How does a first-time buyer get a mortgage in Dubai?
Updated: · By Aknaz Mortgages, RERA ORN 48584
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.
Who this is for
- First-time buyers in the UAE: salaried or self-employed, expats or UAE nationals.
- Buyers who want to know their budget and deposit before they view property.
- Employees with a car loan, personal loan or credit cards who are unsure how those affect the loan.
Key numbers
| Rule | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum debt-burden ratio (all monthly repayments ÷ gross monthly income) | 50% |
| Maximum loan-to-value, expat first home below AED 5,000,000 | 80% |
| Minimum monthly salary | from AED 10,000 |
| Maximum mortgage term | 25 years |
Sources: CBUAE Mortgage Loans Regulation; UAE bank practice (varies by bank). Figures checked on .
What banks look for
- Your repayments. All monthly repayments, the new mortgage included, must stay within 50% of your gross income.
- Your deposit. Below AED 5,000,000, the loan can reach 80% of the price, and you pay the rest.
- Your income. A steady salary, usually from AED 10,000 a month. Your advisor tells you which banks fit yours.
- The property. The bank values it and lends on the lower of the price and the valuation.
We do the numbers
You do not need to work any of this out yourself. Your advisor checks your figures against each bank’s rules, tells you which banks fit and what you can borrow, and submits your application the same day.
How long it takes
The eligibility check takes about 5 minutes. We submit your application to the bank the same day, and the bank's pre-approval comes back in 5 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
How much deposit do I need as a first-time buyer?
An expat needs at least 20% of the price for a first home below AED 5,000,000, because the loan is capped at 80%. At AED 5,000,000 and above the cap is 70%, so the deposit is at least 30%. Purchase fees are paid on top.
Do my existing loans and cards affect what I can borrow?
Yes. Banks look at your existing commitments when they set the loan, and each bank treats them in its own way. Your advisor works out what counts for your profile and which banks fit before anything is submitted, so you apply with the right bank first.
Is the eligibility check a bank pre-approval?
No. The eligibility check is an estimate from your own figures, using the 50% debt-burden ratio and the loan-to-value limit. The bank's pre-approval comes once we submit your application, in 5 minutes, and stays valid for 30–90 days.
Related guides and tools
Sources
See these rules applied to your salary
An estimate in about 5 minutes.