How much mortgage can I get in Dubai? 2026 guide to loan limits

Updated October 2026. Loan limits, loan term and fee caps checked against the UAE Central Bank Rulebook; purchase fees checked against Dubai Land Department figures.

How much mortgage you can get in Dubai depends on three things: the Central Bank’s loan-to-value cap for your situation, your income and existing debts, and your age. This guide explains each limit as it stands in 2026, what it costs to take out a home loan, and works through a real example on an AED 1.5 million home.

How much can I borrow for a home in Dubai?

The UAE Central Bank sets the maximum loan-to-value (LTV) ratio, which is the largest share of the property’s value a bank may lend. Banks can lend less, but not more. These are the limits in the Central Bank’s Regulations Regarding Mortgage Loans:

So an expat buying a first home for up to AED 5 million needs a deposit of at least 20%. For a second home, the minimum deposit rises to 40%.

The fees on top of the price cannot be added to the loan, so you need cash for both the deposit and the costs. Houzon’s mortgage team can tell you which banks will lend the maximum for your profile.

Can non-residents get a mortgage in Dubai?

Yes, but fewer banks lend to non-residents and the terms are stricter. Most banks lend around 50 to 60% of the value to buyers living outside the UAE, and they usually ask for more paperwork, such as overseas bank statements, proof of income and a credit report from your home country. Some banks only lend to non-residents in certain countries or above a minimum income.

Can I get a mortgage on an off-plan property?

The Central Bank caps off-plan lending at 50% of the value. In practice, most banks only finance off-plan homes close to completion or at handover, and often only for projects by developers they have approved. During construction, most buyers pay the developer’s instalments from their own funds. If you plan to use a mortgage for the final payment, check before you sign which banks will finance that project. See current launches on our off-plan projects page.

How does the 50% debt burden ratio work?

Your total monthly debt repayments, including the new mortgage, car loans, personal loans and credit card limits, cannot exceed 50% of your gross monthly income. This is the debt burden ratio (DBR) set by the Central Bank.

Two further rules make the test tighter than it looks:

• Stress test. Banks must check that you could still afford the loan if the rate were 2 to 4 percentage points higher. If you take an introductory fixed rate, they test against the rate that applies after it ends.
• Credit cards count even when unused. Banks usually treat a share of each card’s limit as a monthly commitment. Closing cards you do not use can raise what you can borrow.

For investment properties, banks must also deduct at least two months of rental income when they calculate your DBR.

What is the maximum mortgage term and age limit in the UAE?

The longest mortgage term allowed is 25 years. The Central Bank does not set a single maximum age. Each bank sets its own, and most want the loan repaid by around 65 for salaried borrowers, with some lenders allowing up to 70. If the term runs past your expected retirement, the bank must check that you can still repay from your post-retirement income within the 50% DBR. In practice, the older you are, the shorter your term and the higher your monthly payment.

What salary do I need for a mortgage in Dubai?

There is no Central Bank minimum salary. Each bank sets its own, and most ask salaried residents for at least around AED 10,000 to 15,000 a month, with higher thresholds for some products and for non-residents. Self-employed applicants usually need at least two years of trading history, audited accounts and company bank statements.

Salary is only the entry ticket. What you can actually borrow is decided by the DBR test above.

Fixed or variable rate: which is better?

Dubai mortgages come in two main types:

• Fixed rate. The rate is fixed for an initial period, usually 1 to 5 years. Your payment stays the same, which makes budgeting easier.
• Variable rate. The rate is the bank’s margin plus EIBOR, the Emirates Interbank Offered Rate (usually the 3-month rate). The margin stays the same for the life of the loan, but EIBOR moves. Because the dirham is pegged to the US dollar, EIBOR tends to follow US Federal Reserve rate decisions.

When a fixed period ends, the loan normally switches to a variable rate of EIBOR plus the margin in your contract. Compare that follow-on margin as carefully as the headline fixed rate. Rates change often, so we quote live rates from several banks rather than publishing figures that go out of date.

What fees do I pay when buying with a mortgage?

If you later repay early, the Central Bank caps the early settlement fee at 1% of the outstanding balance or AED 10,000, whichever is less.

Worked example: borrowing on an AED 1.5 million home

An expat resident buying a first home for AED 1,500,000, with no other loans:

• Maximum loan (80%): AED 1,200,000
• Minimum deposit (20%): AED 300,000
• DLD transfer fee (4%): AED 60,000
• Title deed and DLD admin fees: AED 580
• Trustee office: AED 4,200 including VAT
• Agency commission (usually 2% of the price + 5% VAT): AED 31,500
• Mortgage registration (0.25% + AED 290 to 520): AED 3,290 to 3,520
• Valuation: about AED 3,000
• Cash needed: about AED 402,570 to 402,800, plus the bank’s processing fee and insurance

What income would you need?

The figures below use assumed rates for illustration only, not current offers. On an AED 1,200,000 loan over 25 years:

• At an assumed 4.5%, the monthly payment is about AED 6,670.
• Stress-tested at 2 points higher (6.5%), it is about AED 8,100.

To keep AED 8,100 within the 50% DBR, you would need a gross income of roughly AED 16,200 a month. If you also had an AED 3,000 car loan, the figure would rise to about AED 22,200. Your actual result depends on the bank’s rate, its stress test and how it counts your income.

How to get mortgage pre-approval

1. Gather your documents: passport, Emirates ID and visa, salary certificate or trade licence, payslips and 6 months of bank statements.
2. Get pre-approval. The bank checks your credit report and confirms how much it will lend. Pre-approval is valid for a limited period, so start viewing soon after you get it.
3. Agree a property and sign Form F or the developer’s SPA.
4. Valuation and final offer. The bank values the property and issues the final offer letter.
5. Transfer. The loan is released and the mortgage is registered with the Dubai Land Department at the transfer.

Our buying guide covers the full purchase process.

Ready to start looking? See homes for sale in Dubai.

Get your mortgage through Houzon

Houzon is a RERA-registered agency rated 4.9 on Google from more than 280 client reviews, with an in-house mortgage team that compares banks, handles pre-approval and coordinates the loan with your purchase. Speak to our mortgage team to find out what you can borrow.

Frequently asked questions

How much deposit do I need for a mortgage in Dubai?

An expat buying a first home up to AED 5 million needs at least 20%, rising to 30% above AED 5 million and 40% for a second home. You also need cash for fees, which are roughly 6 to 8% of the price.

Can I get a 25-year mortgage in Dubai?

Yes. The maximum term is 25 years, but your bank will shorten it if the loan would run past its age limit, which is usually around 65 for salaried borrowers.

Can non-residents get a mortgage in Dubai?

Yes. Several banks lend to non-residents, usually up to around 50 to 60% of the property value, with stricter income and document checks.

Can I get a mortgage on an off-plan property in Dubai?

The Central Bank allows up to 50% on off-plan property, but most banks only lend close to completion and for approved projects.

What is the maximum debt burden ratio in the UAE?

Your total monthly debt repayments cannot exceed 50% of your gross monthly income, and banks stress-test your mortgage at a higher rate.

What is the early settlement fee on a UAE mortgage?

The Central Bank caps it at 1% of the outstanding balance or AED 10,000, whichever is less.