Mortgages & home loans in Abu Dhabi.
Buying in the UAE capital costs noticeably less to register than Dubai. Abu Dhabi charges a lower transfer fee, and expats can own freehold within designated investment zones. We arrange your Abu Dhabi mortgage across every major UAE lender.
- Loan amount
- AED 1,200,000
- Total interest
- AED 750,257
- Total repayable
- AED 1,950,257
Abu Dhabi land registration.
Typical minimum monthly income (UAE-wide).
Residents, first home under AED 5M (UAE-wide).
Subject to a maximum age at term end.
Abu Dhabi property fees & charges
Registration in Abu Dhabi is handled by the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC), via the DARI platform. Fees here differ from other emirates, so it pays to budget accurately. Typical upfront costs are roughly 4–6% with a mortgage — cheaper than Dubai.
| Charge | Typical amount |
|---|---|
| Transfer fee (ADREC) | 2% (split 1% / 1%) |
| Mortgage registration | 0.1%–0.25% (confirm) |
| Agency commission | ~2% + 5% VAT |
| Valuation | ~AED 2,500–3,000 |
| Title deed / admin | ~AED 1,000 |
Transfer fee: Officially split 1% buyer / 1% seller, though it is often negotiated onto the buyer. Mortgage registration: Reported as 0.1%–0.25% of the loan — confirm the current figure with your lender or ADREC.
Fees are indicative and can change. Always confirm the current charges with the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre at the time of transfer. Since 2025, UAE banks can no longer add these fees to your loan — they are paid upfront in cash.
Freehold ownership in Abu Dhabi
Yes, for expats — but only inside ADREC-approved investment zones such as Yas Island, Saadiyat, Al Reem, Al Raha Beach, Al Reef and Masdar City. Property outside these zones is not freehold for non-GCC nationals.
What it costs to register in Abu Dhabi
On a property at AED 1,500,000, ADREC's 2% transfer fee is AED 30,000 — officially split 1% buyer / 1% seller, though it is frequently negotiated onto the buyer, so budget for the full AED 30,000 unless your MOU says otherwise. That is half what the same purchase would cost to register in Dubai, where the fee is a flat 4% (AED 60,000) borne entirely by the buyer.
Who buys in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi draws two distinct groups: government and energy-sector professionals who work in the emirate and want to stop renting, and investors who have run the numbers and noticed that the lower registration cost meaningfully improves a buy-to-let yield. The catch is that expat ownership is confined to ADREC-approved investment zones, so the choice of location is narrower than in Dubai even though the emirate is larger.
How to get a mortgage in Abu Dhabi
Mortgage rules are set UAE-wide by the Central Bank, so eligibility is similar across the emirates — it is mainly the registration fees that differ. The path is straightforward:
- Get pre-approved — we confirm what you can borrow, usually within a few days.
- Find your property and sign the MOU.
- Valuation and final offer from the bank.
- Register and transfer at the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre.
Compare lenders for your Abu Dhabi mortgage
We compare every major UAE bank — including Emirates NBD, FAB and HSBC — whether you're a resident or buying from abroad. See also our Dubai mortgages guide.
Abu Dhabi mortgage FAQs
How much are property fees in Abu Dhabi?
Abu Dhabi's transfer fee is 2% of the price (officially split 1% buyer / 1% seller). With agency, valuation and mortgage-registration costs, total upfront fees are typically around 4–6% with a mortgage — lower than Dubai's ~7–8%. Confirm current figures with ADREC at the time of transfer.
Can expats buy property in Abu Dhabi?
Yes, expats can own freehold property inside ADREC-designated investment zones (Yas, Saadiyat, Al Reem, Al Raha Beach, Al Reef, Masdar City and others). Outside these zones, foreign ownership is restricted.
What is the mortgage registration fee in Abu Dhabi?
Sources differ between 0.1% and 0.25% of the loan amount, plus admin. We confirm the exact current figure with the lender before you commit, so there are no surprises.
Is Abu Dhabi cheaper to buy in than Dubai?
On registration cost, yes — 2% versus 4%, and the Abu Dhabi fee is officially shared with the seller. Total upfront costs land around 4–6% with a mortgage rather than roughly 7%. Whether the property itself is cheaper depends entirely on the zone.
Can I buy anywhere in Abu Dhabi as an expat?
No. Expat freehold is limited to ADREC-approved investment zones — Yas Island, Saadiyat, Al Reem, Al Raha Beach, Al Reef and Masdar City among them. Property outside those areas is not available to non-GCC expats on a freehold basis.
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