Buying Property

Down Payment Requirements

How much down payment do you need?

Updated: September 2026 5 min read

The minimum down payment for property in the UAE is set by the UAE Central Bank's loan-to-value caps. An expatriate buying a first home worth up to AED 5 million must put down at least 20%, and a UAE national at least 15%. Second homes need 35–40%, and off-plan purchases at least 50%.

Central Bank loan-to-value limits

The UAE Central Bank's Regulations Regarding Mortgage Loans (Circular No. 31/2013, as amended in 2020) set the most a lender may lend against a property's value. Your minimum down payment is the rest:

UAE nationals, first home up to AED 5 million: loan up to 85%, so at least 15% down.
UAE nationals, first home over AED 5 million: loan up to 75%, so at least 25% down.
Expatriates, first home up to AED 5 million: loan up to 80%, so at least 20% down.
Expatriates, first home over AED 5 million: loan up to 70%, so at least 30% down.
Second or later home, or investment property: loan up to 65% for UAE nationals (35% down) and 60% for expatriates (40% down), whatever the value.
Only one property per borrower can count as a first home.

Off-plan: 50% minimum

For a mortgage on property bought off-plan, the maximum loan is 50% of the value, whatever the purpose, price or type of buyer. The Central Bank gives the long development period and the risk the project is not completed as its reasons.

Non-residents

The regulation sets limits for UAE nationals and expatriates. It has no separate category for non-residents. Its ratios are maximums, and it tells lenders to be more conservative where risks are higher, so a bank can ask a non-resident for more than 20% down. Ask each bank for its own limits.

Other rules that affect how much you need

The down payment must come from your own money, not from personal loans or credit cards.
The loan-to-value ratio is based on the bank's independent valuation. If the valuation comes in below your agreed price, you pay the difference in cash.
Total monthly debt repayments cannot exceed 50% of income, and the longest mortgage term is 25 years.
Loans are capped at seven years' income for expatriates and eight years' income for UAE nationals.
Buying costs come on top of the down payment. See Property Buying Costs in Dubai.

Worked examples

Expatriate, first home at AED 1,500,000: maximum loan AED 1,200,000, minimum down payment AED 300,000, plus buying costs.
Expatriate, first home at AED 6,000,000: maximum loan AED 4,200,000, minimum down payment AED 1,800,000.
Expatriate, second home at AED 2,000,000: maximum loan AED 1,200,000, minimum down payment AED 800,000.
Try your own figures with the mortgage calculator.

Before you commit to a price

Get mortgage pre-approval that states the loan-to-value the bank will apply to you.
Keep a cash buffer in case the valuation comes in below the price.
Hold the down payment and buying costs in your own funds, not borrowed money.
If you are buying off-plan with a mortgage, plan for at least half the price from your own funds.
Make any offer subject to mortgage approval.

Frequently asked questions

How much deposit do expats need to buy a home in Dubai with a mortgage?

At least 20% on a first home worth up to AED 5 million, and 30% above that. On a second home or investment property, expatriates need at least 40% down whatever the value, under the UAE Central Bank's loan-to-value limits.

What is the minimum down payment for UAE nationals?

UAE nationals need at least 15% down on a first home worth up to AED 5 million and 25% above that. On a second or later home or an investment property, the minimum is 35%.

How much down payment do I need for an off-plan property?

At least 50% if you use a mortgage. The Central Bank caps loans on off-plan property at 50% of the value, whatever the purpose, price or type of buyer, citing the long development period and the risk the project is not completed.

Do non-residents need a bigger down payment in the UAE?

They may. The Central Bank regulation has no separate category for non-residents, and it tells lenders to be more conservative where risks are higher, so a bank can ask a non-resident for more than 20% down. Ask each bank for its own limits.

Sources

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