Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD) mortgage 2026: rates, products and how to apply
Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD) offers conventional home loans to UAE residents, both nationals and expatriates. CBD's introductory fixed rates sit within the UAE market range of 3.70% to 4.50%, though exact rates should be confirmed directly with the bank. The minimum deposit for expats is 20% under CBUAE rules. CBD is a mid-size, Dubai government-linked lender with no Islamic finance window. If you already bank with CBD, it is worth getting a quote alongside at least 3 other banks.
What is Commercial Bank of Dubai?
Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD) is a publicly listed UAE bank established in 1969. The bank is majority-owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai, the emirate's sovereign wealth arm. CBD operates branches across the UAE and focuses on retail and business banking, with mortgage lending forming part of its retail product set.
CBD is a conventional lender. It does not offer Sharia-compliant home finance products. If you want an Islamic mortgage, you will need to look at banks such as Dubai Islamic Bank, ADIB, or the Islamic banking windows offered by ADCB and Emirates NBD.
What does CBD offer for mortgages?
CBD's core mortgage products for home buyers include:
- Home purchase loans: for buying a completed residential property in the UAE, available to UAE nationals and expatriates
- Mortgage refinancing (buyout): CBD can take over an existing mortgage from another bank, sometimes offering a better introductory rate
- Top-up loans: for existing CBD mortgage holders who want to borrow against built-up equity
Off-plan property financing (buying a property under construction) is less commonly offered by mid-size banks like CBD and availability should be confirmed directly.
CBD mortgage rates: what to expect
CBD does not always publish its headline mortgage rates publicly. This is common among mid-size UAE lenders who prefer to quote on application rather than advertise.
Based on where the UAE market sits in June 2026, here is the rate context:
| Lender | Type | Introductory rate (best published) | Monthly on AED 1.5M (25yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| HSBC UAE | Conventional | 3.70% | AED 7,672 |
| FAB | Conventional | 3.95% to 4.25% | AED 7,873 to AED 8,125 |
| ADCB | Conventional | 3.99% to 4.49% | AED 7,929 to AED 8,329 |
| Emirates NBD | Conventional | 4.10% to 4.50% | AED 8,014 to AED 8,341 |
| CBD | Conventional | Within market range | Confirm with bank |
Source: MortgageCompare.ae, June 2026. CBD rates not publicly confirmed; contact the bank directly for a current quote.
The introductory rate is fixed for an agreed period (typically 1, 2, 3, or 5 years) and then reverts to a variable rate of 3-month EIBOR plus a bank margin. At June 2026 EIBOR of 3.69%, reversion rates on most banks run at 4.94% to 5.44%. The margin agreed at the start does not change for the life of your loan, so it is worth negotiating it carefully.
Rate tip: When comparing CBD against other lenders, do not just compare the introductory rate. Ask for the reversion margin in writing. A higher intro rate with a 1.25% margin beats a lower intro rate with a 1.75% margin after the first few years on most loan sizes.
Who can apply for a CBD mortgage?
CBD accepts mortgage applications from:
- UAE nationals
- Expatriate residents with a valid UAE residency visa and Emirates ID
- Salaried employees and self-employed business owners (documentation requirements differ)
Non-residents (people living outside the UAE) are not eligible under CBUAE regulations, regardless of nationality. You must be a UAE resident to apply for a UAE bank mortgage.
What salary do you need for a CBD mortgage?
CBD's specific minimum salary threshold is not publicly confirmed. Most major UAE banks require a minimum monthly salary of AED 10,000 to AED 15,000. The more relevant constraint is the CBUAE debt burden ratio (DBR) cap: your total monthly debt commitments, including the new mortgage, cannot exceed 50% of your gross monthly salary. This means your minimum useful salary depends on how much you want to borrow.
As an example, a borrower targeting a mortgage of AED 1.2M over 25 years at a rate of approximately 3.99% would have monthly repayments of around AED 6,340. For that to fall within the 50% DBR cap with no other debts, you would need a gross monthly salary of at least AED 12,680.
How much deposit do you need for a CBD mortgage?
