UAE Mortgage Tools

UAE mortgage & property guides

Clear, accurate explainers for buyers in the UAE — every figure sourced from the Central Bank of the UAE and Dubai Land Department, and linked to a free calculator so you can run your own numbers.

What is the minimum salary for a mortgage in Dubai?

No, the Central Bank does not set a minimum salary. We break down the real bank thresholds — and why your Debt Burden Ratio matters far more than your headline pay.

Can expats and non-residents get a mortgage in the UAE?

Expats can borrow up to 80% and non-residents typically 60–65%. Here is how the deposit, salary and rate rules differ, and what documents you need.

How much deposit do you need for a UAE mortgage?

Your deposit is set by the Central Bank LTV caps — from 15% for nationals to 50% for off-plan. Here is the full table and what counts as your "cash to close".

The UAE mortgage stress test, explained

The Central Bank requires banks to check you can still pay if rates rise 2–4%. That is why you qualify against a higher payment than you actually make — here is how it works.

The true cost of buying property in Dubai

The deposit is only half the story. Budget another 6–8% for the DLD fee, registration, agency commission and mortgage costs — here is every line, verified against the DLD.

Mortgage pre-approval in Dubai: how it works

A pre-approval is a bank’s written confirmation of how much you can borrow. Here is how to get one, the documents required, and why it makes you a stronger buyer.

Fixed vs variable mortgage rates in the UAE

Fixed gives you certainty for a few years; variable tracks EIBOR. Here is how to choose — and why the bank stress-tests you against the post-intro rate regardless.

Getting a mortgage when self-employed in the UAE

Business owners can absolutely get UAE mortgages — the assessment just looks at your accounts, not a salary slip. Here is what banks want and how to prepare.

Islamic home finance vs a conventional mortgage in the UAE

Islamic finance avoids interest (riba) using lease- or partnership-based structures. The Central Bank LTV and DBR rules still apply — here is how the two compare.

How to buy property in Dubai: a step-by-step guide

From setting your budget to the keys in your hand: the full Dubai buying process — pre-approval, the MoU (Form F), the NOC, the deposit, and the DLD transfer.

First-time property buyer in Dubai: the complete guide

Everything a first-time buyer needs: how much deposit and cash you really need, the Central Bank rules in your favour, and the traps to avoid.

The Dubai Golden Visa through property: how it works

An AED 2 million property can earn you a 10-year renewable Golden Visa — even on a mortgage. Here is how the property route works and what to check.

Refinancing your UAE mortgage (buyout): is it worth it?

A buyout moves your loan to a cheaper rate or releases equity. Here are the costs, the Central Bank fee caps, and how to tell if refinancing actually saves you money.

Dubai service charges: the ongoing cost of owning

Owning isn’t just the mortgage. Service charges — billed per sq ft through RERA’s Mollak system — are a real annual cost. Here is how they work and how to budget.

EIBOR explained: how it affects your UAE mortgage

Your variable rate is really “EIBOR + a fixed margin”. Here is what EIBOR is, who publishes it, and why it controls your payment once a fixed intro period ends.

Off-plan vs ready property in Dubai: which should you buy?

Off-plan means payment plans and a stricter 50% mortgage cap; ready means income now and normal financing. Here is how the cost, risk and Central Bank rules compare.

Joint mortgages in the UAE: buying with a partner

Two incomes can raise your borrowing power — but both partners’ debts count toward the same 50% DBR, and both are fully liable. Here is how joint mortgages work.

Mortgage life and property insurance in the UAE

Banks make life cover and building insurance a condition of the loan. Here is what each protects, the typical cost, and how to avoid overpaying for the bank’s policy.

UAE mortgage documents checklist: what banks ask for

A complete, ready-to-gather list of what UAE banks ask for — for both salaried and self-employed applicants — so your pre-approval doesn’t stall on a missing paper.

Buying property in Abu Dhabi: a complete guide

How much you can borrow is identical to Dubai because the mortgage rules are federal. What changes in Abu Dhabi: a transfer fee of around 2% (versus 4%) and freehold only in designated investment zones.

How much mortgage can you get on a 15,000 or 20,000 salary in the UAE?

Given your salary, how big a mortgage can you actually get? We work the numbers for the AED 15,000 and 20,000 bands and show why the stress-tested 50% Debt Burden Ratio, not the 7x income multiple, decides the answer.

DLD fees in Dubai: the 4% transfer fee and registration costs

The Dubai Land Department fees, line by line: the headline 4% transfer fee, the trustee fee, mortgage registration and admin — roughly 4.5% of the price in government charges.

What is the Debt Burden Ratio (DBR) and how is it calculated?

The single rule that decides most UAE mortgages: your total monthly debts can’t exceed 50% of income. Here is exactly what counts toward it and how to work out your own DBR.

Your AECB credit score and your UAE mortgage

Before a bank approves your mortgage it checks your AECB credit score (300–900). Here is what the score means, what drags it down, and how to strengthen it before you apply.

Salary transfer vs non-salary-transfer mortgages in the UAE

Many UAE banks reward a salary transfer with a better rate or easier approval — and charge more if you don’t. Here is how the two mortgage types differ and when each makes sense.

Bank property valuation in the UAE — and the shortfall to watch for

The bank lends on its own valuation, not your agreed price — and a “down valuation” lands on you in cash. Here is how UAE valuations work and how to avoid the shortfall trap.

Dubai rent increase rules: how much can your landlord raise the rent?

Your landlord can’t raise the rent freely. Dubai’s RERA sliding scale caps increases from 0% to 20% based on how far below market you pay — with 90 days’ notice required. Here is the table.

How mortgage repayments work in the UAE

Each payment is interest on the balance plus principal — early ones mostly interest. Here is how rate and term move your payment and total interest, and why it differs from what a bank will approve.

Rental yield explained: what’s a good yield in the UAE?

Gross vs net yield and cash-on-cash return, explained plainly for UAE property — what a good yield really looks like once service charges, voids and a mortgage are in.