New: DLD First-Time Home Buyer Programme now live — priority developer access + discounted pricing · Am I eligible? →
Home Purchase & Resale Mortgages in Dubai & UAE
Home purchase mortgages finance ready residential property — whether resale from a private seller or new from a developer — across Dubai and the wider UAE. Up to 80% LTV for expat residents and 85% for UAE nationals on properties under AED 5M with tenures up to 25 years, popular in communities like JVC, Damac Hills and Downtown Dubai. Most banks require a minimum monthly salary in the AED 10,000–15,000 range for salaried applicants, varying by bank.
Compare Home Purchase Mortgages Across 20+ CBUAE-Regulated Banks
Licensed & Regulated Mortgage Consultancy in the UAE | DLD-Registered Brokerage
Home purchase mortgages finance ready residential property — whether resale bought from a private seller, or new-from-developer stock ready for handover. Under Central Bank of the UAE regulations, expat residents can borrow up to 80% LTV and UAE nationals up to 85% LTV on a qualifying first home valued under AED 5 million, with tenures up to 25 years. Most banks require a minimum monthly salary in the AED 10,000–15,000 range for salaried applicants, varying by bank and by salary-transfer status.
Down Payment & EMI Calculator
Max Loan Amount (80% LTV)
AED 2M
Min Down Payment
AED 400K
Est. Monthly EMI
AED 8,893
Total Upfront Costs
AED 483K
Total Interest (25yr)
AED 1M
Down Payment / DLD / Valuation
AED 400K + AED 80K + AED 3K
Estimate only, based on an illustrative 4.5% rate — not a live bank quote. Actual rate, LTV and eligibility depend on lender, salary-transfer status (salary-transfer applicants may see different terms) and profile. Total upfront costs shown exclude DLD mortgage registration, agent commission, broker fee and insurance — see the full upfront cost breakdown below. No upfront broker fee — payable only on successful bank disbursal. Full fee details are confirmed in writing before you submit any application.
Get Approval in Principle for a AED 2M propertyWho This Mortgage Is For
- Up to 80% LTV on properties under AED 5M (20% minimum down payment)
- Most banks require a minimum monthly salary in the AED 10,000–15,000 range, varying by bank
- Typically need 1+ months in your current role for salaried applicants; longer for self-employed
- May qualify for the DLD First-Time Home Buyer Programme — see the dedicated section below for eligibility
LTV & Down Payment
Per Central Bank of the UAE Regulations Regarding Mortgage Loans.
| Buyer Type | Property Value | Max LTV | Min Down Payment | AED 2M Worked Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAE National — First Home | Up to AED 5M | 85% | 15% | AED 2M property → AED 300,000 down payment |
| UAE National — First Home | Above AED 5M | 75% | 25% | AED 6M property → AED 1,500,000 down payment |
| Expat Resident — First Home | Up to AED 5M | 80% | 20% | AED 2M property → AED 400,000 down payment |
| Expat Resident — First Home | Above AED 5M | 70% | 30% | AED 6M property → AED 1,800,000 down payment |
| UAE Resident — Second Home | Any | 60% | 40% | AED 2M property → AED 800,000 down payment |
| UAE National — Second Home | Any | 65% | 35% | AED 2M property → AED 700,000 down payment |
Full Upfront Cost Breakdown
Worked example: AED 2,000,000 property, expat resident, first home, 20% down payment.
