Before a UAE bank looks at your salary or the property, it looks at your credit history. That history is held by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), and the score it produces can quietly make or break your mortgage. Here is how it works and how to put yourself in the best position.
What the AECB score is
The AECB is a federal entity owned by the UAE government that collects payment data from banks, telecoms and utilities. From it, every individual gets a credit score from 300 to 900. The higher the number, the lower the risk you represent to a lender — and the easier and cheaper it is to borrow.
Why it matters for your mortgage
Banks pull your AECB report as a first step in any mortgage application. A strong score smooths approval and helps you win the best rates; a weak one can lead to a rejection, a demand for a larger deposit, or a higher interest rate. Crucially, the lender reads your full report — your history of payments and existing commitments — not just the headline number.
Note: there is no Central Bank "minimum score" for a mortgage. Each bank sets its own threshold and risk appetite, so treat any specific cut-off you read online as a rough guide, not a rule.
What pushes your score down
- Late or missed payments on loans, cards or even your phone bill
- Bounced cheques or failed direct debits — taken seriously in the UAE
- High balances relative to your credit limits
- Many active loans and cards, or a flurry of new applications
How to strengthen it before you apply
- Pay everything on time for several months — payment history matters most.
- Bring down card balances so you are using a smaller share of your limit.
- Clear or consolidate small debts where you can.
- Check your report early and dispute any errors with the AECB.
Reducing debt does double duty: it lifts your score and improves your Debt Burden Ratio, which is the other big lever on how much a bank will lend.
Get your file ready, then run your numbers
A clean credit file plus the right paperwork is what turns a calculator estimate into a real approval — see our documents checklist and pre-approval guide. To see what your income could support once your credit is in shape, use the eligibility calculator.