What deposit do I need for a mortgage in the UAE?
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Answer: Expats need 20% down on a first home up to AED 5M (30% above AED 5M); UAE nationals need 15%. A second or investment property needs 40% down. Add roughly 7–8% of the price for purchase costs on top.
The bands at a glance
| Buyer & property | Minimum down payment |
|---|---|
| Expat · first home ≤ AED 5M | 20% (80% LTV) |
| Expat · first home > AED 5M | 30% (70% LTV) |
| UAE national · first home ≤ AED 5M | 15% (85% LTV) |
| Second / investment property | 40% (60% LTV) |
| Off-plan (bank-financed) | commonly ~50% |
Worked example: an expat buying a first AED 1.5M apartment puts down AED 300,000 plus ~AED 105,000–120,000 in purchase costs.
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