| Item | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Down payment (20%) | 20% of property value | AED 400,000 |
| DLD transfer fee | 4% of property value | AED 80,000 |
| DLD mortgage registration fee | 0.25% of loan amount + AED 290 | AED 4,290 |
| DLD trustee fee | Flat fee | AED 2,000–4,000 |
| Agent commission | ~2% of property value | AED 40,000 |
| Bank processing fee | ~1% of loan amount | AED 16,000 |
| Property valuation | Flat fee | AED 2,500–3,500 |
| Broker fee | No upfront broker fee — payable only on successful bank disbursal. Full fee details are confirmed in writing before you submit any application. | See note |
| Life insurance | ~0.4–0.9% of loan p.a. | AED 6,400–14,400 |
| Property insurance | ~0.05% of property value p.a. | AED 1,000 |
Documents Required
- Passport
- Emirates ID
- UAE residence visa
- Salary certificate (salaried) or trade licence + financials (self-employed)
- Bank statements (typically last 6 months)
- Property listing / MOU / Form F
- Existing loan liability letters, if any
- NOC from developer (for resale)
New in Dubai: The DLD First-Time Home Buyer Programme
Launched in July 2025 by the Dubai Land Department, the DLD First-Time Home Buyer Programme gives eligible first-time buyers priority access to new developer launches — including from Emaar and Nakheel — alongside discounted pricing, flexible payment plans and reduced upfront costs.
Eligibility
- UAE resident and Emirates ID holder
- No prior UAE property ownership
- Meets standard income and debt-burden-ratio (DBR) criteria
- Purchase price under AED 5,000,000, subject to current programme guidelines
Apartment vs Villa vs Townhouse
| Apartment | Villa | Townhouse | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical LTV | Up to 80% | Up to 80% | Up to 80% |
| Typical property value range | AED 500K–3M | AED 2M–15M+ | AED 1M–5M |
| Building-age relevance to financing | Can affect valuation and insurance on older towers | Land + structure age both assessed | Community age can affect valuation |
| Service-charge / DBR impact | Service charges factored into affordability | Often lower per-sqft service charges | Community service charges apply |
| Insurance considerations | Building insurance often shared via service charge | Owner typically arranges standalone building insurance | Varies by community structure |
| Common freehold zones | Downtown, Marina, JLT, JVC, Business Bay | Damac Hills, Arabian Ranches, Dubai Hills | JVC, DAMAC, Villanova, Al Furjan |
| Typical tenure | Up to 25 years | Up to 25 years | Up to 25 years |
Bank Comparison
| Bank | Best For |
|---|---|
| HSBC | Expat professionals, international banking relationships |
| Emirates NBD | Broad panel of resale & new-purchase products |
| First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) | UAE nationals and higher-value properties |
| ADCB | Salary-transfer applicants |
| ADIB | Sharia-compliant home finance |
| Mashreq | Fast-track digital application process |
| Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) | Sharia-compliant home finance |
| Standard Chartered | Non-resident and international applicants |
Last updated 9 October 2026.
What We Offer
Our resale / new purchase solutions come with a range of features designed to meet your specific needs.
Competitive interest rates from 3.99%
Flexible repayment terms up to 25 years
Quick and efficient approval process
Low down payment options starting from 20%
Specialized solutions for both UAE residents and non-residents
Support with paperwork and documentation
Key Benefits
Why choose our resale / new purchase solution and how it can benefit you.
Get on the property ladder with affordable financing options
Take advantage of the UAE's growing real estate market
Build equity and wealth through property ownership
Potentially benefit from capital appreciation over time
Enjoy tax-free property ownership in the UAE
Fixed rate options available for payment stability
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for our resale / new purchase solution, you'll typically need to meet the following requirements.
Minimum monthly income of AED 10,000
Employment stability (typically 1+ months in current job)
Valid residency visa for UAE residents
Passport and proof of income for non-residents
The 7-Step Home Purchase Process
Here's what to expect when applying for our resale / new purchase solution.
Free consultation (Day 0)
We review your income, residency status and target property type to map out realistic LTV, down payment and monthly EMI before you commit to anything.
Approval in Principle (AIP) (Day 1–2)
We submit your documents across our bank panel to secure an Approval in Principle, typically valid for 60 days, giving you a firm budget to shop with.
Property selection & Form F / MOU signing (Week 1–2)
Once you've chosen a property, you sign Form F (for resale) or the developer's MOU and pay a 10% deposit into agent escrow. For resale purchases with an existing mortgage on the property, we also arrange the seller's Liability Letter.
