Emirates Islamic is one of the UAE's leading full-service Islamic banks, offering Sharia-compliant home finance products designed for Muslim and non-Muslim buyers who prefer ethical, interest-free financing. YOUAE Mortgages arranges Emirates Islamic home finance alongside the full UAE lending market, giving you an independent comparison before you commit.
Emirates Islamic mortgage products & features
All Emirates Islamic home finance products operate under Islamic finance principles — there is no interest; instead, the bank earns a profit rate through Sharia-compliant structures. The main structures available in the UAE market include:
- Diminishing Musharaka (co-ownership): the most common UAE Islamic home finance structure. The bank and the customer jointly purchase the property; the customer gradually buys out the bank's share through monthly instalments while paying rent on the bank's remaining portion. Ownership transfers fully to the customer at the end of the term.
- Ijara (lease-to-own): the bank purchases the property and leases it to the customer for an agreed term, with ownership transferring at the end. Monthly payments represent rent rather than loan repayments.
- Murabaha (cost-plus financing): typically used for simpler transactions; the bank purchases the property and sells it to the customer at an agreed mark-up, payable in instalments.
Emirates Islamic typically offers initial fixed profit rate periods of one to five years, reverting to a variable rate linked to EIBOR thereafter. Financing is available for ready and off-plan residential properties, as well as buyout (refinancing) of existing home finance from other lenders.
Emirates Islamic mortgage rates
Indicative profit rates at Emirates Islamic start from 4.05%. As with all UAE lenders, the rate offered to you is shaped by your loan size, chosen fixed period, employment type, nationality, and property details. Variable-rate products move with EIBOR, so payments can increase or decrease when the benchmark rate resets. These figures are illustrative starting points — YOUAE will obtain a personalised offer on your behalf.
Compare profit rates across all UAE Islamic and conventional lenders →
Eligibility
Emirates Islamic home finance is available to UAE residents and may be accessible to non-resident buyers under specific conditions. Standard UAE market criteria apply:
- Minimum salary: approximately AED 15,000 per month for salaried applicants; thresholds may vary by product.
- Age: typically 21 at application, with final repayment before age 65 (employees) or 70 (self-employed).
- Self-employed applicants: generally require two years of audited financial statements and evidence of consistent business income.
- Documents: passport, UAE residency visa, Emirates ID, salary certificate or trade licence, six months of bank statements, and property documentation.
Non-Muslim applicants are equally eligible to access Islamic home finance — the Sharia-compliant structure is a legal and financial framework, not a religious restriction on who can use it.
Fees & costs
Alongside your Emirates Islamic finance arrangement, budget for standard UAE property transaction costs. For Dubai purchases, approximately 7% of the purchase price is typical:
- Dubai Land Department (DLD) transfer fee: 4% of the purchase price, paid in cash.
- Estate agency fee: approximately 2%, typically paid by the buyer.
- Mortgage/finance registration fee: 0.25% of the finance amount, payable to the DLD.
- Valuation fee: AED 2,500–AED 3,500 depending on the property.
- Bank arrangement fee: varies; typically 0.5%–1% of the finance amount.
Fee structures vary by emirate. Abu Dhabi and other emirates have different registration charge schedules. Your YOUAE adviser will provide a full cost breakdown for your specific transaction before you proceed.
Why compare Emirates Islamic through a broker
Emirates Islamic is a well-capitalised, established Islamic lender with a competitive product range — but whether it offers the best profit rate and structure for your profile depends on how it compares to the other Sharia-compliant and conventional lenders active in the UAE market at the time you apply. YOUAE accesses every UAE lender and runs a genuine whole-of-market comparison, including banks that do not actively market through direct channels.
If your application is complex — self-employed income, off-plan financing, or a buyout from another lender — our team manages the credit dialogue with Emirates Islamic directly and helps you present your case in the strongest possible way.
See all UAE lenders we work with →
How to apply with YOUAE
- Free consultation — a YOUAE adviser assesses your budget, property plans, and whether Islamic finance is the right fit for your needs.
- Pre-approval — we compile your documents and submit to Emirates Islamic and other competitive lenders to obtain in-principle offers.
- Property confirmed — we request formal valuation and coordinate final finance approval once your property offer is accepted.
- Completion — we manage the process through to DLD registration and key handover.
Start your mortgage pre-approval today →
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be Muslim to use Emirates Islamic home finance?
No. Emirates Islamic home finance is available to all UAE residents and eligible buyers regardless of religion. The Sharia-compliant structure refers to how the finance is legally and contractually constructed — it is open to anyone who prefers or is eligible for it.
How is a profit rate different from an interest rate?
In Islamic finance, the bank earns a profit through ownership or trade structures (Musharaka, Ijara, or Murabaha) rather than charging interest on a loan. The practical effect on your monthly payment is similar to a conventional mortgage, but the contractual basis is different and certified as Sharia-compliant by the bank's Sharia Supervisory Board.
Can I refinance an existing conventional mortgage to Emirates Islamic?
Yes — refinancing (buyout) from a conventional lender to an Islamic finance provider is a common transaction in the UAE. YOUAE will calculate whether the saving in profit rate and the costs of switching make refinancing worthwhile for your remaining loan balance and term.
Ready to compare Emirates Islamic alongside the full UAE market? Book your free pre-approval consultation with YOUAE →