How much mortgage can I get in UAE as an expat?

Expat residents can borrow up to 80% of the property value (LTV) for properties below AED 5M, and 70% above AED 5M. Your debt burden ratio (DBR) must not exceed 50% of gross monthly income.

What is the minimum down payment for a UAE mortgage?

Expats need a minimum 20% down payment. UAE nationals need 15%. Non-residents need 25%. Additional costs include 4% DLD transfer fee, 2% agent commission, and mortgage registration fee.

What is the current mortgage rate in UAE?

UAE mortgage rates are typically EIBOR + 1.25–2.5% (variable) or 3.5–5.5% fixed for 1–5 years. As of 2026, effective rates are approximately 4.5–6.5% depending on the bank and loan profile.

Can non-residents get a mortgage in UAE?

Yes. Non-residents can get a UAE mortgage but are limited to 75% LTV and typically need to demonstrate strong overseas income. Banks like Emirates NBD, ADCB, and FAB offer non-resident mortgage products.

UAE Mortgage Loans | Expat & National Home Finance

CBUAE Regulations

UAE Mortgage LTV Limits (CBUAE Rules)

The Central Bank of UAE sets maximum Loan-to-Value ratios. Here's what you can borrow:

Buyer Type	Property Type	Property Value	Max LTV	Min Downpayment
UAE National	Ready Property (1st home)	Up to AED 5M	85%	15%
UAE National	Ready Property (1st home)	Above AED 5M	70%	30%
UAE National	Off-Plan Property	Any	50%	50%
Expat Resident	Ready Property (1st home)	Up to AED 5M	80%	20%
Expat Resident	Ready Property (1st home)	Above AED 5M	65%	35%
Expat Resident	Off-Plan Property	Any	50%	50%
Non-Resident	Ready Property	Any	75%	25%
Any Buyer	Commercial Property	Any	65%	35%
Any Buyer	Subsequent Property	Any	65%	35%

Source: CBUAE Mortgage Regulations (amended 2022). DBR (Debt Burden Ratio) cap: 50% of monthly gross income for all buyers. Max mortgage tenure: 25 years (residents), 15 years (non-residents). Max age at maturity: 70 (nationals), 65 (expats).

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Property Value (AED)

AED

Buyer Type

Property Type

Loan Tenure

Monthly Gross Income (AED)

AED

Salary + rental income + other declared income

Existing Monthly Loan EMIs (AED)

AED

Car loans, personal loans, credit card minimums

*Rate used: ~5.5% p.a. (indicative EIBOR + spread). DLD fee 4%, agent fee 2% added to total cash required. Consult My Eloah for exact rate quotes from specific banks.

Full Cost Breakdown

Total Cost of Buying Property in UAE

Beyond the downpayment, here are all the fees to budget for:

Fee	Rate / Amount	Who Pays	Notes
DLD (Dubai Land Dept) Fee	4% of property value	Buyer	Due at transfer
DLD Admin Fee	AED 580–4,200	Buyer	Registration fee
Real Estate Agent Fee	2% of property value	Buyer	Negotiable
Mortgage Arrangement Fee	0.5–1% of loan	Buyer	Paid to bank
Property Valuation Fee	AED 2,500–3,500	Buyer	Required by bank
Mortgage Registration Fee	0.25% of loan + AED 290	Buyer	Paid to DLD
Life / Term Insurance	0.3–0.6% p.a. of outstanding loan	Buyer	Required by most banks
Property Insurance	AED 500–2,000/year	Buyer	Building/contents
Developer NOC	AED 500–5,000	Buyer	For resale properties

💡 Rule of Thumb: Budget an additional 7–8% of the property value on top of your downpayment for all transaction fees and costs.

Mortgage Lenders

Top UAE Mortgage Lenders

Bank	Rate Type	Rate (Est.)	Max Tenure	Non-Resident?	Islamic?
Emirates NBD TOP	Variable (EIBOR+1.0%)	~5.5% p.a.	25 years	Yes	—
ADCB	Variable (EIBOR+0.99%)	~5.5% p.a.	25 years	Yes	—
FAB	Variable (EIBOR+0.89%)	~5.4% p.a.	25 years	No	—
Mashreq	Variable (EIBOR+1.1%)	~5.6% p.a.	25 years	Yes	—
DIB	Diminishing Musharakah	~5.5% equiv.	25 years	Yes	Yes
ADIB	Murabaha / Ijara	~5.5% equiv.	25 years	Yes	Yes
RAKBank	Variable (EIBOR+1.2%)	~5.7% p.a.	25 years	No	—
HSBC UAE	Variable (EIBOR+0.85%)	~5.4% p.a.	25 years	Yes	—

*Rates shown are indicative based on EIBOR ~4.5% (June 2026). Actual rate depends on buyer profile, property, and bank discretion. Contact My Eloah for live rate quotes.

FAQ

Mortgage Questions Answered

Can an expat get a mortgage in the UAE?+

Yes. Expats with a UAE residence visa can get mortgages from most major UAE banks. Typically you need a minimum salary of AED 10,000–15,000/month, a stable employment history of 6+ months, and a clean AECB credit report. Maximum LTV is 80% for properties up to AED 5M.

Can a non-resident get a UAE mortgage?+

Yes, but fewer banks offer this. Emirates NBD, Mashreq, ADCB, and some others accept non-resident mortgage applications. Maximum LTV is 75% and minimum income requirements are stricter. My Eloah specialises in non-resident mortgage applications.

What is EIBOR and how does it affect my mortgage?+

EIBOR (Emirates Interbank Offered Rate) is the benchmark rate used for variable-rate mortgages in the UAE. Your rate is typically EIBOR + bank spread (0.85–1.5%). EIBOR changes quarterly. As of mid-2026, EIBOR is approximately 4.5%. Most banks offer a 1–3 year fixed rate period before switching to variable.

What is DBR and can it affect my mortgage eligibility?+

DBR (Debt Burden Ratio) is the maximum percentage of your monthly income that can go towards loan repayments. CBUAE caps this at 50%. If your existing EMIs + proposed mortgage EMI exceed 50% of your monthly income, the bank cannot approve the loan — regardless of other factors.

How long does UAE mortgage approval take?+

Pre-approval (in-principle letter): 2–5 business days. Full approval after property valuation: 5–10 business days. Transfer and disbursement: 1–3 days after all documents are in order. Total process: typically 3–6 weeks.

What documents do I need for a UAE mortgage?+

For salaried employees: Passport, visa, Emirates ID, last 3 salary slips, salary certificate, 6-month bank statements, AECB report. For self-employed/business owners: above + trade license, 2 years audited accounts, 12-month business bank statements. Plus property documents (SPA, title deed, developer NOC).

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UAE Mortgage LTV Limits (CBUAE Rules)

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Total Cost of Buying Property in UAE

Top UAE Mortgage Lenders

Mortgage Questions Answered

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