Can a non-resident get a mortgage in Dubai?

Yes, several UAE banks lend to non-residents on ready property. The down payment is usually 40–50% of the value; the bank sets the exact share, as the UAE Central Bank has no separate limit for non-residents.

What down payment does a non-resident need?

Roughly 40–50% of the value plus transaction fees. For comparison, an expatriate with a UAE visa can borrow up to 80% on a first home up to AED 5M under Central Bank rules.

How much can a bank lend?

Under UAE Central Bank rules, repayments on all loans may not exceed 50% of gross income, the loan for a non-national may not exceed 7 years' income, and the term runs up to 25 years. A bank may lend less.

How much does it cost to arrange a mortgage?

DLD charges 0.25% of the loan to register the mortgage plus small fixed fees. Valuation, the bank's fee and insurance are extra, per the bank's tariff.

Is there an early repayment penalty?

There can be, but it is capped at 1% of the outstanding balance or AED 10,000, whichever is less. The cap was cut from 3% per the UAE Central Bank release of 10 October 2019.

Can you get a mortgage on off-plan?

A classic mortgage during construction is hard to arrange; a developer payment plan is normally used, with a mortgage taken closer to handover.

Dubai mortgage for non-residents 2026 — down payment, UAE Central Bank limits, costs

A non-resident can get a UAE bank mortgage on ready Dubai property. The UAE Central Bank sets no separate limit for non-residents, so the bank decides the loan share: usually 50–60% of the value, meaning a down payment of about 40–50%. The Central Bank's general rules apply to everyone: repayments on all loans may not exceed 50% of income, the term runs up to 25 years, and the early settlement fee is capped at 1% of the balance or AED 10,000. DLD charges 0.25% of the loan to register the mortgage. For off-plan, a developer payment plan is more common.

Down payment and loan size

For a non-resident, UAE banks typically finance about 50–60% of the value, so the down payment is roughly 40–50% plus transaction fees. That is bank practice, not a Central Bank rule: the UAE Central Bank regulations have no separate scale for non-residents, and each bank sets its own cap.

For comparison, an expatriate with a UAE residence visa can borrow up to 80% of a first home priced up to AED 5M under Central Bank rules (raised by 5 percentage points from 8 April 2020). If you hold or will soon hold a UAE visa, ask the bank which scale it will apply to you.

Work out the payment and down payment: mortgage calculator →

How much a bank can lend: UAE Central Bank rules

Debt burden up to 50%. Repayments on all loans, including cards and the new mortgage, may not exceed 50% of gross income. Example: on an income of AED 40,000 a month, no more than AED 20,000 can go to repayments.
Loan up to 7 years' income for non-nationals (8 for UAE nationals).
Term up to 25 years. The Central Bank lifted its age-70 cap at the last repayment: per the UAE Central Bank release of 10 October 2019, lenders now set the age limit, usually 65–70. Check with the bank.

A bank does not have to lend the maximum and looks at your income, its currency and your credit history. Rules per the UAE Central Bank rulebook (rulebook.centralbank.ae) as of November 2026.

Rates

Rates may be fixed for 1–5 years, then floating on EIBOR plus the bank's margin. After the fixed period the payment can rise with EIBOR. Compare offers on the total cost of the loan over the full term, not only on the first years' rate.

Mortgage costs on top of the price

DLD mortgage registration — 0.25% of the loan plus small fixed fees (per DLD's 'Mortgage registration' service page). Example: on a AED 1M loan, AED 2,500 plus fees.
Valuation by an accredited valuer and the bank's arrangement fee, per the bank's tariff.
Life and property insurance, if the bank requires it.
Early settlement, full or partial: per the same UAE Central Bank release of 10 October 2019 ('Central Bank of the UAE eases mortgage loan requirements for bank customers'), the cap was cut from 3% of the balance to 1% of the outstanding balance or AED 10,000, whichever is less.

General purchase fees (DLD 4%, agency commission) are in our guide Buying costs.

Documents and pre-approval

Passport, proof of income (payslips, statements, tax returns where applicable), 3–6 months of bank statements.
Bank pre-approval before choosing a property. It shows your real budget and makes negotiating with the seller easier.
A UAE bank account is often opened with the same bank; see UAE bank account for non-residents.

How a mortgage purchase works

Bank pre-approval and a budget that covers the down payment and fees.
Choosing the property, the agreement with the seller, the bank's valuation.
Final approval and the loan agreement.
Transfer and mortgage registration at DLD on the same day, at a registration centre (Trustee). The bank pays the seller, and the buyer receives a Title Deed noting the mortgage.

A mortgaged property may qualify for the Golden Visa under the conditions published by the DLD (the visa decision rests with ICP/GDRFA) if the price is AED 2M or more and the bank issues a letter showing the amount paid and the balance. The decision rests with ICP/GDRFA.

Off-plan: payment plan instead of a mortgage

During construction a classic mortgage is usually unavailable. A developer payment plan is used instead: instalments during construction, sometimes with post-handover payments. A mortgage on such a unit can be arranged closer to handover. More in Off-plan in Dubai.

This is general information as of November 2026, not financial advice. Bank terms change; a bank or mortgage adviser will give the exact answer.

Mortgages in Dubai for non-residents in 2026