The two limits on what you can buy
- Income (debt-burden ratio): total monthly debt payments ≤ 50% of gross salary. The remaining room, tested at a slightly higher rate, sets your maximum loan.
- Cash (loan-to-value): expats need at least 20% down on a first home up to AED 5 million (UAE nationals 15%), plus roughly 7% of the price for DLD, agency and bank fees.
Your budget is whichever of the two is lower.
Example
Salary AED 30,000, car loan AED 2,000 a month, AED 400,000 saved, 4.25% over 25 years. The 50% rule allows AED 13,000 a month for the mortgage. Cash is the tighter limit here: AED 400,000 covers 20% down plus about 7% fees on a home of roughly AED 1.48 million, needing a loan of about AED 1.19 million (≈ AED 6,420 a month).
How to increase your budget
- Pay off small loans and close unused credit cards before applying.
- Apply jointly with a spouse.
- Choose a longer term (up to 25 years) to lower the monthly payment.
- Save more cash – for most first-time buyers, the deposit plus fees is the real constraint.
Once you have a price in mind, see the monthly cost with the UAE mortgage calculator and every fee with the Dubai property fees calculator.
Guidance only – each bank applies its own policy, stress rate and salary requirements.
Frequently asked questions
How much mortgage can I get on my salary in the UAE?
Central Bank rules cap all your monthly debt repayments, including the new mortgage, at 50% of gross monthly income. With a salary of AED 30,000 and AED 2,000 of existing payments, the mortgage payment can be up to AED 13,000 – before the bank’s own stress test and minimum-salary rules.
What is the minimum salary for a mortgage in Dubai?
It varies by bank; many require AED 15,000 a month for salaried expats, some accept AED 10,000–12,000, and premium products ask for more.
Do banks count my credit card limit?
Yes. Banks usually treat around 5% of your total credit card limits as a monthly commitment, even if you pay the cards in full. Closing unused cards before applying can raise the amount you can borrow.
Can I add my spouse’s salary?
Most UAE banks allow joint applications with a spouse or close relative, combining both incomes and both sets of commitments.
Last reviewed: October 2026