Two limits decide it: up to 80 percent of the property price for expats, and total monthly debts no higher than half your income.
The lower of the two limits wins. Banks test the debt limit at a higher "stress" rate than your actual rate.
Example: you earn AED 30,000 a month, pay AED 3,000 for a car loan and have AED 20,000 in card limits (counted as AED 1,000).
- 50% of income = AED 15,000; minus AED 4,000 existing debts = AED 11,000 a month for the mortgage
- At a 6% stress rate over 25 years, that supports about AED 1.7 million
- Over 20 years, about AED 1.54 million
Then the LTV cap applies: to borrow AED 1.7 million at 80%, the property must be worth at least AED 2.13 million.
Related: What is DBR? · Check your eligibility
