Mortgage & financing options for property buyers in Dubai

People move to Dubai for work, business, or a fresh start, and housing is one of the first real decisions they face. Renting works for a while, though over time, the numbers start to feel heavier than expected. Many reach a stage where paying month after month for someone else’s property no longer feels right. Buying begins to look like the next step, and at that point, mortgage options in Dubai shape what kind of home is actually within reach.

So let’s look at how property financing actually works in Dubai.

At a glance

In Dubai, most expat buyers can borrow up to 80% of the purchase price for a first home, with monthly payments capped at 50% of income. Salaries need to start around AED 10,000 to buy a property in Dubai using a mortgage. Loans can run up to 25 years, and buyers choose between fixed, variable, or Islamic home finance depending on how stable they want their payments to be.

Mortgage Eligibility in Dubai

Banks in Dubai offer loans for ready homes and off-plan projects, with lending terms shaped by the property’s price and the buyer’s profile.

Minimum Salary for Mortgage in Dubai

Income plays a massive role in how much a bank is willing to lend. Salaried individuals must have a monthly salary between AED 10,000 and AED 15,000 and provide at least 6 months of bank statements. Self-employed buyers face a different check, where two years of company accounts and a steady account balance are expected. 

Debt-to-Income Rule

Dubai banks follow a strict limit set by the Central Bank. Total monthly debt, including the new mortgage, must not go above 50% of gross income. A clean balance sheet gives buyers far more borrowing power.

Downpayment Rules

For expats, most banks will finance up to 80% of homes priced at AED 5 million or less, which means at least 20% needs to come from personal funds. Once the price moves above AED 5 million, funding drops to about 70%, so the cash portion rises to 30%. A second home or investment unit normally qualifies for around 60% financing.

Credit Score 

Every loan request is checked through Al Etihad Credit Bureau. Scores run from 300 to 900. Higher scores signal lower risk. Buyers with scores above 650 move through the process faster and qualify for better interest rates. Late payments and unpaid cards can slow things down or reduce the loan size.

Once those checks are cleared, the next step is to decide how the loan will work. Mortgages in Dubai come in a few formats, mainly shaped around how interest is charged and how payments are spread over time.

Mortgage Options in Dubai

Once the bank gives the green light, the focus shifts to how the loan will feel every month. Dubai offers a few ways to structure a mortgage, and each one changes how repayments move over time.

Fixed Rate Mortgages

A fixed-rate mortgage keeps the interest rate locked for a set period, usually two to five years. Monthly payments stay the same during that time, even if market rates rise. Many buyers choose this when budgeting matters more than chasing the lowest possible rate. Families and first-time buyers like the predictability because the payment does not change halfway through the year.

After the fixed period ends, the loan shifts to a variable rate set by the bank.

Variable Rate Mortgages

A variable-rate mortgage tracks the bank’s base rate, which moves with interest rate decisions in the UAE. When rates rise, the monthly payment increases. When rates drop, payments fall. Many Dubai loans are tied to EIBOR or an internal bank rate. Investors sometimes choose this type because it can cost less during low-rate periods, but payments rise when rates turn higher.

Islamic Home Finance

Some buyers prefer Islamic property financing in Dubai instead of a conventional mortgage. Islamic banks set up the agreement on a shared-ownership or lease-based structure, in accordance with Sharia rules. Instead of interest, the bank earns a pre-agreed profit margin. Monthly payments feel similar to those of a regular mortgage, even as the structure behind them differs.

Dubai Islamic Bank and Emirates Islamic are common choices for this route.

Buy-to-let Mortgages

Investors who plan to rent out their property can use buy-to-let loans. The bank still checks personal income, though rental income may help support the case. These loans come with higher down payments and slightly higher interest rates.

Offset Mortgage

An offset mortgage links a home loan to a savings or current account held with the same bank. The money in that account does not reduce the loan balance; it reduces the amount of interest charged. If a borrower has AED 100,000 in savings and a loan of AED 1 million, interest is calculated on AED 900,000 instead.

That setup works well for people who keep large cash balances for business or personal use. The savings stay accessible, yet they lower interest costs every month. Over time, that can shorten the loan or cut the total interest paid.

Not every bank in Dubai offers this structure, and rates may start slightly higher than standard mortgages. 

Remortgaging (Refinance Mortgage)

Remortgaging replaces an existing home loan with a new one to secure a lower rate or to release cash from a property that has increased in value. Many Dubai homeowners use it when fixed rates end or when their financial profile improves. Banks reassess income, credit history, and the home’s current value before approving the new loan. The amount is based on today’s market price rather than the original purchase price. Fees and early settlement charges apply, so the savings or extra funds must outweigh those costs for the switch to make sense.

Best Banks for Home Loans in Dubai

Dubai has plenty of lenders, yet the “best” bank depends on what kind of buyer you are and what you want the loan to do. Some banks suit first-time buyers, others suit investors, and a few work better for expats. Below are the banks most buyers end up comparing when looking for a home loan. 

Quick Comparison Table

A Few Practical Tips

• Pick two or three banks that match the buyer type; not every lender suits every situation.
• Compare their Key Facts Statements and fee schedules side by side.
• Resident end-users benefit more from fixed-rate options and lower processing fees.
• Non-resident buyers should start with banks that clearly list non-resident mortgages.
• Buyers holding large cash balances may benefit from offset-style loans where savings reduce interest charges.

Cash vs Mortgage Property in Dubai

Some buyers want to be done with banks the moment they sign a contract. Others prefer to keep their savings free and let a lender cover most of the price. Dubai works for both styles, but the experience and the numbers look very different depending on the path chosen.

The table below shows how cash and mortgage purchases compare in everyday terms.

Mortgage-Related Costs

The home's price tells only part of the story. Banks, regulators, and the Dubai Land Department all add their own charges on top of the loan and the down payment. Looking at these fees early makes the rest of the process feel far more predictable.

• Mortgage registration fee: 0.25% of the loan amount paid to the Dubai Land Department.
• Property valuation fee: Between AED 2,500 and AED 5,000, charged by the bank.
• Bank processing fee: Around 1% of the loan value + 5% VAT
• Late payment fee: Around 3% to 6% of the monthly instalment if a payment is missed.

Upfront Buyer Costs

• Down payment: 20% for homes below AED 5 million, 30% for dwellings above AED 5 million.
• DLD transfer fee: 4% of the property price.
• DLD trustee fee: AED 2,100 or 4,200 fixed.
• Title deed fee: AED 580 fixed.

Buyers must pay all property fees themselves, which adds roughly 6% to 7% of the property price on top of the down payment.

Who Can Apply for a Mortgage

Dubai banks do not limit home loans to one type of buyer. Residents on work visas. business owners, buyers living outside the UAE, all can apply. GCC nationals fall under the same system, and retirees can borrow when they have income or enough savings to support repayments.

That open setup explains why the mortgage market in Dubai for expats keeps pulling people in. One rule still applies to everyone. The home loan for property buyers in Dubai must finish before retirement age, which is around 65 for salaried buyers and about 70 for those who run their own business.

Conclusion

Dubai makes it easy to choose how a home gets paid for. The rules are clear, the banks know what they will lend, and buyers can see the numbers before any papers are signed. Some buyers want everything paid off from day one. Others choose to spread the cost over time and keep their savings free for other plans. Dubai leaves room for both, which is why the market keeps pulling in different types of buyers. Once mortgage options in Dubai are understood, buying a home stops feeling uncertain and becomes workable.

Sorting out financing can feel heavier than choosing the home itself. Visit or contact us to speak with our property team for a clear view of prices, bank options, and homes that match your plans.