Most off-plan plans in Dubai make you pay a big share of the price while the building is still a construction site. SAMANA's 30/70 plan flips that. You pay 30% during construction and keep the other 70% until the keys are ready. On a AED 1 million apartment, that's AED 300,000 over the build and AED 700,000 at handover. It sounds simple, and it mostly is. But the 70% is the part you need a real plan for, so let's go through it properly.
How the 30/70 plan works
According to SAMANA's offer page, the structure looks like this:
| Stage | Amount | When |
|---|---|---|
| Booking | 15% | On reservation |
| Construction | 15% | Option A: 1% a month for 15 months. Option B: 5% at month 6 and 10% at month 12 |
| Handover | 70% | When the property is completed and handed over |
So by handover you've paid 30%, and the remaining 70% is due at that point. SAMANA says the plan is available across its Dubai portfolio, including Arjan, DLRC, Al Warsan, Dubai South, Dubai Islands, Majan, Meydan, JVC and Al Furjan, but eligible units and prices vary by project. Always get the exact schedule for your specific unit in writing.
What it looks like in numbers
These figures cover the property price only. The Dubai Land Department's 4% registration fee and admin charges are extra.
| Price | 15% booking | 15% construction | 70% at handover |
|---|---|---|---|
| AED 800,000 | AED 120,000 | AED 120,000 | AED 560,000 |
| AED 1,000,000 | AED 150,000 | AED 150,000 | AED 700,000 |
| AED 1,500,000 | AED 225,000 | AED 225,000 | AED 1,050,000 |
If you pick Option A, the construction 15% becomes 1% a month for 15 months. On a AED 1 million unit that's AED 10,000 a month. Option B suits people who'd rather pay two bigger chunks than a monthly amount.
The mortgage angle
This is the bit that makes 30/70 useful. SAMANA's own page points out that the 30% paid during construction has to come from your own funds, because UAE banks don't finance off-plan construction instalments. But the 70% at handover can be covered by a mortgage, subject to the lender's approval.
That's how many buyers use it: save or pay the 30% in cash, then take a mortgage on a completed unit for the rest. Just don't treat that mortgage as guaranteed. Approval depends on your income, residency status, the bank's valuation of the unit at handover, and lending rules at the time. Non-residents typically get lower loan-to-value than residents, so if you live outside the UAE, check how much a bank would realistically lend you before you book.
The honest catch
The 70% isn't spread out after handover. It's due at handover. If your mortgage falls short, or the valuation comes in lower than the price, you need to cover the gap from somewhere. That's the main risk with any back-loaded plan. If you can't see a clear path to that 70%, a plan with post-handover instalments, or a monthly plan, may suit you better. Our 20/80 plan guide covers the same issue in more detail.
30/70 vs 20/80 vs 40/60
SAMANA currently runs a few structures, and each suits a different buyer. The 20/80 plan puts even less in during construction, so even more lands at handover. The 30/70 sits in the middle, with a bit more paid upfront and a smaller handover bill. The 40/60 plan asks for more during construction but spreads the 60% after handover, which suits buyers who want to rent the unit and pay from the income. Our 40/60 plan guide explains that one.
Who 30/70 suits
It works well if you plan to move in and finance the balance with a mortgage, if you're a resident with a stable income who expects to qualify for a home loan, or if you'd rather keep most of your capital free during the build. It's a weaker fit if you're relying on hope rather than a clear plan for the 70%.
What to check before you book
Get the unit-specific payment schedule, the contractual handover date (not the marketing estimate), the total fees on top of the price, and the SPA terms for late payment, resale and cancellation. Read our guide to the Dubai SPA, check ongoing service charges, and if you want a mortgage at handover, talk to a bank now rather than in two years.
You can explore SAMANA projects through Saiban Associates, including SAMANA Greenfield 2, SAMANA Portside and SAMANA South Haven, or browse everything on our projects page. Want to know which units currently qualify for 30/70? Message us on WhatsApp.
