Can you get a mortgage in Abu Dhabi as an expat?
Yes, but the rules cap how much you can borrow. Here's how much, and what banks look for.
Yes. UAE Central Bank rules let expats borrow up to 80% on a first home worth Dh5 million or less, so you need at least a 20% deposit, plus fees. [1] If you live outside the UAE, expect banks to ask for more. Use our cost calculator to see your deposit and fees together.
How much can you borrow?
The UAE Central Bank sets the maximum loan as a share of the property's value: [1]
| Your situation | Maximum loan | Minimum deposit |
|---|---|---|
| First home, Dh5 million or less | 80% | 20% |
| First home, over Dh5 million | 70% | 30% |
| Second home or investment property | 60% | 40% |
| Off-plan property (any buyer) | 50% | 50% |
What else do banks look at?
Can non-residents get a mortgage?
Often, yes, but it's harder. The Central Bank doesn't set a separate limit for people living abroad, but many banks lend them less than residents and ask for more paperwork, such as overseas bank statements and proof of income. Ask two or three banks, or a mortgage broker, before you commit to a property.
What's the catch?
Read these before you sign anything.
Off-plan needs a bigger deposit.
Banks can only lend 50% on homes that aren't built yet, so most off-plan buyers pay the developer's instalments from their own money.
The cap is a ceiling, not a promise.
Banks can lend less than the maximum, especially to non-residents or self-employed buyers.
Rates move.
Many mortgages are fixed for the first few years, then move with interest rates. Check what happens to your payment when the fixed period ends.
What should you read next?
Three guides that follow on from this one.
See all guides
Not sure what you can borrow?
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