UAE Mortgage Requirements in 2026: LTV Caps, Salary, Documents
The published rules, the practical thresholds, and the order to do things in.
Updated 4 Jul 2026 · Regulatory figures per Dubai Land Department and UAE Central Bank published rules — always confirm current schedules
Loan-to-value caps (UAE Central Bank)
| Scenario | Expat resident | UAE national |
|---|---|---|
| First home, ≤ AED 5M | 80% LTV | 85% LTV |
| First home, > AED 5M | 70% LTV | 75% LTV |
| Second / investment property | 60% LTV | 65% LTV |
| Off-plan (any buyer) | 50% LTV | |
Caps set by the UAE Central Bank; banks may lend less than the cap. Maximum term is 25 years, with age-at-maturity limits (typically 65 for salaried, 70 for self-employed borrowers).
Affordability: the 50% rule
The regulation that actually decides your budget is the debt-burden ratio: every monthly debt obligation — the new mortgage, car loans, card minimums — must fit within 50% of monthly income. Banks layer their own salary floors on top (commonly AED 10,000–15,000 for salaried applicants, varying by bank), but the DBR is the ceiling nobody waives.
Costs of borrowing
- Mortgage registration — 0.25% of the loan amount + AED 290, paid to DLD at transfer.
- Arrangement fee — commonly up to 1% of the loan, set by the bank.
- Valuation — a fixed bank fee for the property valuation.
- Life/property insurance — required by lenders; priced into the monthly cost.
The right order
Pre-approval → offer → Form F (MOU) with your 10% security cheque → bank valuation → final offer letter → developer NOC → transfer at the trustee office, where the mortgage registers against the new title. Doing pre-approval first is what keeps the 10% cheque safe: a financing clause only protects you if the timeline in it is realistic.
Questions borrowers ask
What deposit do I need for a UAE mortgage?
Under UAE Central Bank caps, expatriate residents can borrow up to 80% on a first home priced at AED 5 million or less (so a 20% deposit), and up to 70% above AED 5 million. UAE nationals get 5% more. Second/investment properties cap lower, and off-plan lending is capped at 50% regardless of nationality.
What is the minimum salary for a mortgage in Dubai?
There is no legal minimum — the binding rule is the Central Bank's 50% debt-burden ratio: all your monthly debt payments, including the new mortgage, must stay within half of your income. In practice many banks look for roughly AED 10,000–15,000 a month; requirements vary by bank.
Can non-residents get a UAE mortgage?
Yes, from a smaller pool of banks, typically at lower loan-to-value (often 50–60%) and with more documentation. Rates and terms are less favourable than resident lending; many non-resident buyers simply pay cash.
What documents do banks require?
Passport and Emirates ID/visa (for residents), salary certificate or trade licence, three to six months of bank statements, and existing liability details. Pre-approval is typically valid for around 60 days.
Should I get pre-approval before viewing properties?
Yes — it is the single highest-leverage step. Pre-approval fixes your true budget, signals seriousness to sellers, and prevents the 10% deposit cheque being at risk because financing failed after you signed.
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