UAE mortgage services
Aknaz helps every type of buyer with nine kinds of UAE home loan, and each page below answers one question first, in dirhams.
All nine services
How does a first-time buyer get a mortgage in Dubai?
A salaried expat can borrow up to 80% of the price below AED 5,000,000 if all monthly repayments stay within 50% of gross income. The eligibility check takes about 5 minutes. Banks also test your employer, credit record and the property, so the check shows your likely budget, not an approval.
How does a mortgage buyout or refinance work in the UAE?
Refinancing moves your mortgage to a new bank or deal for a lower rate, better terms or extra cash, and the new bank pays off the old loan. You pay an early-settlement fee, usually 1% of the balance (some banks waive it after 5 years). Whether it pays off depends on the new rate and fees.
Can a non-resident get a mortgage in the UAE?
Yes: selected UAE banks lend to non-residents at a lower loan-to-value than residents, and the property is registered in your name at the DLD. Salaried non-residents can borrow 60–65% and self-employed 50–60%, up to 65% with some banks. Limits vary by bank and by case.
How do self-employed buyers get a UAE mortgage?
Self-employed buyers qualify on business income shown in bank statements, under the same 50% debt-burden and loan-to-value rules as salaried buyers. Banks look for at least 1 year of trading. Our operations team prepares your income figures and your file for the bank, and a pre-approval takes about 7 working days.
How does Islamic home finance work in the UAE?
Islamic home finance uses Murabaha or Ijara instead of an interest-bearing loan, under the same loan-to-value and debt-burden limits. The 50% debt-burden ratio and the 80% first-home limit below AED 5,000,000 apply as for a conventional mortgage, and the same purchase fees are due.
Can you get a mortgage for an off-plan property in Dubai?
Yes, for selected projects: the loan is capped at 50% of the price, so you fund the other half, usually through the developer's payment plan. Which developers and projects qualify depends on the bank. The 50% debt-burden ratio and the term limits apply as for a ready property.
How does a resale mortgage work in Dubai?
The bank values the property and issues a final offer, then the transfer and mortgage registration happen at a DLD trustee office. If the seller has a mortgage, it is settled as part of the transfer. The buyer pays the DLD fee of 4% of the price and the other fees itemised below.
How do you finance the final payment at handover in Dubai?
Take a mortgage on the completed property to settle the final handover payment, subject to a valuation and the normal eligibility rules. The 50% debt-burden ratio applies to your income and repayments. The loan-to-value limit for handover is not published here yet, so we confirm it with the bank for your case.
How does equity release (cash-out) work on a UAE property?
Equity release is a mortgage on a property you own that returns part of its value to you as cash, within the Central Bank's lending limits. The 50% debt-burden ratio applies to your income and repayments. The loan-to-value limit for cash-out is not published here yet, so we confirm it with the bank.