Eligibility
What is the maximum I can take as a mortgage?
Your maximum UAE mortgage is the lower of two limits: the loan-to-value cap (typically 80% for an expat's first home, less for higher-value or investment property), and the amount your income supports under the debt burden ratio cap of typically 50% of gross monthly income after existing debts.
The two limits that set your ceiling
Banks calculate your maximum mortgage using two independent tests, and whichever gives the lower amount is what you can actually borrow:
- Loan-to-value (LTV) limit — based on property price, residency status and whether it's a first home, second home or off-plan purchase
- Debt burden ratio (DBR) limit — based on your income, existing liabilities, and the maximum monthly instalment you can afford within the 50% cap
Borrowing capacity by income
At an indicative 3.89% fixed rate over 25 years, each AED 1,000 of monthly instalment supports roughly AED 192,000 of loan principal on a reducing-balance basis. Here's how that translates into maximum loan size by gross monthly income, assuming no existing debts and the full 50% DBR headroom is used:
| Gross monthly income | Max monthly instalment (50% DBR) | Approx. maximum loan |
|---|---|---|
| AED 15,000 | AED 7,500 | ~AED 1,440,000 |
| AED 20,000 | AED 10,000 | ~AED 1,920,000 |
| AED 30,000 | AED 15,000 | ~AED 2,880,000 |
| AED 50,000 | AED 25,000 | ~AED 4,800,000 |
Worked example
Say you earn AED 30,000/month with no existing debts. At a 50% DBR cap, your maximum monthly mortgage instalment is around AED 15,000, which at an indicative 3.89% over 25 years supports a loan of roughly AED 2.88 million. If the property costs AED 2 million and you're an expat resident buying your first home (80% LTV), the LTV limit alone would allow AED 1.6 million. In this case, the LTV limit is the binding constraint, not your income.
Factors that reduce your maximum
- Existing loans, credit cards or car finance (reduces DBR headroom — banks typically count around 5% of a credit card limit as a monthly obligation)
- Buying a second or investment property (lower LTV)
- Age close to the maturity cap (shorter term, higher instalment for the same amount)
- Off-plan property (LTV typically capped at 50%)
Use the mortgage calculator to model different loan amounts and terms, and see required documents to prepare your application.
Run the numbers on your own case
Free Lenddoo tools and guides related to this article.
Last reviewed 19 July 2026
