A Buyer’s Guide to Mortgages in Dubai (2026)
A mortgage decides how much home you can actually buy. Here is how Dubai financing works — the deposit you need, the fees, and how to get pre-approved.
How much can you borrow
UAE mortgage lending is capped by loan-to-value (LTV) limits. As a general rule, residents can borrow up to around 80% of the value on a first residential property (up to a price threshold, with lower limits above it), while non-residents are typically capped lower — often around 50–75% depending on the bank. That means a deposit of roughly 20% for residents and more for non-residents, plus fees on top.
Get pre-approved first
A mortgage pre-approval tells you your real budget and makes you a credible buyer. Banks assess your income, existing debt (the debt-burden ratio, generally capped around 50% of income), and profile. Get pre-approved before you shortlist so you don’t fall for a home you can’t finance.
The fees to budget for
- Mortgage registration fee — 0.25% of the loan amount plus a small fixed charge, paid to the DLD.
- Bank arrangement/processing fee — typically around 1% of the loan.
- Property valuation fee — a few thousand dirhams for the bank’s valuation.
- These are on top of the 4% DLD transfer fee and other purchase costs.
Financing off-plan vs ready
Ready property qualifies for a standard mortgage at purchase. Off-plan financing is more limited and usually applies closer to handover, so many off-plan buyers pay the construction-phase instalments from cash and take a mortgage for the completion balance. Plan your cash flow around that if you are buying off-plan on a mortgage.
Frequently asked questions
How much deposit do I need to buy property in Dubai?+
Residents generally need around 20% for a first residential property (more above a price threshold), while non-residents typically need more — often 25–50% — because their loan-to-value is capped lower. Budget purchase fees on top of the deposit.
Can non-residents get a mortgage in Dubai?+
Yes, several UAE banks lend to non-residents, usually at a lower loan-to-value than residents and subject to their assessment of your income and profile. A pre-approval confirms your budget before you shortlist.
What are the fees on a Dubai mortgage?+
Expect a 0.25% mortgage registration fee to the DLD plus a small fixed charge, a bank arrangement fee of roughly 1% of the loan, and a valuation fee — all on top of the standard purchase costs.
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