How Much Deposit Is Required for a Mortgage in the UAE?

The deposit required for a mortgage in the UAE depends on who you are and what you are buying, but for most buyers it starts at 20% of the property price. Under the UAE Central Bank's mortgage rules, an expatriate resident buying a first home worth up to AED 5 million needs at least a 20% deposit, while a UAE national needs at least 15%. For homes above AED 5 million, or for a second or investment property, the required deposit is larger. Non-residents usually need more, often around 35% or higher. Off-plan properties typically require about 50% during construction. These are minimum rules set by the Central Bank, so banks can ask for more but never less. Knowing how much deposit is required for a mortgage helps you plan your savings and shop for a home you can genuinely afford.

Not sure how much you need? Check your eligibility across leading banks free.

What Is a Mortgage Deposit?

A mortgage deposit, also called a down payment, is the part of a property's price you pay yourself upfront, while the bank lends the rest. If you buy a home for AED 1 million with a 20% deposit, you pay AED 200,000 and the bank finances AED 800,000.

The deposit is expressed as a percentage of the property price, and it directly affects how much you borrow. A larger deposit means a smaller loan, lower monthly payments, and less interest over time. The bank only ever lends against the rest, never the full price. Understanding that the deposit is your own upfront share is what makes the rest of the numbers make sense.

How Much Deposit Is Required for a Mortgage in the UAE?

How much deposit is required for a mortgage depends mainly on your residency status, the property's value, and whether it is your first or an additional home. The UAE Central Bank sets minimum deposits that every bank must follow.

Expat Residents

An expatriate resident buying a first property valued up to AED 5 million needs a minimum deposit of 20%. For a first property above AED 5 million, a larger deposit applies, commonly around 30%.

UAE Nationals

UAE nationals benefit from a lower minimum, needing at least 15% deposit on a first property under AED 5 million.

Second or Investment Property

For a second home or an investment property, the deposit rises to around 40%, regardless of the price. Knowing your category is what tells you your real minimum deposit. If you are unsure which applies, a quick check with an expert settles it.

Why Do Deposit Rules Differ by Buyer?

The Central Bank sets different deposits for different buyers to manage risk and keep the property market stable.

Higher-value homes, additional properties, and non-resident buyers are seen as carrying more risk, so a bigger deposit is required to balance it. This is also why UAE nationals get a slightly lower minimum than expatriates, and why an investment property needs more down than a first home. The rules are designed to make sure buyers have a real stake in the property. Understanding that deposits reflect risk is what explains why your figure may differ from someone else's.

What About Non-Residents and Off-Plan Property?

Two situations follow different deposit rules, and both need more cash upfront.

Non-resident buyers, those without UAE residency, usually face higher minimums, often around 35% or more, because banks see cross-border lending as higher risk. The exact figure varies by bank and property. Off-plan property, bought before it is built, also has its own rule. Banks typically finance only about 50% of an off-plan purchase, meaning you fund roughly half yourself, though the developer's payment plan often spreads this during construction. Knowing that non-residents and off-plan buyers need more upfront is what prevents an unwelcome surprise.

Is the Deposit the Only Upfront Cost?

The deposit is the biggest cash cost, but it is not the only one, and this catches many buyers out.

On top of your deposit, you should budget for several fees paid around the time of purchase. These usually include the Dubai Land Department transfer fee, a mortgage registration fee, a property valuation fee, an agent commission, and any broker fee. Together these commonly add around 6% to 7% of the property price. So on an AED 1 million home, you may need not just the deposit but also tens of thousands more in fees. Planning for deposit plus fees is what gives you the true cash you need to buy.

How Does Your Income Affect What You Can Borrow?

Even with a deposit ready, how much you can borrow is also capped by your income through the debt burden ratio.

The UAE Central Bank limits total monthly debt repayments to 50% of gross monthly income for expatriates, and 60% for UAE nationals. This means your mortgage payment, plus any existing loans and card commitments, cannot exceed that share of your income. If your deposit allows a large loan but your income does not support the repayments, the income limit applies. You can test this with a mortgage eligibility check. Seeing that both deposit and income shape your loan is what gives a realistic picture of your budget.

Why Might a Bigger Deposit Be Better?

While you only need to meet the minimum, paying a larger deposit can work in your favour.

A bigger deposit means borrowing less, which lowers your monthly payments and cuts the total interest you pay over the life of the loan. It can also give you access to better rates, as some banks reserve their best pricing for lower-risk, lower-LTV loans. If you can comfortably afford more upfront without draining your savings, it is often worth considering. You can compare the effect using our home loan calculator. Knowing a larger deposit can save money long term is what helps a buyer decide the right amount.

Can You Borrow Your Deposit?

A common question is whether the deposit can be borrowed too, and the short answer is that it must generally be your own funds.

Central Bank rules are designed so buyers put in a genuine cash stake, so banks expect the deposit to come from your savings rather than another loan. Taking a personal loan to fund a deposit can also backfire, because that new loan raises your monthly commitments and reduces how much mortgage you qualify for under the debt burden ratio. In practice, saving the deposit yourself is both required and sensible. Understanding that the deposit should be genuine savings is what keeps your application strong.

How Can You Prepare Your Deposit?

Saving a property deposit takes planning, but a clear target makes it achievable.

Start by working out the likely deposit for the type and price of home you want, then add the extra fees to get your true goal. From there, a realistic savings plan, kept in a safe, accessible place, gets you there steadily. It also helps to keep your finances clean and your debts low, so you are ready to qualify when the time comes. Setting a clear savings target is what turns buying a home from a wish into a plan.

How Can a Broker Help With Your Deposit Planning?

A mortgage broker does more than find a loan; they help you understand exactly how much cash you need before you commit.

By confirming your buyer category and the property type, a broker can tell you your real deposit and the fees on top, so you save toward the right target. A broker also compares banks, and since lenders differ on rates and how they treat lower-deposit loans, this can affect how far your deposit stretches. With experience across the UAE market, a good broker helps you plan the whole upfront cost, not just the headline deposit. Getting expert help with the numbers is what stops a buyer being caught short.

Figures reflect UAE Central Bank Mortgage Regulations current as of 2026. Deposit minimums are set by the Central Bank; individual banks may require more. Confirm current terms before applying. mortgagemarket.ae is an independent UAE mortgage broker.

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