How much mortgage can I get in the UAE?

In the UAE, your maximum mortgage is capped by two rules: the Debt Burden Ratio (DBR) limit of 50% of gross monthly income, and the Loan-to-Value (LTV) limit set by the UAE Central Bank (75% for expats on properties under AED 5M, 80% for UAE nationals). Your maximum mortgage is whichever is lower between what the DBR formula allows and the LTV-based maximum loan amount.

What is the UAE Debt Burden Ratio (DBR)?

The Debt Burden Ratio (DBR) is the percentage of your gross monthly income that goes towards all debt repayments — including the new mortgage, car loans, personal loans, and credit card minimums. UAE Central Bank rules cap the total DBR at 50%. This means if you earn AED 30,000/month, your total monthly debt repayments cannot exceed AED 15,000.

What is the minimum salary to get a mortgage in the UAE?

Most UAE banks require a minimum gross monthly salary of AED 10,000–15,000 for mortgage applications. However, the practical minimum depends on the property price — your salary must support the monthly EMI within the 50% DBR cap. For a AED 1M mortgage at 4% over 25 years (EMI ~AED 5,300/month), you typically need a salary of at least AED 15,000/month.

Can I include rental income in my UAE mortgage affordability assessment?

Some UAE banks accept rental income as part of the income assessment for investment property mortgages, typically at 50–75% of the contractual rent amount. Owner-occupier mortgages generally require employment income as the primary income source. Self-employed applicants can use audited business accounts (typically 2+ years) as proof of income.

UAE Home Affordability Calculator

Use Mortigo's free home affordability calculator to find out how much property you can afford to buy in the UAE. Enter your monthly income, existing commitments, and preferred loan term to instantly see your maximum borrowing power based on current UAE mortgage rates and Central Bank debt-burden ratio (DBR) rules.

How the UAE Affordability Calculator Works

The calculator applies the UAE Central Bank's Debt Burden Ratio (DBR) cap — typically 50% of gross monthly income — to determine how much of your salary can be allocated to mortgage repayments. It then calculates the maximum loan amount at current market rates (fixed and variable) and shows the estimated monthly repayment.

Key Inputs

Gross monthly income (salary or business income)
Existing monthly loan repayments (car loans, personal loans, etc.)
Preferred loan term (up to 25 years for UAE residents)
Residency status (UAE national, resident expat, or non-resident)

What You Get

Maximum mortgage amount you qualify for
Estimated monthly repayment at current market rates
Required down payment (minimum 20% for expats, 15% for UAE nationals)
Guidance on next steps to apply for a mortgage pre-approval

Affordability Calculator

Discover how much you can afford to borrow

Monthly Income (AED)

25,000

5,000100,000

Monthly Expenses (AED)

10,000

050,000

Existing Monthly Debt Payments (AED)

020,000

Include credit cards, personal loans, car loans, etc.

Annual Interest Rate (%)

Current UAE rates typically 3.0% - 5.5%

Loan Tenure

Up to 30 years for UAE nationals, 25 years for expats

Down Payment (%)

20%

5%50%

UAE minimum: 5% for nationals, 20% for expats (properties under AED 5M)

Affordability Analysis

Get a breakdown of your financial capacity

Adjust the sliders to see your affordability analysis

Real-time calculations will appear as you change values