Getting a Mortgage in Dubai in 2026

How much you can borrow, what banks look for and the costs to plan for, for residents and non-residents.

Luxury One Real Estate · 30 October 2026

A mortgage can make a Dubai purchase easier to manage, but the rules depend on who you are and what you are buying. Here is what to expect in 2026.

01. How much you can borrow

The UAE Central Bank sets limits on the share of the property value a bank can lend:

An expatriate buying a first home worth up to AED 5 million can borrow up to 80% of its value, and up to 70% above that.
Later properties are limited to lower shares.
Off-plan purchases are capped at 50%.
In practice, non-residents are usually offered less than residents, and not every bank lends to them.

Each bank sets its own limits within these caps, so ask for a written offer rather than relying on averages.

02. What banks look at

Your income and how stable it is.
Your existing debts. The Central Bank limits total monthly debt repayments, including the new loan, to 50% of your gross monthly income.
Your age, credit history and the length of the loan, which cannot exceed 25 years.
The property itself, which the bank values independently.

03. Documents you will usually need

Passport, visa and Emirates ID for residents.
Salary certificate or business documents, and recent bank statements.
A credit report and details of existing loans.
The sale agreement once you have an accepted offer.

04. Fixed or variable

Fixed rates give certainty for an initial period, then usually move to a variable rate linked to a benchmark. Variable rates move with the market. Compare the full cost over the period you expect to keep the loan, not only the starting rate.