What is the debt burden ratio (DBR) in the UAE?
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Answer: DBR is total monthly debt commitments divided by gross monthly income. Current CBUAE guidance describes maximums of 50% for expatriates and 60% for UAE nationals, including the proposed mortgage. A lender may use a lower internal limit.
Expatriate planning example: on AED 30,000/month, commitments fit within AED 15,000 at the 50% ceiling. An existing AED 3,000 car loan leaves AED 12,000 of indicative monthly room before other liabilities. Many lenders also model credit cards at about 5% of total limits, although the exact method varies. Eligible UAE nationals can use the separate 60% profile in our DBR calculator.
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