Dubai Mortgages for Non-Residents
LTV limits, bank requirements, rates, and documentation. What UK/EU buyers need to know.
Non-Resident vs Resident Rules
Non-residents get lower LTV (50-60% vs 80%), stricter income requirements, and fewer bank options. Budget for a larger down payment than residents need.
Resident vs Non-Resident Mortgages
Key differences at a glance.
UAE Resident
- Max LTV (first property) 80%
- Max LTV (additional) 65-70%
- Min. down payment 20%
- Max term 25 years
- Bank options All UAE banks
Non-Resident
- Max LTV 50-60%
- Min. down payment 40-50%
- Max term 15-25 years
- Interest rates +0.25-0.5% premium
- Bank options Limited (HSBC, ENBD, etc.)
Banks Lending to Non-Residents
Not all UAE banks offer non-resident mortgages. Here are the main options.
| Bank | Max LTV | Min. Property | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| HSBC UAE | 60% | AED 500K | Best for UK expats. Global banking relationship helps. |
| Emirates NBD | 50% | AED 1M | Largest UAE bank. Strict income verification. |
| Mashreq | 50% | AED 1M | Fast processing. Good for investment properties. |
| Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank | 50% | AED 1M | Competitive rates for larger loans. |
| FAB (First Abu Dhabi) | 50% | AED 1M+ | Premium service. Higher minimum loan amounts. |
Current Interest Rate Environment
UAE mortgage rates track EIBOR (Emirates Interbank Offered Rate) plus a margin.
| Rate Type | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed (2-5 years) | 4.25% - 4.99% | Rate locked for initial period, then reverts to variable. |
| Variable | EIBOR + 1.75-2.5% | Currently ~4.5-5.5%. Moves with market rates. |
| Non-resident premium | +0.25% - 0.5% | Added to standard rates for non-residents. |
Mortgage Application Process
Typical timeline: 3-6 weeks from application to approval.
Pre-approval (1-2 weeks)
Submit documents, bank assesses your borrowing capacity. Get pre-approval letter before house hunting.
Property Selection
Find property, negotiate price, sign MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with seller.
Valuation (1 week)
Bank orders independent property valuation. Cost: AED 2,500-3,500.
Final Approval (1-2 weeks)
Bank reviews valuation, finalizes loan terms, issues offer letter.
Completion
Sign mortgage agreement, register with DLD (0.25% fee), transfer property.
Required Documents
Standard requirements. Banks may request additional documents.
Identity & Personal
- Valid passport (6+ months validity)
- Visa for current country of residence
- Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement)
- Emirates ID (if available)
Income Proof
- Last 6 months bank statements
- Last 3 months salary slips
- Employment letter with salary details
- Tax returns (last 2 years)
Self-Employed Additional
- Company registration documents
- Audited financial statements (2 years)
- Business bank statements (12 months)
- Tax returns with accountant certification
Property Documents
- Sale agreement / MOU
- Title deed copy (from seller)
- NOC from developer (if applicable)
- Property details / floor plan
Mortgage-Related Fees
Budget 1-1.5% of loan amount for mortgage fees.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| DLD Mortgage Registration | 0.25% of loan + AED 290 |
| Bank Processing Fee | 0.5% - 1% of loan amount |
| Property Valuation | AED 2,500 - 3,500 + VAT |
| Life Insurance (annual) | 0.3% - 0.6% of outstanding loan |
| Early Settlement Fee | Up to 1% (or 3 months interest) |