Dubai Mortgage Calculator

Yes. UAE banks lend to both resident expats and non-residents living abroad. Residents can borrow up to 80% LTV (first home under AED 5M). Non-residents are limited to around 50% LTV and need a minimum property value of AED 1,000,000. Banks like Emirates NBD, ADCB, and HSBC have specific non-resident mortgage programs.

As of 2026, Dubai mortgage rates range from approximately 3.99% to 5.49% p.a. for fixed-rate products (1-5 year fix). Variable rates are linked to EIBOR (currently ~5%) plus a bank margin of 1.5-2.5%. The total effective rate for variable mortgages is typically 6.5-7.5% p.a. Fixed rates offer more certainty for the initial term.

UAE Central Bank rules: 20% minimum for residents buying their first home under AED 5M (80% LTV). Non-residents typically need about 50%, set by bank policy rather than a Central Bank cap. 40% for residents buying a second home or investment property. For properties over AED 5M, the minimum deposit is 30% (residents); caps are lower on higher-value and off-plan purchases, so non-residents should budget above 50%.

Salaried applicants need: passport, 3-6 months bank statements, last 3 salary slips, and employer letter. Self-employed need 2 years of audited accounts and trade licence. Non-residents add a credit report and income proof from their home country. All documents typically need to be within 3 months of application.

Fixed rates (typically 3.99-5.49% for 1-5 years) give payment certainty and protect against rate rises. Variable rates (linked to EIBOR) can be lower when rates fall but create uncertainty. Most financial advisors recommend fixing for the first 3-5 years, especially for primary residences where budget certainty matters.

Off-plan mortgages are available but less common. Most buyers of off-plan use developer payment plans (typically 40-60% during construction + 40-60% on handover). Some banks offer construction-linked mortgages that release funds at milestones. The maximum LTV is typically 50%, requiring a 50% down payment.

Pre-approval (also called approval-in-principle): 2-5 business days with complete documents. Full formal approval after property valuation: 7-14 days. The entire process from application to fund transfer typically takes 3-5 weeks for ready properties.

Down payment (20% for residents, from 50% for non-residents) + DLD transfer fee (4% of property value, customarily paid in full by the buyer though negotiable) + DLD mortgage registration fee (0.25% of loan + AED 290) + bank arrangement fee (0.5-1% of loan) + property valuation (AED 2,500-3,500) + agent commission (2% + 5% VAT) + title deed and DLD admin fees (AED 520) + insurance. Total transaction cost beyond purchase price: approximately 7.5% of property value on a resale bought through an agent with an 80% mortgage (about 6.5% on a cash purchase).