NOC from developer (Week 2)
The developer issues a No Objection Certificate confirming the property is clear to transfer, typically within 3–5 working days.
Bank valuation & final approval (Week 2–3)
The bank instructs an independent valuation and, once satisfied, issues a final offer letter — typically valid for 30 days.
DLD registration & transfer appointment (Week 3–4)
We coordinate the Dubai Land Department transfer appointment: 4% DLD transfer fee plus 0.25% of the loan amount + AED 290 mortgage registration fee are settled at this stage.
Funds disbursed & keys handed over (Same day as step 6)
The bank disburses funds directly at the DLD transfer appointment and you receive the keys the same day.
Typically 4–6 weeks from consultation to keys for a salaried expat buyer purchasing a resale apartment — timing is illustrative, not a guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment do I need for a property purchase in UAE?
For UAE residents, the minimum down payment is typically 20% for the first property and 25% for subsequent properties. For non-residents, it's usually 25-30% depending on the property and lender. Government employees may qualify for lower down payment requirements with certain banks.
How long does the mortgage approval process take?
Pre-approval typically takes 2-3 business days. Full mortgage approval generally takes 1-2 weeks after submitting all required documentation. The entire process from application to property transfer typically takes 4-6 weeks for a salaried expat buyer purchasing a resale apartment, depending on the complexity of the case and the bank's procedures.
Can I get a mortgage if I'm self-employed?
Yes, self-employed individuals can obtain mortgages, but the requirements are more stringent. You'll typically need to provide additional documentation including trade licenses, audited financial statements for 2-3 years, bank statements, and possibly higher down payments. Some banks specialize in self-employed mortgages.
What is an Approval in Principle (AIP) and why do I need one?
An Approval in Principle is a bank's preliminary confirmation of how much it's willing to lend you, based on your income and documentation, before you've selected a specific property. It's typically valid for 60 days and gives you a firm budget so you can make offers with confidence and move quickly once you find the right property.
What is the DLD First-Time Home Buyer Programme?
Launched by the Dubai Land Department in July 2025, the programme gives eligible first-time buyers priority access to new developer launches (including from Emaar and Nakheel), discounted pricing, flexible payment plans and reduced upfront costs. Eligibility generally requires UAE residency, no prior UAE property ownership and a purchase price under AED 5,000,000, subject to current programme guidelines.
Does financing work differently for an apartment versus a villa?
The core CBUAE LTV rules are the same regardless of property type — up to 80% for expat residents and 85% for UAE nationals on qualifying first homes. What can differ is the property value range, building age and service-charge/DBR considerations a bank weighs during underwriting — your consultant can flag anything specific to the unit you're considering.
Can I get a mortgage on a resale property that still has an existing mortgage on it?
Yes — this is a routine resale scenario. The seller's bank issues a Liability Letter confirming the outstanding balance, which is settled at the DLD transfer appointment as part of the transaction, alongside your new mortgage disbursement.
What's the minimum salary needed to qualify for a home purchase mortgage?
There's no single universal figure — most banks require a minimum monthly salary in the AED 10,000–15,000 range for salaried applicants, varying by bank and by whether you transfer your salary to the lending bank. Self-employed applicants are assessed differently, based on trade licence history and financials.
More Questions About Buying in the UAE
Not Quite What You Need?
Non-Resident Mortgage
Live outside the UAE and want to buy Dubai property → different LTV cap, different documentation.
Off-Plan Mortgage
Buying direct-from-developer at pre-construction stage → 50% LTV cap, phased disbursement.
Buyout / Refinance
Already have a UAE mortgage and want a lower rate → different process, coordinated settlement.
Need Expert Guidance?
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Ready to Move Forward?
Our mortgage experts are ready to help you secure the best resale / new purchase solution for your needs. Contact us today for a personalized consultation.