Buying guide
Dubai Mortgages for Expats and Non-Residents: Deposits, Limits and Rules
How much you can borrow, how much you need to put down, and what the Central Bank rules say.
How much you can borrow, how much you need to put down, and what the Central Bank rules say.
By Staff Writer
Last reviewed
5 min read
You do not need to pay in cash to buy in Dubai. Banks in the UAE lend to residents and, in many cases, non-residents. This guide sets out the Central Bank’s published limits so you can see how much you may be able to borrow and how much you will need to bring.
Loan-to-value limits for expatriates
The Central Bank of the UAE sets the maximum loan-to-value (LTV) in its Regulations Regarding Mortgage Loans (Central Bank of the UAE Rulebook, opens in a new tab). For expatriates the limits are:
| Type of purchase | Maximum loan | Minimum down payment |
|---|---|---|
| First home, value below AED 5 million | 80% | 20% |
| First home, value above AED 5 million | 70% | 30% |
| Second or investment property | 60% | 40% |
| Any off-plan purchase | 50% | 50% |
These are ceilings. A lender may offer less depending on your profile, and you still need cash for the transaction costs covered in our cost guide.
Other rules to know
- Maximum term: 25 years.
- Debt burden ratio: total repayments capped at 50% of gross income, with stress testing against higher rates.
- Maximum financing for an expatriate: up to seven times annual income.
- Repayments must come from salary or verifiable business or rental income. End of service benefit cannot be used.
- Interest-only periods are limited to investment loans and to no more than five years.
- Early repayment and refinancing charges are limited, and borrowers must be free to refinance elsewhere.
A worked example
A resident expatriate buying a first home for AED 1,500,000 could borrow up to 80 per cent, or AED 1,200,000, leaving a AED 300,000 down payment. Add registration and other costs and the cash needed is higher than the deposit alone. If the same buyer buys a second property as an investment, the maximum loan falls to 60 per cent. Your bank will confirm the final numbers.
How to prepare
- Gather your passport, visa or Emirates ID, salary certificate and bank statements.
- Ask two or three lenders for an approval in principle so you know your budget.
- Compare the full cost, not only the rate: fees, valuation and early-repayment terms.
- Check how the lender treats a property you are buying off-plan or under construction.
- Keep a buffer for rate changes, because many loans reprice.
Developer payment plans can be a useful alternative to a mortgage on a new project. See the off-plan buyer guide for how they work.
Frequently asked questions
Can foreigners get a mortgage in Dubai?
Yes. UAE banks lend to expatriates, including non-residents, within the Central Bank's rules. Terms depend on your income, your residency status and the lender, so get an approval in principle before you reserve a property.
How much deposit do I need for a Dubai mortgage?
Under the Central Bank rules, the maximum loan-to-value for an expatriate buying a first home worth less than AED 5 million is 80 per cent, so the minimum down payment is 20 per cent. For a first home above AED 5 million it is 70 per cent. For a second or investment property it is 60 per cent. Add transaction costs on top of the deposit.
Can I get a mortgage on an off-plan property?
The Central Bank sets the maximum loan-to-value for property bought off-plan at 50 per cent, regardless of the buyer or the purpose. Many off-plan buyers instead use the developer's payment plan and arrange a mortgage nearer handover.
How long can a Dubai mortgage run?
The maximum term set by the Central Bank is 25 years. Lenders also set their own age limits for the final repayment.
How much can I borrow?
Your total debt repayments are capped at 50 per cent of gross income under the Central Bank rules, and the maximum financing amount for an expatriate is up to seven times annual income. Lenders assess each applicant individually.
Are there Islamic mortgage options?
Yes. Shari'ah-compliant mortgage finance is offered by some lenders, and the Central Bank's mortgage regulations apply to it in the same way.
Sources
- Regulations Regarding Mortgage Loans (opens in a new tab)Central Bank of the UAE Rulebook. Checked 23 September 2026.
- Property sale registration (service fees) (opens in a new tab)Dubai Land Department. Checked 23 September 2026.
This guide has been prepared by SkyBuild Real Estate for general information only. It is not investment, legal, tax or financial advice, and should not be relied on as the sole basis for a transaction decision. Rules, fees and eligibility criteria change. Confirm current requirements with the relevant authority, and take independent professional advice on your own circumstances. Sources were checked on the dates shown.
A considered next step
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