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Mortgage Fees & Charges

Bank, valuation and registration fees.

Updated: September 2026 5 min read

The main mortgage fee in Dubai is the Dubai Land Department's registration fee of 0.25% of the loan amount, plus AED 250 for the title deed. On top of that come the bank's own arrangement and valuation fees, which vary by lender, and insurance. Some bank charges, including early settlement, are capped by the Central Bank. Here is each fee, who sets it and whether it is capped.

Dubai Land Department fees

  • Mortgage registration: 0.25% of the mortgage amount.
  • Title deed issuance: AED 250, plus AED 10 knowledge and AED 10 innovation fees.
  • Trustee centre service fee, when the mortgage is registered through a Real Estate Registration Trustee centre: AED 4,000 + VAT, or AED 5,000 + VAT for an off-plan (Oqood) mortgage.
  • Increasing the loan later: 0.25% of the increase, plus a trustee service fee of AED 2,000 + VAT where applicable. Extending the term: AED 1,000.
  • Mortgage release when the loan is repaid: AED 1,000, plus AED 250 for the new title deed and a trustee service fee of AED 300 + VAT where applicable.

Example: registration fee on a AED 1.2 million loan

0.25% of AED 1,200,000 is AED 3,000. Add AED 250 for the title deed and AED 20 in knowledge and innovation fees: AED 3,270 to the DLD, plus the trustee centre fee if one handles the registration. This is illustrative; confirm the current fees on the DLD website before transfer.

Bank fees (set by each bank)

These are not capped in the Central Bank's fee table and differ between lenders, so compare them across offers. CBUAE rules require banks to publish their fees and set them out in a separate schedule attached to your loan contract.

  • Arrangement or processing fee, which may be a flat amount or a percentage of the loan.
  • Valuation fee, for the independent valuation the bank must carry out.
  • Pre-approval fee, if the bank charges one.
  • Life insurance and property insurance required by the lender.

Fees capped by the Central Bank

Appendix 2 of Regulation 29/2011 sets maximum home loan charges (amounts exclude VAT):

  • Early settlement: 1% of the outstanding balance or AED 10,000, whichever is less.
  • Partial settlement: 1% of the outstanding balance or AED 10,000, whichever is less.
  • Late payment: up to AED 700.
  • No-objection certificate: AED 150. Liability letter: AED 85. Clearance letter: AED 95.

Switching banks

You can move your mortgage to another UAE bank. The fee for leaving is limited to the early settlement cap above; the mortgage regulations also allow the lender's actual cost of breaking a fixed rate, so check the wording in your contract. The new bank will charge its own fees, and a new mortgage registration at the DLD costs 0.25% of the new loan.

Abu Dhabi

In Abu Dhabi, mortgages are registered through the DARI platform, which shows the amount due before payment. Check the fee there; we have not listed it because we could not confirm it from an official source.

Learn more

For the 4% transfer fee, agency commission and other purchase costs, see Property Buying Costs in Dubai. For how fees fit into the whole mortgage, see the UAE Mortgage Guide.

Frequently asked questions

How much is mortgage registration in Dubai?

The Dubai Land Department charges 0.25% of the mortgage amount, plus AED 250 for the title deed and AED 10 each in knowledge and innovation fees. On a AED 1.2 million loan that is AED 3,270, plus the trustee centre fee if one handles the registration.

What is the early settlement fee on a UAE mortgage?

The Central Bank caps it at 1% of the outstanding balance or AED 10,000, whichever is less, excluding VAT. The same cap applies to partial settlement.

How much does it cost to release a mortgage in Dubai?

The DLD charges AED 1,000 to release a mortgage once the loan is repaid, plus AED 250 for the new title deed and a trustee service fee of AED 300 plus VAT where applicable.

Can I move my mortgage to another bank in the UAE?

Yes. The fee for leaving is limited to the early settlement cap, though the mortgage regulations also allow the lender's actual cost of breaking a fixed rate, so check your contract. The new bank charges its own fees, and a new DLD registration costs 0.25% of the new loan.

Sources

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