Mortgage and equity release in Dubai
UAE banks lend to residents and non-residents. The difference is the down payment and the documents. Count the payment first, then we compare banks.
Estimate. Upfront cash includes the down payment, 4% DLD, trustee and mortgage registration, 2% agency fee and up to 1% bank fee with VAT. Rates change with EIBOR and differ by bank.
Get a pre-approval with the best rateHow much a bank will lend
Residents, first home up to AED 5M
Central Bank cap for expats. Above AED 5M the limit is 70%, for a second home 60%.
Non-residents
Several banks lend with income proof from abroad. Rates are a little higher.
Debt burden limit
All monthly loan payments together may not exceed half of your income.
years maximum term
Usually until 65 for salaried and 70 for self-employed borrowers.
Equity release: cash from a property you own
If your Dubai property is fully paid or the mortgage is small, a bank can lend against it. You get cash for a second purchase, an off-plan payment plan or a business, and keep the property.
- Cash-out on a fully owned property
- Top-up on your current mortgage
- Buy-out: moving the loan to a bank with a lower rate
- Released cash as the down payment for the next unit
Equity release calculator
Indicative. The limit depends on residency, income and the bank: residents usually up to 70 to 80% of value, non-residents around 50%.
Get a pre-approval with the best rateWhat banks ask for
Salaried
- Passport, visa and Emirates ID
- Salary certificate
- 6 months of bank statements
- Credit report (AECB), done by the bank
Self-employed
- Trade licence and memorandum
- 6 to 12 months of personal and company statements
- Audited accounts or proof of turnover
- Passport, visa and Emirates ID
Non-resident
- Passport
- Proof of income from your country
- 6 months of bank statements
- Credit report from your country, if available
Questions clients ask
Can a non-resident get a mortgage in Dubai?
Yes. Several UAE banks lend to non-residents, usually up to 50 to 60% of the property value, with income proof from abroad and a UAE bank account.
How much down payment do I need?
UAE residents buying their first home up to AED 5 million need at least 20% down, above AED 5 million at least 30%. Non-residents usually need 40 to 50%. Plus about 6 to 7% in fees.
What is equity release?
A new mortgage on a property you own outright, or a top-up on your current one. The bank pays out the difference between the new loan and what you owe, and you can use the cash for another purchase.
How long does approval take?
A pre-approval takes 3 to 7 working days with complete documents. Final approval after the valuation takes another 1 to 2 weeks.
Guides
Plain answers to what clients ask most often. Fees, steps and timelines as of 2026.
Tell me what you need
A name and a contact are enough. I reply within an hour in working time, in English or Russian, and say honestly whether I can help.
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