Dubai Mortgage - Get the Best Home Loan for Your Dubai Property

Yes, expats can get mortgages for Dubai properties in freehold areas. Expat residents can finance up to 75% of property value (25% down payment required), with maximum tenure of 25 years. Non-resident expats can also get mortgages with up to 60% financing (40% down payment). Popular freehold areas include Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Business Bay, and Dubai Hills Estate.

Minimum down payment for Dubai properties: UAE Nationals - 15-20% (up to 80-85% financing), Expat Residents - 20-25% (up to 75-80% financing), Non-Residents - 35-40% (up to 60-65% financing). First-time buyers may get slightly better terms. Properties valued above AED 5 million require higher down payments. Ready properties in prime locations like Downtown Dubai or Dubai Marina may get better LTV ratios than off-plan properties.

All major UAE banks offer competitive Dubai mortgage rates including Emirates NBD, Dubai Islamic Bank, ADCB, Mashreq Bank, RAK Bank, ENBD, FAB, and others. Rates vary by bank and your profile (3.49% to 4.75%). Rather than focusing on "best bank," compare personalized quotes from multiple banks as rates depend on your nationality, income, credit score, down payment, and property. As a mortgage broker, we help you compare offers from 18+ banks to find YOUR best rate.

Dubai mortgage approval timeline: Pre-approval (based on documents): 2-3 working days, Property valuation: 3-5 working days, Final approval: 5-7 working days, Documentation and fund disbursement: 5-7 working days. Total: 2-3 weeks for ready properties, 3-4 weeks for off-plan. Express processing available through some banks for qualified applicants. Our mortgage broker service expedites the process through established bank relationships.

Dubai Marina mortgage requirements are same as general Dubai mortgages but note: Marina is a prime freehold area with strong demand, properties here typically qualify for best rates (0.15-0.25% better than less established areas), most apartments are ready properties (faster approval than off-plan), high rental yields (5-7%) make buy-to-let viable, service charges are higher (AED 15-25 per sq ft), and property values range from AED 800K (studios) to AED 10M+ (penthouses). Banks readily finance Marina properties due to strong resale value.

Yes, most UAE banks offer mortgages for off-plan Dubai properties but with different terms: Payments are construction-linked (disbursed in stages as construction progresses), rates are typically 0.25-0.5% higher than ready properties, down payment requirements may be higher (30-35% for expats), and developer must be on bank's approved list. Popular off-plan areas include Dubai Hills Estate, Dubai Creek Harbour, Mohammed bin Rashid City. Always verify developer reputation and RERA registration before committing.

Dubai property purchase costs: Down payment (15-40% of property value), Dubai Land Department (DLD) registration fee (4% of property value for ready properties, 0.25% for off-plan), Trustee office fee (approx AED 4,000 + VAT), Mortgage registration fee (0.25% of loan amount), Property valuation fee (AED 2,500-3,500), Bank processing fee (0.25-1% of loan amount), Property insurance (AED 800-2,000 annually), and Real estate agent commission (typically 2% paid by seller). Total additional costs: approximately 5-7% of property value.

Buy vs rent decision depends on your situation: BUY if: Planning to stay 5+ years, have 25-40% down payment, monthly mortgage payment similar to or less than rent, property prices expected to appreciate, rental yields are strong (5-8%), or seeking golden visa eligibility. RENT if: Staying less than 3 years, prefer liquidity and flexibility, down payment yields better returns elsewhere, or uncertain about long-term plans. October 2025 market: Rental yields of 5-8% in most Dubai areas make buying attractive for long-term residents. Use our mortgage calculator to compare monthly payments vs current rent.