UAE Mortgage Affordability Calculator 2026
Work out the maximum property you can afford under UAE Central Bank LTV and debt-burden-ratio rules, for nationals and expats.
| Max loan-to-value (LTV) allowed | — |
|---|---|
| Minimum down payment required | — |
| Max monthly debt capacity (50% DBR) | — |
| Est. monthly payment at this price | — |
| Room left in your DBR / shortfall | — |
In short
UAE Central Bank rules cap mortgages at 80% loan-to-value for expats and 85% for nationals on a first property under AED 5 million (70%/75% above), 60%/65% on subsequent properties and 50% on off-plan, and total debt repayments at 50% of gross income.
Who this is for: UAE residents checking the maximum property price a bank could finance under Central Bank LTV and debt-burden rules.
Two separate caps: LTV and DBR
UAE mortgage affordability is governed by two Central Bank rules that apply independently — you need to clear both:
- Loan-to-value (LTV) cap: the maximum percentage of the property price a bank can lend, which depends on nationality, whether it's your first property, and whether the price is above or below AED 5 million. Expats get slightly lower caps than nationals; off-plan purchases are capped at 50% regardless of nationality.
- Debt-burden ratio (DBR) cap: your total monthly debt payments — including the new mortgage — cannot exceed 50% of your gross monthly salary and regular income (60% for certain government-backed housing schemes).
Passing the LTV test tells you the minimum down payment. Passing the DBR test tells you whether your income can actually service the resulting monthly payment alongside your existing debts. Individual banks often apply their own stricter internal limits on top of these Central Bank ceilings.
Assumptions
- LTV caps: expat 80%/70%, national 85%/75% (first property under/over AED 5m); 60%/65% for subsequent properties; 50% for off-plan.
- Debt-burden ratio cap is 50% of gross monthly income, after deducting the existing monthly debt you enter.
- The monthly payment uses standard amortisation at the rate and term you enter.
- Bank fees, insurance and DLD costs are not included.
Worked example
LTV cap (expat, first property, under AED 5M): 80% → max loan AED 1,600,000, minimum down payment AED 400,000 (20%)
Monthly payment at 4.5% over 25 years ≈ AED 8,900
DBR cap: 35,000 × 50% = AED 17,500, minus AED 3,000 existing debt = AED 14,500 available
Result: fits comfortably, with about AED 5,600/month of DBR room to spare.
Frequently asked questions
Does the down payment include fees?
No — this calculator only covers the mortgage down payment itself. Add DLD transfer fees, trustee admin fees and agency commission on top (see the Dubai DLD Fee Calculator).
Can I use a co-applicant's income?
Many banks allow combining income with a spouse or co-applicant for DBR purposes — this calculator only models a single applicant; ask your bank how they treat joint applications.
Why is my off-plan LTV lower even though it's my first property?
The 50% off-plan cap is a separate, stricter ceiling that applies regardless of nationality or first-property status, reflecting the added risk of financing a property that isn't built yet.
What deposit do I need in Dubai as an expat?
At least 20% for a first property under AED 5 million, 30% above AED 5 million, 40% for a second property and 50% for off-plan — plus about 6–7% for fees, which cannot be financed.
Does a bank pre-approval use the same rules?
Banks apply the Central Bank ceilings as a maximum and then their own criteria on income type, employer, age and existing liabilities, so a pre-approval can be lower than this estimate.
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