Which UAE developers can you get a mortgage for?
Not every developer is equally financeable. Banks keep approved-developer and approved-project lists, and where your developer sits on those lists affects whether you can get an off-plan mortgage, at what stage, and how smoothly the handover mortgage goes. This guide ranks the major UAE developers by how easily banks finance them — and links to a full financing guide for each.
In this guide
How banks decide which developers to finance
Three things drive a developer's financeability: track record (do they deliver on time?), escrow compliance (is the project properly registered with a DLD-monitored escrow account?), and construction stage (off-plan lending usually starts around 40% completion). Established master developers clear all three easily, which is why banks finance them readily both off-plan and at handover. Smaller developers are still financeable at handover — once the unit is complete and titled — but may have fewer off-plan options.
Blue-chip master developers — easiest to finance
These sit on virtually every bank's approved list, are pre-approved for off-plan schemes, and enjoy the deepest lender competition (so the sharpest rates on handover mortgages):
- Emaar — Dubai's flagship developer (Downtown, Dubai Marina, Creek Harbour, Dubai Hills). Financed everywhere; pre-approved on off-plan schemes.
- Nakheel — Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali. Dubai Holding developer covered by the Emirates NBD off-plan partnership.
- Meraas — City Walk, Bluewaters. Also Dubai Holding; ENBD off-plan partnership.
- Aldar — Abu Dhabi's leading developer (Yas, Saadiyat). Widely approved; pre-approved on Mashreq off-plan.
Strong mid-tier developers
- DAMAC — large private developer with the most accessible off-plan entry (lower ~30% buyer contribution threshold on the 2026 schemes).
- Sobha — premium, quality-focused; a dedicated Emirates NBD off-plan tie-up and an ADIB route for Islamic finance.
- Binghatti — fast-growing, distinctive design; on several banks' approved lists.
Accessible & affordable developers
Financed at handover by most banks; popular with first-time buyers and investors for their low entry points and generous plans:
- Azizi — large pipeline across Al Furjan, MBR City and Riviera.
- Danube — famous 1%-monthly, interest-free plans; often ridden to handover then mortgaged.
- Reportage — affordable, high-volume communities in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
- Samana — private-pool, investor-focused units with strong post-handover plans.
Financing an off-plan or ready property?
We compare 20+ UAE banks and confirm which finance your developer and project — free. The bank pays us, never you.
Which developers have off-plan financing tie-ups?
As of 2026, a handful of bank–developer partnerships let you secure financing before completion — a real advantage if you want the bank's money working earlier:
| Scheme | Developers covered | Key terms |
|---|---|---|
| Mashreq off-plan product | Emaar, Dubai Holding, Aldar (pre-approved) | From ~35% construction, up to 50% LTV, loans to AED 10M |
| Emirates NBD × Sobha | Sobha Realty | Dedicated off-plan tie-up (2026) |
| Emirates NBD × Dubai Holding | Meraas, Nakheel, Dubai Properties | Open to residents and non-residents on eligible projects |
| ADIB (Islamic) × Sobha | Sobha Realty | Sharia-compliant off-plan from ~35% completion |
Every bank keeps its own approved-project list, so always confirm your specific project — not just the developer — before committing. That's exactly what we check for you.
Full financing comparison
| Developer | Tier | Off-plan financing | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emaar | Blue-chip | Pre-approved (Mashreq / ENBD) | Emaar → |
| Nakheel | Blue-chip | ENBD partnership | Nakheel → |
| Meraas | Blue-chip | ENBD partnership | Meraas → |
| Aldar | Blue-chip (AD) | Mashreq pre-approved | Aldar → |
| DAMAC | Mid-tier | Accessible (low contribution) | DAMAC → |
| Sobha | Premium | ENBD + ADIB tie-ups | Sobha → |
| Binghatti | Mid-tier | Select banks | Binghatti → |
| Azizi | Accessible | Handover; select off-plan | Azizi → |
| Danube | Accessible | Handover (1% plan to then mortgage) | Danube → |
| Reportage | Affordable | Handover | Reportage → |
| Samana | Accessible | Handover (post-handover plans) | Samana → |
Whichever developer you're considering, the smartest move is the same: confirm which banks finance your exact project, then compare their rates. Send us your project and we'll do both — free.