CBUAE loan-to-value (LTV) rules set the minimum deposit:
| Buyer type | Property value | Max LTV | Min deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expat (first property) | Up to AED 5M | 80% | 20% |
| Expat (first property) | Above AED 5M | 65% | 35% |
| UAE national (first property) | Up to AED 5M | 85% | 15% |
| UAE national (first property) | Above AED 5M | 70% | 30% |
Source: CBUAE Mortgage Regulations. These are minimum CBUAE requirements; CBD may apply a lower LTV cap at its discretion.
What documents does CBD require?
The standard document pack for a UAE mortgage application includes:
- Passport (with valid UAE residency visa for expats)
- Emirates ID
- Last 3 to 6 months' salary slips
- Last 3 to 6 months' bank statements (salary account)
- Employer's letter confirming salary and employment status
- Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB) credit report (CBD will run this; you can download your own copy from the AECB app)
- Property details: title deed copy, sale and purchase agreement (SPA), or booking form
Self-employed applicants need trade licence, audited financial statements for 2 years, and bank statements for the business account. The document requirements are broadly consistent across UAE banks.
How to apply for a CBD mortgage: step by step
- Get an initial assessment. Call CBD directly or visit a branch to discuss your salary, target property value, and existing debts. This gives you a rough sense of eligibility before committing time to a full application.
- Submit your documents. Provide the document pack listed above. CBD will run a credit bureau check and salary verification.
- Receive an in-principle offer. If you pass the initial checks, CBD issues a conditional approval letter. This is not a final offer but it allows you to make an offer on a property.
- Property valuation. Once you identify a property, CBD commissions an independent valuation. The loan is capped at a percentage of the lower of the purchase price or valuation.
- Final approval and offer letter. After valuation and final credit review, CBD issues a formal mortgage offer. Review the reversion margin and all fees carefully before signing.
- Completion. Funds are released to the seller at the Dubai Land Department (DLD) transfer.
CBD vs the major banks: is it the right lender for you?
CBD is a sensible lender to include in your comparison, particularly if you already hold a current account or salary account with CBD. Existing customers sometimes receive faster processing and a more personalised service than walk-in applicants at large multinational banks.
The trade-offs worth knowing:
- Product range: CBD's mortgage range is narrower than ADCB, Emirates NBD, or HSBC, which offer a broader set of fixed period lengths and LTV options.
- Rate transparency: CBD does not always publish rates publicly, so you must request a quote to compare. This means CBD rarely appears at the top of rate comparison tables even if its rates are competitive.
- Branch network: CBD has a smaller branch network than the major banks, though its online and phone service covers most needs.
- No Islamic finance: If you want a Sharia-compliant home loan, CBD is not an option.
Recommendation: Use CBD as one of 3 to 4 quotes in your comparison, not as your only option. Run our free eligibility check first to understand your borrowing range, then request quotes from CBD alongside ADCB, Emirates NBD, and HSBC.
Frequently asked questions about CBD mortgages
Does Commercial Bank of Dubai offer mortgages?
Yes. CBD offers conventional home loans for property purchase and mortgage refinancing. CBD does not have an Islamic finance window, so all products are interest-based conventional mortgages.
What mortgage rates does CBD offer in the UAE?
CBD's exact rates are not publicly published and must be requested directly. In June 2026, the UAE market for conventional mortgages runs from 3.70% (HSBC) to 4.50% for 5-year fixes (Emirates NBD). CBD's rates are expected to sit within this range. Confirm the introductory rate and reversion margin in writing before accepting any offer.
Can expats apply for a CBD mortgage in the UAE?
Yes, provided you have a valid UAE residency visa and Emirates ID. Non-residents are not eligible. Under CBUAE rules, expats buying their first property valued up to AED 5M must put down at least 20%.
What is the minimum salary for a CBD mortgage?
CBD has not publicly confirmed its minimum salary threshold. Most UAE banks require AED 10,000 to AED 15,000 per month. The practical constraint is the CBUAE 50% DBR cap: your total monthly debt payments cannot exceed half your gross salary. Use our mortgage calculator to work out what monthly payment your salary supports.
Is CBD a good bank for mortgages in the UAE?
CBD is worth including in your comparison, especially if you already bank there. But no single lender is always the best option. Rates, margins, and processing times vary. Get at least 3 quotes before committing, and compare the full cost including the reversion margin, not just the introductory rate.
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Compare CBD against every major UAE lender
Getting only one rate quote costs you money. Run our free comparison to see where CBD would sit against ADCB, Emirates NBD, HSBC, and FAB for your loan size and salary.