Dubai mortgage rates 2026: compare home loans from 12+ banks
The lowest Dubai mortgage rate right now is 3.25% reducing, an Islamic profit rate from National Bank of Fujairah. The lowest conventional Dubai home loan rate is 3.70% reducing from HSBC (MortgageCompare.ae rate tracker, May 2026). Mortgages and home loans are the same product in Dubai — banks use both terms interchangeably.
This page is the Dubai-specific cut of every mortgage we track. Rates, banks active in Dubai, the 4% DLD transfer fee, expat and national LTV rules, and the bank shortlist for buyers in popular Dubai areas. Compare every product side by side using our full rate tracker or check what you can borrow with the 90-second eligibility tool.
Quick summary: Dubai charges a 4% Dubai Land Department transfer fee on top of your deposit. Islamic mortgages are open to expats and UAE nationals of any faith. Most banks lend up to 80% LTV on a first property under AED 5M. Salary transfer typically gets you 0.25%-0.50% off the published rate.
Best Dubai mortgage and home loan rates today
Every rate below is for an employed Dubai resident on a standard purchase: 80% LTV, first property under AED 5 million. Your individual quote may differ.
| Bank | Type | Initial rate | Fixed period | Reverts to | Min salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBF | Islamic | 3.25% | 2 years | EIBOR + 1.25% | AED 15,000 |
| Dubai Islamic Bank | Islamic | 3.49% | 1 year | EIBOR + 1.35% | AED 15,000 |
| Standard Chartered Saadiq | Islamic | 3.50% | 1 year | EIBOR + 1.40% | AED 15,000 |
| HSBC | Conventional | 3.70% | 1 year | EIBOR + 1.50% | AED 15,000 |
| Emirates NBD | Conventional | 3.99% | 2 years | EIBOR + 1.75% | AED 15,000 |
| Mashreq | Conventional | 4.09% | 3 years | EIBOR + 1.75% | AED 15,000 |
Source: MortgageCompare.ae rate tracker, May 2026. View all 55 products.
Dubai Land Department fees: what you actually pay
The Dubai Land Department charges 4% of the property purchase price plus AED 580 in admin fees. This is in addition to the bank's mortgage registration fee (0.25% of the loan amount, capped at AED 290,000) and the trustee office fee (AED 4,000 for properties above AED 500,000).
Worked example on a AED 1,500,000 property with a 20% deposit (AED 300,000) and AED 1,200,000 loan:
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| DLD transfer fee (4%) | AED 60,000 |
| DLD admin | AED 580 |
| Mortgage registration (0.25% of loan) | AED 3,000 |
| Trustee office | AED 4,000 |
| Bank processing fee (typical 1%) | AED 12,000 |
| Property valuation | AED 3,000 |
| Real estate agent (2% standard) | AED 30,000 |
| Total fees on top of deposit | AED 112,580 |
So on a AED 1.5M Dubai property, you need AED 412,580 in cash on day one (deposit + fees), not just AED 300,000. This is the single biggest budgeting mistake first-time Dubai buyers make. Read our full UAE mortgage costs guide for the breakdown at three different price points.
CBUAE rules for Dubai mortgages
Every Dubai mortgage from every UAE bank operates under the same Central Bank of the UAE rules. The three that matter most:
- Loan-to-value (LTV): First property under AED 5M — 80% for expats and nationals. First property AED 5M or above — 65% for expats, 70% for nationals. Second property — 60% expats, 65% nationals.
- Debt burden ratio (DBR): Total monthly debt obligations cannot exceed 50% of monthly income. This includes credit cards, personal loans, car loans, and the proposed mortgage payment.
- Income multiple: Total mortgage cannot exceed 7 times annual income for expats, 8 times for nationals.
All three rules apply simultaneously. Your maximum borrowing is the lowest of the three. Use our eligibility tool to see how much you can actually get based on your salary, deposit, and existing obligations.
Which Dubai areas allow freehold ownership?
Expats can own freehold property in designated areas of Dubai. The major freehold zones include: Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT), Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC), Business Bay, Arabian Ranches, Emirates Hills, Meadows, Springs, Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR), Dubai Hills Estate, Al Furjan, Damac Hills, Town Square, Mira, and Mudon.
Outside designated freehold areas, expats can buy on a 99-year leasehold basis but not own the underlying land. UAE nationals can buy anywhere in Dubai without restriction.
Dubai bank shortlist by buyer profile
For lowest rate
NBF (Islamic 3.25%) leads on price across the UAE including Dubai. The trade-off: smaller branch network than the big four. Application is largely digital, processing typically completes in 10-14 working days. They do not require salary transfer.
For fastest processing
Emirates NBD dominates Dubai by volume. The DLD has direct integration with their system, which means transfers complete faster than at smaller banks. Their conventional rate of 3.99% is not the cheapest, but the speed and certainty matter for off-plan completions where the developer is pressing for handover.
For expats without salary transfer
HSBC at 3.70% conventional is the cheapest mainstream option for expats who want to keep their salary at their current bank. Mashreq and NBF also accept non-transfer applications.
For Islamic finance
Dubai is well-served. NBF Islamic at 3.25%, Dubai Islamic Bank at 3.49%, Standard Chartered Saadiq at 3.50%, and ADIB at 3.59% are all available to Dubai buyers regardless of nationality or faith. Islamic finance has been pricing aggressively in 2026 — the cheapest five products in the UAE are all Islamic.
Comparing Dubai vs Abu Dhabi for property buyers
If you are flexible on location, Abu Dhabi works out cheaper. The Abu Dhabi transfer fee is 2% (vs Dubai's 4% plus AED 580), and average price per square foot in equivalent areas is lower. On a AED 2,000,000 property, choosing Abu Dhabi over Dubai saves roughly AED 40,000 on transfer fees alone. Read our full Abu Dhabi vs Dubai comparison for the cost, yield, and bank-by-bank breakdown.
Frequently asked questions about Dubai mortgages
What is the best mortgage rate in Dubai?
3.25% Islamic from NBF and 3.70% conventional from HSBC. Both available to Dubai buyers regardless of nationality.
How much deposit do I need for a Dubai property?
Minimum 20% for a first property under AED 5 million for both expats and UAE nationals. 35% for expats and 30% for nationals on properties at or above AED 5 million.
What is the DLD transfer fee?
4% of the property purchase price plus AED 580. Paid by the buyer at registration.
Can I get a Dubai mortgage as a non-resident?
Yes, but options are more limited. Non-resident expats typically need 50% deposit and rates are 0.50% to 1.00% higher than for residents. HSBC, Standard Chartered, and a few specialist lenders accept non-resident applications.
How long does mortgage approval take in Dubai?
Initial pre-approval: 2-5 working days. Final approval after property valuation: 7-14 working days. DLD transfer once approved: half a day if paperwork is in order.
Can expats own freehold property in Dubai?
Yes, in designated freehold areas (Marina, Downtown, Palm, JLT, Business Bay, Dubai Hills, and many others). Outside freehold zones, expats can buy on 99-year leasehold.
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