UAE mortgage questions, answered with full transparency

For expat residents buying a first property under AED 5M, the minimum down payment is generally 20% of the property value (15% for UAE nationals). Above AED 5M it rises to 30%, and for a second or investment property expect 40%. Non-residents typically need 40%–50%. Fees such as the 4% DLD transfer fee must be paid from your own funds.

Banks size your loan on affordability: total monthly debt repayments generally cannot exceed 50% of your monthly income, and the loan cannot exceed the maximum LTV for your profile. As a rough guide, many salaried buyers qualify for 5–7 times annual income — our comparison calculates the exact figure per lender.

Yes. Several UAE banks lend to non-residents on freehold properties in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, typically at 50%–60% LTV with shorter tenors and slightly higher rates. Eligibility depends on your country of residence, income currency and employment type. See our non-resident mortgage page for details.

Yes. Lenders will typically ask for a valid trade licence, 1–2 years of audited financials and 6–12 months of business and personal bank statements. Pricing and LTV can match salaried applicants when the file is packaged well, which is exactly where our advisors add value.

Fixed rates lock your payment for an introductory period (commonly 1–5 years) and then revert to a variable rate of bank margin plus EIBOR. Variable rates move with EIBOR from day one. Fixed suits buyers who want payment certainty; variable can be cheaper if you expect rates to fall or plan to sell or refinance soon. We model both over the full term so you compare total cost, not headline rate.

Typically: 4% Dubai Land Department transfer fee, bank arrangement fee of around 0.5%–1% of the loan, valuation fee of roughly AED 2,500–3,500, mortgage registration of 0.25% of the loan plus admin, life and property insurance, and agency commission of about 2% if you buy through an agent. Lenddoo's own fee is AED 0.

Up to 25 years for residential mortgages, subject to a maximum age at maturity of 65 for salaried applicants and 70 for self-employed applicants. Commercial mortgages generally cap at 15 years.

With a complete file, pre-approval usually comes back within 3–5 working days and is typically valid for 60 to 90 days. Getting pre-approved before you make an offer strengthens your negotiating position considerably.

Usually when your introductory fixed period has ended and you have reverted to a higher variable rate, when your property has appreciated, or when you want to release equity. Weigh the saving against early settlement fees (commonly capped at 1% of the outstanding balance or AED 10,000, whichever is lower) and the new bank's setup costs.

Yes. Equity release lets you borrow against the value your property has gained, subject to LTV limits and affordability. It is often used for a second property purchase, business capital or renovation, and is usually far cheaper than a personal loan.

Most UAE lenders allow annual partial overpayments of up to 20% of the outstanding balance without penalty. Full early settlement fees are regulated and typically capped at 1% of the outstanding amount or AED 10,000, whichever is lower.