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Off-plan, market by market
Off-plan buying gives you the early price, the choice of residence and time to pay. It also asks for care. Here is how your money is protected in each market, and what to check before you pay.
The short answer
It is well regulated. In Saudi Arabia, Oman, Dubai and Qatar the law requires buyer payments for off-plan homes to go into a project escrow account, released to the developer as construction progresses. In Montenegro protection is by contract. The care goes into the developer, the contract and the escrow account.
Checked 22 October 2026
Off-plan homes
Saudi Arabia · Riyadh · Al Nakheel
Makanah is a single tower of 140 apartments and penthouses in Al Nakheel, Riyadh, about 1.3 km from KAFD, sold off-plan under Wafi from SAR 1,619,000. Al Majdiah lists it among its schemes open to foreign buyers.
Oman · Muscat · Yiti, Muscat
A collection of 19 four and five bedroom clifftop villas within AIDA, Muscat, developed by Dar Global with interiors by FENDI Casa. From OMR 1.506m; completing December 2028.
Montenegro · Tivat · Luštica Bay
Luštica Bay is the 690-hectare Orascom town on Montenegro's Luštica Peninsula, with an operating marina, The Chedi hotel and a Gary Player golf course. Four neighbourhoods, freehold homes, a guide from around GBP 333,000.
Oman · Muscat · Al Mouj Muscat
176 freehold apartments, garden residences and penthouses by Aurelian in Al Mouj Muscat’s marina district, with curved sea-facing terraces, an infinity pool and gardens. Completion Q2 2029.
Oman · Barka
Detached and semi-detached villas, townhouses and apartments in Barka, with landscaped spaces, places to play and everyday facilities in a phased community by Adrak Developers.
Oman · Muscat · Sultan Haitham City
Terrace Houses, Duet Villas and Grove Villas in a planned district of Sultan Haitham City, bringing gardens, plazas and a wadi into the pattern of daily life.
How an off-plan purchase runs
Track record, delivery history and the project licence come first. A good residence in a project at risk is not a good purchase.
A reservation payment holds the residence, paid into the project escrow account where the market has one. In Saudi Arabia it is capped at 5% of the unit value.
The contract sets the payment plan, the specification, the handover date and your rights if it runs late. Read it with an independent lawyer before you sign.
Instalments fall due at construction milestones or on a schedule. Saudi plans commonly run 10–20% on booking, 30–40% during construction and 40–50% on handover.
A snagging inspection before you accept the keys, the balance paid, and the completed home registered in your name.
Before you pay
Run them before you reserve; we go through them with you.
By market
| Market | Regulation | Where the money goes | Good to know | Read more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | RegulationWafi programme, REGA licence for every project | Where the money goesBank escrow, released against engineer-verified milestones | Good to know10-year structural warranty; exit right if more than 180 days late | Off-plan homes in Saudi Arabia |
| Oman | RegulationReal Estate Regulation Law, Royal Decree 79/2025, in force March 2026 | Where the money goesProject escrow account at a licensed bank | Good to knowA sponsor-free residence permit while the home is built | Off-plan homes in Oman |
| United Arab Emirates | RegulationDubai Law No. 8 of 2007; Ras Al Khaimah Law No. 11 of 2021 | Where the money goesMandatory project escrow, DLD-approved in Dubai | Good to knowIn Dubai, off-plan sales are recorded on Oqood until handover | Off-plan homes in the UAE |
| Qatar | RegulationLaw No. 6 of 2014, amended by Law No. 5 of 2023 | Where the money goesProject escrow, released against construction | Good to knowBanks follow Qatar Central Bank Circular 2/2025 | Off-plan homes in Qatar |
| Montenegro | RegulationNo statutory off-plan escrow scheme | Where the money goesNotary or lawyer escrow, by contract | Good to knowThe contract terms are your protection; read them with a lawyer | Off-plan homes in Montenegro |
Questions
Where the law requires escrow, money is released only against progress, with what remains held for buyers. In Saudi Arabia, Wafi adds a right to terminate and recover funds if delivery is more than 180 days late. Where protection is by contract, as in Montenegro, the contract decides.
Often, subject to the developer’s consent and a minimum share paid, which varies by project. Check the assignment terms before you reserve.
Usually not until completion. Saudi Premium Residency and Oman’s Golden Residency both need a completed home; Oman offers a short sponsor-free permit while the home is built.
We go through the developer, the escrow and the contract with you before you commit.
This guide is for orientation only, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change; confirm the position for your purchase with an independent lawyer before you act.