Mortgage basics
Can I get a mortgage to buy an off-plan property in Dubai?
Yes, several UAE banks finance off-plan property in Dubai, though LTV is typically capped around 50% of the purchase price compared with up to 80% for ready homes. Not every project qualifies; banks maintain approved developer lists, and financing is usually only available once you've paid a set percentage to the developer directly.
Why off-plan mortgages work differently
Because the property doesn't exist yet, banks take on more construction and delivery risk, so they lend more conservatively than on completed units. LTV on off-plan purchases is typically capped around 50% of the purchase price, well below the up to 80% available on ready homes for an expat's first property under AED 5M, and lenders usually only fund once you've already paid a portion of the price directly to the developer under the payment plan.
Escrow accounts and Oqood registration
Every RERA-approved off-plan project must run its buyer payments through a regulated escrow account, so developer instalments can't be spent outside the project. Your interim ownership interest is registered as an Oqood (a pre-title registration) with the Dubai Land Department until the unit is complete, at which point it converts to a full title deed. Banks check both the escrow compliance and the Oqood status before agreeing to finance a unit.
Bank and project approval
- Banks maintain lists of approved developers and projects; unlisted projects often can't be financed
- Some banks require the project to have reached a certain construction percentage
- Escrow account compliance under RERA rules is checked as standard
- Interest/profit rates on off-plan finance can run slightly above ready-property rates at some banks
LTV comparison: off-plan vs ready
| Property type | Typical maximum LTV |
|---|---|
| Ready home, expat first property, under AED 5M | Up to 80% |
| Ready home, expat, above AED 5M | Up to 70% |
| Off-plan property | Around 50% |
| Second home / investment | Up to 60% |
Financing the handover and final payment
As the unit nears completion, you'll typically need to line up handover financing for the final instalment, and the developer NOC becomes the key document unlocking fund release and title conversion from Oqood to full title deed.
Fees and costs specific to off-plan
You'll still pay the standard 4% Dubai Land Department transfer fee and around 0.25% mortgage registration, on top of developer-specific charges. See DLD fees in Dubai and off-plan mortgages in Dubai for a fuller breakdown of what's due when.
Getting started
Check your affordability against the lower off-plan LTV first, since you'll need a larger deposit than on a ready property. Lenddoo's advisors can confirm which of the 18+ banks currently finance your specific project.
Run the numbers on your own case
Free Lenddoo tools and guides related to this article.
Last reviewed 26 June 2026