Related guides & tools
Getting the best financing for each developer tier
Knowing a developer is financeable is only half the job — the other half is getting the sharpest terms. The right approach differs by tier:
Blue-chip developers (Emaar, Nakheel, Meraas, Aldar)
Because every bank competes to finance these, your advantage is rate competition. Don't accept the first offer — the gap between the sharpest and an average rate on a large loan can run into six figures over the term. For off-plan, check whether your project qualifies for a Mashreq or Emirates NBD tie-up, which can bring financing in earlier. For premium units above AED 5M, focus on lenders strongest on high-value lending, where the LTV steps down to 70%.
Mid-tier developers (DAMAC, Sobha, Binghatti)
Here the edge is matching the plan to the financing. DAMAC's low off-plan contribution threshold suits buyers who want to enter early with less cash; Sobha's clean 60/40 plan pairs neatly with mortgaging the 40% handover payment; and for Islamic finance, Sobha's ADIB route is purpose-built. Confirm the specific project is on the lender's list, as mid-tier approvals are more project-by-project than blue-chip.
Accessible & affordable developers (Danube, Azizi, Reportage, Samana)
With these, the smart play is usually to ride the generous developer plan through construction, then mortgage the handover balance — you get interest-free instalments during the build and an up-to-80% mortgage at the end. Watch one quirk on very affordable units: a property priced too low can fall below some banks' minimum loan size, so confirm financeability early. For post-handover plans (Samana, Danube), you can also refinance the remaining balance into a mortgage later.
Frequently asked questions
Which developers can you get a mortgage for in the UAE?
Almost any developer's completed, titled unit can be mortgaged at handover (up to 80% LTV for an expat first home). For off-plan financing before completion, blue-chip developers — Emaar, Nakheel, Meraas, Aldar, plus DAMAC and Sobha — are easiest, as they sit on banks' approved lists and off-plan schemes. We confirm which banks finance your specific project.
Do banks have approved developer lists?
Yes. Each UAE bank maintains its own approved-developer and approved-project list, especially for off-plan lending. A developer being 'approved' isn't enough — the specific project must qualify too, and off-plan drawdowns typically start around 40% construction completion. We check your exact project against lenders' lists.
Can I get an off-plan mortgage for a DAMAC or Emaar property?
Yes. Emaar is pre-approved on off-plan schemes (Mashreq, ENBD partnerships), and DAMAC offers one of the most accessible off-plan entry points, with a lower buyer-contribution threshold on the 2026 schemes. Off-plan LTV is capped at 50%; alternatively you can mortgage the handover payment at up to 80%. See our Emaar and DAMAC financing guides.
Which developers have bank off-plan financing partnerships?
As of 2026: Mashreq's off-plan product is pre-approved for Emaar, Dubai Holding and Aldar; Emirates NBD has tie-ups with Sobha and with Dubai Holding (Meraas, Nakheel, Dubai Properties); and ADIB structures Sobha off-plan for Islamic finance. Terms and project eligibility vary — we confirm what applies to yours.
Can I finance a property from a smaller or affordable developer?
Yes — at handover, most banks finance completed units from developers like Danube, Reportage, Azizi and Samana (up to 80% LTV for an expat first home). Off-plan options may be fewer, so many buyers ride the developer's plan through construction and mortgage the handover balance. We match you to the right lenders.
Figures and rules are indicative for 2026 and change frequently; they are estimates, not financial, legal or mortgage advice. LTV caps and lending policies are set by the banks and the UAE Central Bank; payment-plan terms are set by the developers. Always confirm current terms before committing.