National Bank of Fujairah (NBF) is a UAE-listed bank headquartered in Fujairah, with a network covering the Northern Emirates and key hubs including Dubai. NBF has built a reputation as a relationship-focused lender — one that can apply more individual judgement to an application than some of the larger, more process-driven banks. For buyers or investors looking at properties outside Dubai, or for borrowers whose profile sits outside the template of the biggest banks, NBF is worth placing alongside the major lenders in any genuine whole-of-market comparison. YOUAE Mortgages does exactly that. See every lender we work with.
NBF mortgage products and features
NBF offers conventional residential home-loan products across a range of property types and borrower profiles.
Fixed-rate mortgages provide a guaranteed repayment for an introductory term before moving to a variable rate. NBF's fixed terms are typically structured over one, two, or three years. The predictability of a fixed repayment appeals particularly to first-time buyers and those stretching to their maximum budget.
Variable-rate mortgages are priced on a reducing-balance basis, with the interest component linked to EIBOR plus NBF's margin. Because NBF is a Northern-Emirates bank, it can sometimes offer margin pricing that reflects its tighter relationship model rather than the volume-led pricing of larger institutions.
Additional product features typically available through NBF include:
- Mortgages on ready and completed properties in Dubai and the Northern Emirates
- Finance for UAE nationals, residents, and select expatriate profiles
- Equity-release facilities on unencumbered or partially encumbered UAE property
- Partial-prepayment and early-settlement options within UAE Central Bank limits
- Salary-transfer and non-salary-transfer structures
Maximum terms run up to 25 years, subject to borrower-age rules at maturity.
NBF mortgage rates
NBF's indicative variable rate starts from 4.18% per annum. The rate you receive depends on your loan-to-value ratio, income profile, salary-transfer status, and the property in question. Variable rates move with EIBOR — the benchmark that underpins virtually all UAE mortgage pricing. When EIBOR rises, your monthly cost increases; when it falls, you benefit. Fixed-rate products carry a small premium over the variable entry rate in exchange for payment certainty during the initial period.
Because NBF operates at a smaller scale than the UAE's mega-banks, rates and credit decisions can be more case-specific. A YOUAE adviser will pull NBF's live indicative pricing alongside comparable offers from the wider panel so you can evaluate the deal on an apples-to-apples basis.
Eligibility
NBF applies UAE Central Bank residential-mortgage regulations and its own internal credit criteria:
- Minimum salary: approximately AED 10,000 per month for salaried employees; self-employed applicants are assessed on verifiable net profit.
- Employment status: salaried employees of UAE-registered or international companies, and self-employed/business-owner borrowers with documented income, are both considered.
- Residency: NBF primarily serves UAE residents. Non-resident buyers should discuss lender options with a YOUAE adviser, as appetite varies.
- Loan-to-value: up to 80% for residents purchasing a primary residence valued under AED 5 million; 75% above that; lower caps for investment properties.
- Age: minimum 21 at application; loan must mature before the applicable UAE Central Bank age limit (typically 65 for salaried, 70 for self-employed).
- Documents required: passport, residence visa, Emirates ID, three to six months' bank statements, salary certificate or recent pay slips; self-employed applicants also provide trade licence and audited or certified financial accounts.
Fees and costs
Transaction costs are largely determined by the emirate and property type, not the lender. In Dubai, the standard one-off purchase costs total approximately 7%:
- Dubai Land Department (DLD) transfer fee: 4% of the purchase price
- Agency commission: typically 2% of the purchase price
- Mortgage registration fee: 0.25% of the loan amount, paid to DLD
- Property valuation fee: approximately AED 2,500–3,500
- Bank processing/arrangement fee: varies; typically 0.5–1% of the loan amount
- DLD trustee office fee: small fixed amount payable on transfer day
Important: if you are buying in Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, or another Northern Emirate — where NBF has its deepest roots — the transfer-fee structure differs from Dubai's. Confirm the applicable local fees before budgeting. YOUAE advisers can walk you through the cost breakdown for your specific emirate. Explore Dubai-specific mortgage costs.
Why compare NBF through a broker
NBF's value as a lender is not always visible on a headline-rate comparison. Its willingness to consider borrower profiles that larger banks auto-decline, its Northern-Emirates property expertise, and its relationship-led credit process can make it the right choice for buyers who have been turned down elsewhere or are purchasing outside the main Dubai and Abu Dhabi markets. Equally, NBF will not always be the best price for a straightforward Dubai apartment purchase — which is precisely why an unbiased whole-of-market view matters. YOUAE places your case with the lender best suited to it, not the one with the loudest marketing. Start a comparison.
How to apply with YOUAE
- Discovery call — a YOUAE adviser discusses your property goals, income type, and timeline (free, no obligation).
- Market sweep — we gather indicative terms from NBF and the full UAE lender panel and present a clear comparison.
- Application submission — once you select a lender, we prepare the full application pack and manage the bank's document requests and queries.
- Valuation and formal offer — the bank commissions a valuation; a formal mortgage offer follows on satisfactory outcome.
- Transfer coordination — we work alongside your conveyancer and the relevant land department to complete the transaction.
Begin your mortgage application with YOUAE
Q: Is NBF a good option for buying property in the Northern Emirates?
Yes — NBF is one of the few UAE mortgage lenders with genuine depth in the Northern Emirates market. If you are purchasing in Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, or Ajman, NBF's local knowledge and branch presence can be an advantage over banks that primarily serve Dubai and Abu Dhabi. A YOUAE adviser will compare NBF against all available lenders for your target emirate.
Q: Will NBF consider my application if I am self-employed?
NBF does consider self-employed applicants, assessing income on the basis of documented net profit rather than a salary certificate. You will typically need two years of audited accounts, a valid trade licence, and supporting bank statements. Self-employed income assessment varies by bank, and YOUAE can identify which lenders on the panel are most accommodating for your specific income structure.
Q: What is the early-settlement fee on an NBF mortgage?
Under UAE Central Bank regulation, early-settlement fees are capped at 1% of the outstanding loan balance or AED 10,000, whichever is lower. NBF applies this cap. If you are considering a property as a short-to-medium-term hold, your YOUAE adviser will model the cost of early settlement as part of the overall deal comparison.
Thinking about a mortgage with NBF or want to see how it stacks up against the rest of the UAE market? Talk to a YOUAE adviser today — independent, whole-of-market, and free to you.