A down payment is the portion of a property’s price a buyer pays from their own funds, with the rest covered by a mortgage. Its minimum size is set by the loan-to-value limits banks must follow.
Where you’ll see it
You’ll provide the down payment when buying with a mortgage. The minimum depends on whether the buyer is a UAE national or expatriate, whether it is a first or subsequent property, and the property value the precise figure should be confirmed against current rules.
Why it matters
The down payment is usually the largest single sum a buyer needs upfront, on top of transfer and other fees. Underestimating it is a common reason purchases stall, so calculating it early alongside fees is essential to budgeting.
What it is not
A down payment is not the deposit paid to reserve a property at offer stage, though the two are sometimes confused; it is the buyer’s equity contribution at completion. It also does not include the transfer and registration fees, which are extra.
Example
On a mortgaged purchase, a buyer pays the required percentage of the price as a down payment from savings, with the bank funding the balance, and pays the transfer fees separately.
Connected documents and parties
Mortgage offer, proof of funds, completion statement; buyer, bank, seller.
Going deeper: related reading: loan to value.
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Last reviewed: June 2026