How Much Salary Do You Need for a Mortgage in Dubai?
The 50% debt-burden rule, down payment limits for expats and nationals, the cash you really need, and a worked example on a AED 30,000 salary.
Updated 27 October 2026
UAE banks follow Central Bank rules that limit how much you can borrow. Two numbers decide your budget: how much of your income can go on debt, and how much of the price you can borrow.
Rule 1: the 50% debt-burden ratio
All your monthly debt payments – the new mortgage, car and personal loans, and a share of credit card limits (banks commonly count 5% of each limit) – cannot exceed 50% of your gross monthly income. Many banks also test the mortgage payment at a higher “stress” rate.
Rule 2: loan-to-value limits
| Buyer | First home ≤ AED 5m | First home > AED 5m | Second home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expat | 80% | 70% | 60% |
| UAE national | 85% | 75% | 65% |
Off-plan property is limited to 50%. The maximum term is 25 years.
Worked example: AED 30,000 salary
With AED 2,000 of existing car-loan payments, the most you can pay each month is 50% × 30,000 − 2,000 = AED 13,000. Tested at a 6.25% stress rate over 25 years, that supports a loan of about AED 1.97 million. As an expat first-time buyer (80% LTV), that matches a price of about AED 2.46 million. At an actual rate of 4.25%, the monthly payment would be about AED 10,680.
The catch is cash: you need the 20% down payment plus roughly 7% in fees – about AED 665,000 on that price. For many buyers, cash rather than salary is the real limit.
Other bank requirements
- Minimum salary – often AED 15,000 a month, varying by bank.
- Age – the loan normally has to end by 65 for expats and 70 for nationals.
- Length of employment – commonly at least 6 months with your current employer.
Work out your own limit with the mortgage calculator based on salary, then check the full upfront cost with the Dubai property fees calculator.