Quick answers to common questions about mortgages, CBUAE regulations, and buying property in the UAE.
In-depth analysis and comparisons written by our mortgage research team.
Emirates NBD conventional 3.89%, Sharjah Islamic Bank Islamic 3.75%. Full rate table across major UAE banks with reversion margins, fixed period comparison, and who should fix rather than go variable.
By the Editorial Team · 10 min read Read article →3 to 7 working days, 60 to 90 day validity. Full document checklist for salaried and self-employed, bank-by-bank timelines, and the six most common rejection reasons.
By the Editorial Team · 11 min read Read article →On a AED 1.5M mortgage a good broker can save AED 20,000 to AED 40,000 in the first five years. How brokers are paid, what concessions they unlock, RERA regulation, and the five questions to ask before signing.
By the Editorial Team · 9 min read Read article →Sharjah Islamic Bank Islamic at 3.75%, Emirates NBD conventional at 3.89%. Top-5 products ranked on rate and total cost, with profile-by-profile recommendations for salaried expats, self-employed, UAE nationals and non-residents.
By the Editorial Team · 10 min read Read article →Area by area break even analysis, upfront cost calculator, and 10 year wealth projection for JVC, Business Bay, Marina, and Downtown.
By the Editorial Team · 10 min read Read article →What a Dubai mortgage broker actually does, the rate concessions and waived fees we secure, RERA regulation, and the questions to ask before choosing one.
By the Editorial Team · 10 min read Read article →Every article in the library, organised into 11 topics. Click a topic for its full list.
Bank-by-bank rate comparisons, fixed vs variable decisions and how EIBOR moves your payment.
Browse topic →Payment, fee, DBR and overpayment tools, with per-bank and per-emirate versions.
Browse topic →Borrowing power salary band by salary band, and the true cost of AED 750k to AED 5M properties.
Browse topic →DBR caps, stress tests, credit scores and the income rules that decide a yes or no.
Browse topic →Product guides for the major lenders, plus direct bank-vs-bank comparisons.
Browse topic →Home loan rules for expats and overseas buyers, nationality by nationality.
Browse topic →Pre-approval steps, document checklists, timelines and broker advice.
Browse topic →Deposits, payments and buying costs for the communities buyers actually search.
Browse topic →Profit rates, Ijara vs Murabaha structures and how Islamic banks compare.
Browse topic →Rent or buy, off-plan finance, deposits, fees and the legal rules of buying.
Browse topic →Missed payments, restructuring, repossession rules and when refinancing pays off.
Browse topic →Flagship long-form guides: getting a mortgage, first-time buying, costs and choosing an emirate.
Browse guides →In-depth guides written by our mortgage professionals.
LTV limits, salary requirements, document checklists, and a step by step walkthrough from pre-approval to completion.
Read guide →Deposits, eligibility rules for nationals and expats, rate comparisons, real cost scenarios, and a 13-step buying checklist.
Read guide →DLD transfer fees, bank charges, valuation costs, insurance, and a worked example showing exact costs on an AED 2M property.
Read guide →Transfer fees, freehold zones, price per sqft, rental yields, and a decision matrix to help you pick the right emirate.
Read guide →The numbers and rules that matter most when getting a UAE mortgage.
For properties under AED 5M. Nationals can borrow up to 85%.
Total monthly debt payments cannot exceed 50% of gross income for expats.
Maximum total borrowing is 7 times annual gross income for expat residents.
The maximum mortgage term in the UAE is 25 years.
Dubai Land Department charges 4% of the purchase price on transfer.
0.25% of the loan amount to register the mortgage with DLD, plus AED 290 admin fee.
Yes. In the UAE, mortgages and home loans are the same product. UAE banks use both terms interchangeably. Some advertise "home loans", others "mortgages", others "home finance" (typically Islamic banks). All are subject to the same CBUAE rules on LTV, DBR, and income multiple.
A reducing rate is calculated on the outstanding balance each month. As you repay principal, the interest portion decreases. This is the standard mortgage structure in the UAE and globally. All rates on this site are reducing rates unless otherwise stated.
EIBOR (Emirates Interbank Offered Rate) is the rate UAE banks charge each other for short-term lending. Variable-rate mortgages are priced as EIBOR plus a bank margin. When EIBOR drops, your variable rate drops. The current 3-month EIBOR is 3.91% (reference table, 3 August 2026).
For a first home under AED 5M: minimum 20% deposit for expats, 15% for nationals. Above AED 5M: 30% for expats, 25% for nationals. Second homes require 40% (expats) or 35% (nationals). Non-residents typically need 40-50%. Budget an additional 7-8% for fees (DLD transfer fee, agency commission, mortgage registration, valuation).
DBR limits total monthly debt repayments as a percentage of gross monthly income. The CBUAE cap is 50% for UAE nationals and expats alike (60% applies only to nationals with a Government housing program loan). This includes your proposed mortgage, car loans, personal loans, and 5% of credit card limits. Exceeding this cap is the most common reason for rejection.
In an Islamic mortgage (Ijara or Murabaha), the bank buys the property and you pay rent or a cost-plus price. No interest is charged. Monthly payments are similar in practice, but the legal structure differs. Islamic products are open to buyers of any faith.
Yes, several UAE banks offer mortgages to non-residents with stricter terms: higher deposit (40-50%), lower income multiple, and fewer product choices.
Check your eligibility in 90 seconds or compare rates from all UAE banks side by side.