Mortgage Financing in UAE

If you’re planning to buy a property in Dubai or anywhere in the UAE on instalments, choosing the right mortgage financing in UAE is not only about the rate. You also need to factor in the down payment, total fees, repayment flexibility, and whether the monthly instalment fits your income and existing obligations. At Laguna Life, we help you prepare your file and manage the process with banks step by step—while keeping it clear that the final approval and lending terms are always determined by the bank under its credit policy and Central Bank regulations.

If you’re planning to buy a property in Dubai or anywhere in the UAE on instalments, choosing the right mortgage financing in UAE is not only about the rate. You also need to factor in the down payment, total fees, repayment flexibility, and whether the monthly instalment fits your income and existing obligations. At Laguna Life, we help you prepare your file and manage the process with banks step by step—while keeping it clear that the final approval and lending terms are always determined by the bank under its credit policy and Central Bank regulations.
   - UAE Nationals – first home / owner-occupier: up to 80% (≤ AED 5M) or 70% (> AED 5M). 
   - UAE Nationals – second home / investment: up to 65%. 
   - Expat residents – first home / owner-occupier: up to 75% (< AED 5M) or 65% (> AED 5M). 
   - Expat residents – second home / investment: up to 60%. 
   - Off-plan properties: up to 50%. 
 • Age at last instalment (indicative): may be up to 70 for UAE Nationals and 65 for expat residents (self-employed cases can differ by bank). 
 • Early settlement: banks apply early settlement fees within regulatory caps (typically a percentage of the outstanding balance with a maximum cap

 How Laguna Life helps
 We don’t “issue” mortgages—we make it easier for you to obtain one by structuring your application and coordinating the workflow:
 1) Quick readiness check: income, liabilities, down payment, and goal (end-use vs investment). 
 2) Compare conventional and Islamic options, and explain fixed vs variable vs hybrid structures. 
 3) Document preparation to reduce back-and-forth and speed up decisioning. 
 4) Track the journey: pre-approval, valuation, then final offer. 
 5) Closing coordination: signatures, payments, transfer/registration and mortgage registration where required.
 
 What we compare for you across banks
 • Pricing structure: fixed for an initial period then variable, or variable linked to benchmarks such as EIBOR + margin. 
 • Bank fees: processing/arrangement fees can commonly range from ~0.5% to around 1.05% (depending on the bank and campaigns), plus valuation fees that may fall in the AED 2,625–3,150 range for completed properties at some banks. 
 • Insurance: property insurance and life insurance/takaful depending on the product. 
 • Flexibility: annual partial prepayment allowances, partial/early settlement fees, and buyout/refinance options. 
 • Eligibility requirements: minimum salary, salary transfer vs non-transfer, and extra documents for self-employed clients or non-residents.
 
Property & government fees you should budget for (Dubai focus)
 • Mortgage registration: in Dubai, mortgage registration is commonly charged at 0.25% of the mortgage value, plus administrative/knowledge/innovation fees depending on the transaction and service channel. 
 • Transfer/registration costs: vary by emirate; in Dubai, there are transfer fees based on the sale value and trustee/registration office charges. 
 (Note: some charges are paid by the buyer directly and are not financed within the loan amount.)
 
Why Laguna Life
 • Clear decisions: we focus on total cost, not just the advertised rate.  
 • Hands-on coordination: bank + agent/developer + registration touchpoints to reduce delays.  
 • Experience with residents & non-residents: we proactively address common issues before they become blockers.
FAQ

 1) What is the minimum down payment for a UAE mortgage? 
 It depends on your residency status, property value, and whether it’s ready or off-plan. Indicatively, expat residents buying a first home under AED 5M may be financed up to 75% (25% down payment), while UAE Nationals may be financed up to 80% (20% down payment). Off-plan financing can be lower (e.g., 50%). Banks may require higher equity based on risk.
 
 2) Can non-residents get a mortgage in the UAE? 
 Some banks do offer non-resident mortgages, but LTV is typically lower and documentation is more extensive (overseas income proof, longer bank statements, and specific account/transfer requirements). Tenor and pricing can differ as well. We help you shortlist realistic options before submitting applications.
 
 3) What’s the difference between Islamic and conventional mortgages? 
 The main difference is the structure: conventional mortgages are interest-based, while Islamic home finance uses Sharia-compliant contracts (e.g., Murabaha/Ijara) with a profit rate. In practice, you still compare similar items: rate/profit, processing fees, valuation, and insurance/takaful—while the calculation method may vary by product.
 
 4) What documents do I need for pre-approval? 
 Commonly required: Emirates ID/passport and valid visa, salary certificate or income proof, bank statements (often 3–6 months), details of existing loans/credit cards, and proof of down payment. Self-employed applicants may need a trade licence and company financials. Requirements can vary by bank and property type.
 
5) What extra fees should I budget for besides the monthly instalment? 
 Beyond the down payment, consider bank processing fees, valuation fees, insurance, and government charges. In Dubai, transfer fees apply based on the sale value, and mortgage registration is commonly charged at 0.25% of the mortgage value, plus certain admin fees. We’ll outline the expected items based on your emirate and transaction type.