UAE Mortgages, Without the Mystery
What deposit you actually need, what a purchase really costs on top of the price, and how it differs if you don't live here, with the same numbers our desk runs before recommending anything.
The basics, in plain English
UAE residents
Minimum deposit is 20% below AED 5M and 30% above it, terms up to 25 years. Rates move with the market, the calculator below uses a current typical rate you can adjust.
Non-residents
You can borrow from UAE banks without living here. Expect a higher deposit and a shorter list of lenders, the right bank depends on your income country and currency. We arrange this routinely.
The real cost of buying
The price is not the number that matters, transfer fees, agency fees, mortgage registration and valuation add up. The worked example below shows the actual cash needed on any price.
Run your numbers
Mortgage & buying costs
Get mortgage help on this property
Questions people actually ask
Can I get a mortgage without UAE residency?
Yes. Several UAE banks lend to non-residents on completed property. Deposits are higher than for residents and the lender list is shorter, which banks fit depends on where your income comes from. That matching is exactly what our mortgage desk does.
Does a mortgaged purchase still qualify for the Golden Visa?
In Dubai, yes, the AED 2M threshold is registered purchase value, not equity. Abu Dhabi counts what you've actually paid. Full detail on our Golden Visa page.
Can I mortgage an off-plan property?
During construction you pay the developer's instalments in cash; banks typically lend at or near handover. Many buyers plan a handover mortgage for the final payment, worth structuring before you choose the payment plan, not after.
What documents will a bank ask for?
Passport, proof of income (salary certificates or company/audited accounts if self-employed), bank statements, typically six months, and details of existing borrowing. Non-residents supply the home-country equivalents.
Fixed or variable rate?
Most UAE mortgages fix for an initial period, then revert to a variable rate over EIBOR. The right structure depends on how long you'll hold, a question worth putting to the desk with your actual plans.