How Much Do You Need to Buy Property in Dubai? Down Payments and Fees Explained

Most buyers know they need a down payment. Fewer realise that fees add roughly another 7–8% of the price on top. This guide explains both, with a worked example, so you can plan a realistic budget before you start viewing properties.

1. The down payment

UAE Central Bank rules set the maximum a bank can lend, which decides your minimum down payment:

These are minimums. A bank can ask for more depending on your income, credit history and the property.

2. The fees on top

Fees are usually paid in cash and cannot be added to the mortgage. The main ones in Dubai are:

• Dubai Land Department transfer fee: 4% of the purchase price, plus a small admin fee. Usually the biggest single cost.
• Mortgage registration fee: 0.25% of the loan amount, plus AED 290.
• Trustee office fee: AED 2,000 + VAT for properties under AED 500,000, or AED 4,000 + VAT above that.
• Real estate agency commission: typically 2% of the price + VAT.
• Bank arrangement fee: up to 1% of the loan + VAT. Some banks waive it, which is one reason to compare.
• Property valuation: usually AED 2,500–3,500 + VAT, paid to the bank's valuer.

After you move in, budget for life insurance (required by banks) and property insurance, plus service charges for apartments and community properties.

3. Worked example: AED 1.5M apartment

An expat resident buying their first home, a ready apartment, with the maximum 80% mortgage:

So on a AED 1.5M home, plan for around AED 415,000 in cash, not just the AED 300,000 down payment. Fees alone come to about 7.6% of the price here.

4. Can you afford the monthly payment?

Banks cap your total monthly debt repayments (mortgage, car loans, credit card limits and personal loans) at 50% of your monthly income. In the example above, a AED 1.2M loan over 25 years at 4.25% costs about AED 6,500 a month.

Banks also test your application at a higher rate than the one offered, and many set a minimum salary for mortgage applicants. Reducing other debts before applying can noticeably increase how much you can borrow.

Try our mortgage calculator to test your own figures.

5. Ways to reduce the upfront cost

• Compare arrangement fees: some banks charge 0%, saving thousands.
• Look at developer offers: some new projects include DLD fee waivers or payment plans.
• Buy direct where possible: no agency commission on some developer and private sales.
• Get pre-approved first: you'll know your exact budget and avoid offers you can't complete.

The bottom line

For a typical first home in Dubai, plan for your down payment plus around 7–8% of the price in fees, and keep your total debt repayments under half your income. A mortgage advisor can confirm your exact figures across several banks before you commit.

Figures are general guidance as of October 2026 and can change. Fees vary by property, bank and emirate. Your bank's offer and the Dubai Land Department confirm the final amounts.