicating a growing interest from investors and developers.
Al Marri noted that registration in the initiative currently requires applicants to be residents with a UAE identity, using the “UAE Pass” for registration. He mentioned that there will be a study on including new categories, such as non-residents and visitors, after exploring registration and verification mechanisms.
Importance of the Real Estate Technology Summit
Regarding the summit being hosted in Dubai for the first time, Al Marri stated that it represents a pivotal moment in the development of the real estate sector in the emirate. It reflects Dubai’s direction towards establishing itself as a global hub for real estate technology, in line with the directives of the wise leadership, the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, as well as the Real Estate Sector Strategy 2033.
Al Marri explained that the significance of the event stems from its role in highlighting the impact of real estate technology on the sector, particularly in Dubai, which has a different experience compared to other Arab countries in terms of the speed of adopting digital solutions. He pointed out that the launch of the PropTech Hub initiative by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, was part of a clear approach to support startups.
Success of the Summit and Future Expectations
Al Marri added that the results of the summit exceeded expectations, with the target of attracting 3,000 participants being surpassed, as the number of registrants exceeded 4,000, along with over 300 expert speakers, more than 50% of whom are from outside the country. He noted that the number of new investors has increased by approximately 129,000 investors in 2025, thanks to significant facilitation in procedures.
Al Marri revealed that one of the main goals of the real estate technology ecosystem in Dubai is to attract more than 100 startups and new offices to establish their headquarters in the emirate.