What a mortgage really costs you.
Your monthly payment, the deposit you need, and how much a Dubai bank will actually lend, under the rules they apply.
How much a Dubai bank lends depends on your residency. UAE nationals borrow up to 85% of a first home, residents up to 80%, and non-residents around 60%, with the national and resident caps stepping down above AED 5 million. Budget roughly 7% of the price in cash for fees on top. Banks also hold total monthly repayments at or below 50% of income. Set your status below and the calculator turns these rules into your real deposit, loan and monthly payment.
The purchase price you are planning for.
Sets how much a bank will lend. Nationals borrow most, non-residents least.
20% of price. Residents need at least 20% down, with roughly 7% more in cash for fees.
The annual rate your bank quotes. Compare the rate after any fixed period, not just the headline.
Up to 25 years is standard. A longer term lowers the payment and raises the total interest.
Optional. Used to check the 50% debt burden ratio banks apply.
On a AED 1,600,000 loan over 25 years at 4.25%.
Within the 50% ceiling UAE banks apply to all monthly debt repayments.
Your down payment clears the 80% loan cap. Remember the 4% DLD fee and other closing costs sit on top, paid from cash rather than financed.
The two limits
- 01
Loan to value: 60% to 85%.
The cap depends on residency. UAE nationals borrow up to 85% of a first home up to AED 5 million, resident expats up to 80%, and non-residents buying from overseas around 60%. Above AED 5 million the national cap is 75% and the resident cap 70%. A second mortgaged property is capped at 60%, and off-plan nearer 50%.
- 02
Debt burden ratio: 50% of income.
Your mortgage payment plus any other loan and card repayments cannot exceed half of your monthly income. On a high price with a small deposit, this is often the limit that bites first, not the loan-to-value cap.
- 03
Cash on top: about 7%.
The 4% DLD transfer fee, agency commission, and registration costs are paid from cash, not added to the loan. Budget them separately from the deposit so the purchase does not stall at the finish line.
Rules reflect UAE Central Bank mortgage caps. Last reviewed June 2026. General information, not financial advice.
Frequently asked questions
- How much deposit do I need to buy in Dubai?
- It depends on your residency. A resident expat buying a first home needs at least 20% down up to AED 5 million, and 30% above that. UAE nationals need a little less, around 15%. Non-residents buying from overseas typically need at least 40%. On top of the deposit, budget around 7% of the price in cash for the 4% DLD transfer fee, agency, and registration costs, which banks do not add to the loan.
- How much can I borrow for a mortgage in Dubai?
- Two limits decide it. The loan-to-value cap allows up to 85% of the price for a UAE national, 80% for a resident expat, and around 60% for a non-resident on a first home up to AED 5 million. The debt burden ratio keeps all of your monthly debt repayments at or below 50% of your income. Your loan is whichever of those two limits is lower.
- What is the maximum mortgage term in Dubai?
- Up to 25 years. The loan also usually has to finish by age 65 for salaried buyers and 70 for the self-employed. A longer term lowers the monthly payment but raises the total interest you pay, so the lowest monthly figure is rarely the cheapest loan overall.
- How is my mortgage rate set?
- Rates are either fixed for an initial period or variable. Variable rates track the Emirates Interbank Offered Rate (EIBOR) plus the bank margin. After a fixed period the rate usually moves to a variable one, so compare the rate that applies after the fixed term, not just the headline introductory rate.
- Can I get a mortgage on an off-plan property?
- Yes, but the terms are tighter. Off-plan financing is often capped near 50% of the price and released in stages as construction progresses, so you need much more cash up front than for a ready home.
- The cost of buying in DubaiEvery one-off fee on top of the deposit, with the cash to transact.
- Rental yield calculatorSee whether the rent covers the mortgage and the running costs.
- The real cost of owning in DubaiEvery annual cost that sits on top of the mortgage payment.
- Selling cost calculatorWhat actually lands in your account when it is time to sell.
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