Key takeaways
- Non-residents borrow up to 50–60% LTV on ready property; residents reach 80%.
- Rates typically run 4.5–6%, fixed for 1–5 years then reverting to EIBOR plus a margin.
- Terms up to 25 years, usually capped at age 65–70 at maturity.
- Off-plan mortgages are generally only available at or near handover, not at launch.
Eligibility and documents
Banks assess income, existing debt and nationality. Most lenders publish an approved-country list; some restrict lending to salaried applicants with two years of employment history, others accept self-employed with two years of audited accounts. Expect to provide passport, six months of bank statements, payslips or accounts, and a credit report from your home country.
Pre-approval is issued in 5–10 working days and is valid for 60–90 days. It can be obtained entirely remotely, and it materially strengthens your negotiating position on a secondary purchase.
The real cost of leverage
On top of interest, budget a 0.5–1% arrangement fee, AED 2,500–3,500 valuation, 0.25% DLD mortgage registration, and mandatory life and property insurance. Early settlement is capped at 1% of the outstanding balance or AED 10,000, whichever is lower.
Leverage only improves returns when the net yield exceeds the borrowing rate. At a 5.2% net yield and a 5.5% rate, a mortgage is a bet on capital growth, not a cash-flow improvement — model both cases before you commit.
Off-plan and alternatives
Banks rarely finance off-plan before completion. In practice the developer's payment plan is the finance: a 20/50/30 or post-handover structure functions as an interest-free instalment facility, which is why off-plan often out-performs a leveraged ready purchase on IRR.
At handover you can refinance the completed unit with a standard mortgage to release capital for the next acquisition — a common way our repeat investors build a two- or three-asset portfolio from one initial deposit.
Frequently asked questions
Can non-residents get a mortgage in Dubai?
Yes. UAE banks lend to non-residents at up to 50–60% loan-to-value on ready property, typically at 4.5–6% over terms up to 25 years, subject to nationality and income checks.
What deposit do I need as a non-resident buyer in Dubai?
Plan for 40–50% of the price as a deposit, plus 6–8% in transaction costs and roughly 1.25% in mortgage-related fees.
Can I get a mortgage on off-plan property in Dubai?
Generally only at or near handover. During construction the developer's payment plan acts as the financing, often interest-free.
What are current Dubai mortgage rates?
Typically 4.5–6% for non-residents, fixed for one to five years and then reverting to EIBOR plus a lender margin.
Next in this guide
Dubai Property Purchase Costs and Fees, Line by Line
Step 1 — EntryHow to Buy Property in Dubai as a Foreigner
Step 7 — StructureDubai Off-Plan Payment Plans: 10%, 20/80 and Post-Handover