How much down payment do I need to buy property in Dubai as an expat?

For a qualifying first, self-use residential property under AED 5 million, an eligible expat resident has a standard 20% minimum deposit (80% maximum LTV). Different limits or lender criteria can apply to non-residents, subsequent purchases, investment or off-plan property and higher-value property.

What is the minimum down payment for UAE nationals?

For a qualifying first, self-use residential property under AED 5 million, an eligible UAE national has a standard 15% minimum deposit (85% maximum LTV). Different limits or lender criteria can apply to other purchase types and property values.

How much down payment do non-residents need to buy property in the UAE?

Non-resident lending is a distinct lender-assessed exception: available LTV, deposit, documentation and eligible property vary by lender and applicant. Obtain the lender's current written criteria rather than applying resident first-self-use assumptions.

Can I use a personal loan for the down payment on a UAE property?

The lender will assess the source of your deposit and all borrowing as part of affordability and underwriting. Do not assume personal borrowing will be acceptable; disclose it and confirm the lender's current source-of-funds requirements before applying.

Does the DLD fee count as part of my down payment?

Transaction charges and lender fees are generally separate from the deposit. Confirm the current DLD, trustee, registration and lender charges for the specific transaction.

UAE Down Payment Calculator

How much cash you need upfront depends on your residency status, property value, intended use and lender assessment. Mortigo's calculator is an estimate, not a lender decision.

CBUAE LTV Rules — Minimum Down Payments in the UAE

Buyer Type	Property Value	Min Down Payment	Max Mortgage (LTV)
Eligible UAE National	Qualifying first, self-use; under AED 5M	15%	85%
Eligible Expat Resident	Qualifying first, self-use; under AED 5M	20%	80%
Non-resident / other purchase	Varies by lender and circumstances	Confirm with lender	Confirm with lender

For a qualifying first, self-use residential property under AED 5 million, the standard maximum LTV is 80% for an eligible expat resident and 85% for an eligible UAE national. This means minimum deposits of 20% and 15% respectively. Other buyer and property cases require lender confirmation.

Total Cash Required to Buy — Beyond the Down Payment

The down payment is only part of your upfront cash requirement. You also need to cover:

DLD transfer fee — 4% of property price
Mortgage registration fee — 0.25% of loan amount + AED 290
Agent commission — typically 2% of price
Property valuation fee — AED 2,500–3,500
Title deed issuance — AED 520
Mortgage arrangement / processing fee — 0.5–1% of loan amount

For an eligible expat resident buying a qualifying AED 2M first self-use property, the standard minimum deposit assumption is AED 400,000 before separately assessed transaction costs and lender fees.

Off-Plan Mortgages — Different LTV Rules

Off-plan finance and developer payment plans are separate, lender- and project-specific cases. Do not apply the ready-property first-self-use assumption to an off-plan purchase; confirm available finance, timing and the full payment schedule before committing. Use the Off-Plan Payment Plan Calculator to model a developer payment schedule.

Ready to Plan Your UAE Property Purchase?

Mortigo can help review participating lender criteria and prepare an application for your chosen lender. WhatsApp +971 50 729 7196 or share your circumstances online.