Questions, answered plainly.

For a first home, expatriate residents can borrow up to 80% of a property valued at AED 5 million or less and 70% above that. UAE nationals can borrow up to 85% and 75%. Second and later homes are limited to 60% for expatriates and 65% for nationals, regardless of value. The band applies to the whole value of the property. Try the calculator.

50% of the value, for every borrower, regardless of purpose. Banks finance off plan only for approved developers and projects, typically once construction is at least 35% complete and handover is within 24 months, on units bought directly from the developer. Check an off plan unit.

All your monthly debt instalments, including the new mortgage, personal and car loans, may not exceed 50% of your gross monthly income. Banks also count about 5% of each credit card limit as a monthly commitment, even if the card is unused, so reducing unused limits can increase what you can borrow. Check your borrowing capacity.

Yes. Under Central Bank rules a mortgage may not exceed 7 times annual income for expatriates or 8 times for UAE nationals, in addition to the debt burden test.

Up to 25 years. Since 2019 each bank sets the maximum age at final repayment; 65 to 70 for salaried expatriates and 70 for UAE nationals and the self employed are common, which can shorten the term for older borrowers.

The Dubai Land Department transfer fee of 4% of the price, title deed and DLD charges of about AED 520, a registration trustee fee of AED 4,000 plus VAT for sales of AED 500,000 or more, and with a mortgage, a mortgage registration fee of 0.25% of the loan plus AED 270. Banks add processing and valuation fees, and an agent usually charges 2% plus VAT on a secondary purchase. Itemise your costs.

Officially it is split 2% buyer and 2% seller, but by market convention the buyer usually pays the full 4%. It is agreed in the sale terms.

No. Since 1 February 2025 banks may not add DLD or agency fees to the mortgage; they are paid in cash.

There is no Central Bank cap on processing fees. Banks typically charge between nothing and 1% of the loan plus VAT, and some reduce or waive it for certain transactions.

Most banks require life cover for the outstanding loan and property insurance for the building, usually charged monthly. Typical life cover costs are around 0.018% of the outstanding loan a month; property cover varies with the value and the bank.

A fixed rate holds your payment for an agreed period, typically one to five years, then moves to a follow on rate. A variable rate follows EIBOR from the start. Fixed suits buyers who value certainty; variable can cost less if EIBOR falls. Read the guide.

The Emirates Interbank Offered Rate, published daily by the Central Bank. Variable and follow on rates are usually 1 or 3 month EIBOR plus a bank margin. 3 month EIBOR was 4.30% at the fixing of 20 October 2026.

Yes. The Central Bank caps the early settlement fee at 1% of the outstanding balance or AED 10,000, whichever is less. Many offers also allow annual partial prepayments without charge. See whether refinancing saves you money.

Yes, from banks that lend to non residents. There is no Central Bank band; lenders typically finance 50% to 65% of a ready property, set minimum income levels and accept selected nationalities and income sources. Start the non resident journey.

Passport, residence visa and Emirates ID, a recent salary certificate, payslips and personal bank statements for the last six months, and statements for any loans and cards.

Identity documents, the trade licence and Memorandum of Association, two years of audited financial statements, company bank statements for about twelve months and personal statements for six months. Most banks expect at least two years of trading.

Passport, proof of overseas address, income evidence such as payslips or company accounts, bank statements (three to six months depending on the bank) and, at some banks, a credit report from the country of residence. Documents not in English or Arabic need a certified translation.

Usually 30 to 90 days, depending on the bank. A pre approval is an indication of what a bank may lend, subject to valuation and final approval; it is not a commitment.

Pre approval can take a few working days once documents are complete. Valuation, final offer and transfer typically follow over two to four weeks, depending on the bank, the seller's lender and the trustee appointment.

Calculator results on this site are estimates. A pre approval is a bank's conditional view of your eligibility. Final approval follows the valuation and full underwriting, and the mortgage is only granted when the bank issues its offer and the loan is registered. Start an assessment.

Castilion Estates is the trading name of Castilion Realty L.L.C., a Dubai real estate investment advisory registered with the Real Estate Regulatory Agency under ORN 46392 and licensed as a Real Estate Mortgage Broker.

Our mortgage advisory service is free to the client unless a fee is agreed in writing beforehand. Banks may pay us a commission on completion, which does not increase your cost of finance, and we disclose its source on request.

No. Castilion is a mortgage broker. Approval, rates and terms are decided by the lender, subject to its credit assessment, valuation and Central Bank regulation.