Mortgage in Dubai for Foreigners: Detailed Guide, Conditions, and Expert Tips

Published: July 28, 2025 Reading time ~

At first glance, getting a mortgage in Dubai may seem out of reach: another country, another currency, different laws and requirements. But today it’s a completely different story — the UAE property market is more open than ever to international investors.

Now even non-residents can apply for a mortgage to purchase property in Dubai. The process is transparent, logical, and comparable in speed to many European countries. The key is to understand the rules and choose a reliable partner.

Why consider a mortgage as an investment tool

You don’t need to invest 100% upfront — freeing capital for other goals or additional properties
A mortgage allows you to spread most of the cost over up to 25 years
Rates are around 5.5%–6.5% per annum — lower than in many EU and CIS countries
You can rent the property immediately and cover mortgage payments with rental income — especially in high-demand areas
The Dirham (AED) is pegged to the US Dollar — reducing currency risks
Lending in the UAE is strictly regulated by the Central Bank, making the process as transparent as possible

Who is eligible for a mortgage in Dubai

Foreign investors without UAE residency
UAE residents with an employment contract
Business owners — with documents (tax returns, reports, bank statements)

Important: mortgages are only available for completed (ready) properties. Off-plan projects are not financed by banks — in this case, consider payment plan options with post-handover terms.

What can you buy with a mortgage in Dubai?

Ready property

Apartments in residential complexes
Villas and townhouses
Commercial property (limited — not all banks support it)

Requirements:

Located in a freehold zone
Registered with DLD (with a valid Title Deed)
Project approved by the bank

What you cannot buy with a mortgage in Dubai

1. Plots of land (Plots)

Banks do not finance the purchase of empty plots
Even in freehold zones — exceptions are extremely rare

2. Property in projects not approved by the bank

Some small or new developers are not accredited by banks
Without accreditation, the bank will not grant a mortgage even if the property is good

3. Hotel-managed apartments

If the unit is operated as part of a hotel pool — most banks will reject
Exception: if the unit is for your personal use and has no rental restrictions

Step-by-step mortgage process

1. Selecting banks to apply with

Each case is unique — a mortgage broker will select the most suitable banks based on your nationality, employment, and banking history

2. Pre-approval

Submit documents: passport, 6-month bank statements, income certificate or tax returns, employment contract
Pre-approval does not affect your international credit score — rejection will not harm your profile

3. Property selection

Only ready property with Title Deed
Not every ready unit qualifies — bank approval depends on the project, developer, handover year, and location
Signing the sale and purchase agreement (SPA)

4. Final approval

The bank evaluates the property and confirms the rate, term, and repayment schedule
Final offer signing (physical presence in UAE required)

5. Deal registration

Complete the transaction with the seller — you receive the Title Deed, mortgage registration, and keys

Most of the process can be completed remotely. Physical presence in the UAE is only required at the final mortgage signing stage — everything prior can be organized remotely by your Space8 manager.

You don’t need to be present at the closing — your notarized Power of Attorney can represent you.

Initial payment and terms

The higher the property value, the higher the down payment might be

Rates, duration, currency

Interest rate for non-residents: 5.5%–6.5% annually (fixed or variable)
Term: up to 25 years
Age at loan maturity: max 65 years
Currency: AED
Difference: fixed rate stays unchanged, variable rate moves with the market

Banks working with foreigners

Emirates NBD
Mashreq Bank
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB)
HSBC
Standard Chartered
First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB)

Timeline for getting a mortgage

Pre-approval: 5–8 business days
Final approval: 1.5–2 months
Entire process: 6 to 8 weeks

Additional costs

Note: some banks may offer extra services. Space8 calculates all mandatory fees in advance and helps avoid unnecessary options.

Specifics for self-employed and business owners

The bank must be confident in your income stability, so you’ll need to provide detailed information including:

Personal credit report (from your country)
Bank statements (usually 12 months)
Company license (Trade License / Commercial Register)
Audited financial reports ( 1–2 years)
Income tax declarations

Income is based on average revenue:

The bank assesses your average income based on account activity and reports
They may consider only 50–70% of revenue
Net profit is more important than total turnover

NOTES:

For self-employed, the down payment requirement may be higher due to income instability
Very few banks work with self-employed due to risk
The process takes longer for business owners and freelancers due to stricter documentation review

What helps in such cases:

Working with a trusted mortgage broker
Stable income in a strong currency (AED, USD, EUR, GBP)
Good credit history in your home country
Providing as much detailed documentation as possible

Common concerns and how we address them

“I won’t get approved — I’m not a resident”

On the contrary — over 60% of Dubai mortgages are issued to foreign investors. What matters is providing the right documentation and securing pre-approval

“It’s too complicated, I’ll get lost”

Space8 handles everything: from document collection to final transaction. We explain every clause in your contract

“They’ll impose unfavorable terms”

We pre-agree on the repayment schedule, interest type, term, and extra costs — only what you need

“I’m afraid of hidden fees”

No surprises — all costs are calculated in advance. We share a full breakdown before applying to the bank

“My income is non-standard — I’m self-employed”

We work with freelancers, entrepreneurs, and business owners. The key is clear documentation and income stability

“I don’t speak English”

Your personal Space8 manager speaks multiple languages. We translate everything and explain banking terms clearly

“Can I register the property under my spouse or someone else?”

The property must be registered under the name of the mortgage applicant. In case of spouses, joint ownership is possible if both provide income proof

“What if I want to sell before repaying the loan?”

Bank approval is required. We handle the request and full process. The remaining loan is transferred to the buyer (if they’re also approved), or repaid in full during the transaction

“Can I rent out the property while paying the mortgage?”

Yes. In fact, rental income often covers your monthly mortgage payments. Choosing a liquid project is key. This is a popular strategy among investors who want to start getting returns from day one

“What happens if something happens to me?”

It’s common in Dubai (and our recommendation) to draft a will. We assist with the process and advise on inheritance

“Does property in other countries affect bank approval?”

No. The key criteria are income and ability to repay

“Can I repay the mortgage early?”

Yes, early repayment is allowed. The bank typically charges a fee — around 0.5% to 1% of the prepaid amount

How Space8 helps with mortgage

Space8 has an in-house mortgage advisor who manages the entire process — from calculation to transaction. We don’t hand clients over to third-party brokers — your manager and lawyer stay with you throughout.

We select the bank based on your goals and profile
Compare interest rates, currencies, and repayment plans
Help collect documents and open a bank account
Support you until you receive the Title Deed
Translate and explain every step

With our Investor Care System, you always know what’s happening and can make informed decisions. A mortgage isn’t a burden — it’s a tool for scaling. Want to calculate your strategy?