Arab Bank is a pan-regional bank with a UAE presence that offers conventional residential mortgage lending to qualifying buyers, including expatriate residents and, in select circumstances, non-resident applicants. YOUAE Mortgages places clients with Arab Bank and compares their products across the entire UAE market — free of charge and with no obligation.
Arab Bank mortgage products & features
Arab Bank provides conventional home loan products for buyers purchasing in the UAE's freehold property market. While Arab Bank is a smaller participant in the UAE mortgage space, it can be a credible option for the right buyer profile, particularly those with regional financial ties. Key features include:
- Fixed-rate initial periods — fixed rate windows at the start of the mortgage provide payment certainty for a defined period (typically one to three years) before the loan transitions to a variable rate.
- Variable-rate home loans — linked to EIBOR and repriced periodically, variable-rate products suit buyers who expect rates to remain stable or fall, or who plan to pay down their loan faster.
- Residential purchase finance — Arab Bank's mortgage lending in the UAE covers ready residential properties, including apartments and villas, in designated freehold areas.
- Competitive loan terms — loan tenors of up to 25 years are generally available, subject to the applicant's age at the end of the term falling within standard UAE lender limits (typically age 65 for employed and age 70 for self-employed borrowers).
- Regional banking relationships — Arab Bank's broad Middle East and North Africa presence means it may be particularly convenient for buyers who already bank with the group or who have income sources across the region.
Arab Bank is a considered choice rather than a mainstream UAE mortgage brand; YOUAE's whole-of-market process ensures it is properly evaluated alongside the full range of lenders every time.
Arab Bank mortgage rates
Arab Bank's indicative mortgage rates start from 4.21%. This figure is an indicative starting point only — the actual rate offered to any individual applicant will be shaped by the loan-to-value ratio, income type and level, chosen product, and the prevailing EIBOR rate at the time of offer. Because variable rates are tied to EIBOR, they can and do move during the life of the loan. YOUAE will obtain a live, personalised comparison that places Arab Bank's rate in context alongside every other lender active in the UAE market.
Eligibility
Arab Bank's UAE mortgage products are available to eligible residents and, depending on the product and property, to certain non-UAE resident buyers. General eligibility guidelines for UAE home loans include:
- Minimum monthly income — a net income of around AED 15,000 per month is a widely applied benchmark across UAE lenders, though Arab Bank may apply its own thresholds depending on the product.
- Salaried employees — applicants with stable employment in the UAE or with a recognised international employer are the typical target profile for Arab Bank's mortgage products.
- Self-employed buyers — self-employed applicants should expect to provide at least two years of audited financials and consistent income evidence; Arab Bank assesses these cases individually.
- Non-residents — non-resident buyers are generally subject to a maximum LTV of around 50% and more extensive documentation. Our non-resident mortgages guide explains what to expect.
- Standard documents required — passport, UAE visa and Emirates ID (where applicable), payslips for the last three months, six months of bank statements, and full details of the property being purchased.
YOUAE will review your complete profile and tell you honestly whether Arab Bank is likely to be a strong fit or whether another lender would serve you better.
Fees & costs
When purchasing property in Dubai, buyers should budget for approximately 7% in transaction costs on top of the agreed purchase price:
- Dubai Land Department (DLD) transfer fee — 4% of the purchase price, paid in cash at the point of title transfer.
- Real estate agency commission — typically 2% of the purchase price.
- Mortgage registration fee — 0.25% of the loan amount, payable to the DLD.
- Valuation fee — usually AED 2,500–3,500, commissioned by the lender.
- Bank arrangement fee — commonly between 0.5% and 1% of the loan amount, charged at the time of drawdown.
These costs vary by emirate — the structure in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, or Ras Al Khaimah differs from Dubai's. YOUAE will provide a full, property-specific cost estimate so there are no surprises at the point of transfer.
Why compare Arab Bank through a broker
Arab Bank does not dominate UAE mortgage advertising, which means many buyers never consider it — even when it could be the right fit. As a whole-of-market broker, YOUAE includes Arab Bank in every comparison we run alongside the UAE's major and regional lenders, ensuring no competitive offer is overlooked. Where Arab Bank's regional connections or credit considerations make it a better match for a specific applicant than a high-street lender, we will identify and recommend that. We also manage more complex cases — including self-employed buyers, non-residents, and applicants with income structured across multiple markets — and our lender relationships mean we understand what Arab Bank's credit team is looking for before we submit. Explore our Dubai mortgages hub or see the full lender list.
How to apply with YOUAE
- Free initial consultation — a YOUAE adviser takes a detailed look at your income, deposit, and property plans.
- Whole-of-market comparison — we compare Arab Bank against every active UAE lender and present a clear, side-by-side summary.
- Pre-approval — we submit your documents to your chosen lender and obtain a formal pre-approval letter, typically valid for 60–90 days.
- Property search — armed with a pre-approval, you can search and negotiate with a confirmed budget.
- Offer to completion — YOUAE handles all lender communication, DLD coordination, and conveyancing steps through to key handover.
Get started today — the YOUAE service is entirely free to mortgage applicants.
FAQs
Is Arab Bank a recognised mortgage lender in Dubai?
Arab Bank is an internationally established bank with a UAE presence and is licensed to provide mortgage lending in the country. While it is not among the UAE's largest mortgage lenders by volume, it is a legitimate option for buyers with the right profile, particularly those with existing Arab Bank relationships. YOUAE will assess whether it is a strong fit for your specific situation.
Can non-residents apply for an Arab Bank UAE mortgage?
Non-residents can apply for UAE mortgages in principle, subject to purchasing in a designated freehold zone and meeting the higher deposit requirement (typically a minimum of 50% of the property value). Arab Bank's suitability for non-resident applicants depends on individual circumstances. YOUAE specialises in non-resident mortgage placements and will advise on the most appropriate lender for your case.
What is the difference between Arab Bank's fixed and variable rate mortgage?
A fixed-rate mortgage locks your interest rate for an initial period — commonly one to three years — giving you certainty over your monthly repayment during that window. A variable-rate mortgage moves with EIBOR and is repriced periodically, meaning your repayment can go up or down. Once the fixed period ends, most UAE mortgages revert to a variable rate. YOUAE will explain the trade-offs and help you choose the structure that suits your financial situation and plans.
Interested in finding out whether Arab Bank is the right lender for your UAE property purchase? Book a free pre-approval consultation with YOUAE and receive a whole-of-market comparison with no obligation.