Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) has launched an off-plan mortgage at 3.49% fixed for three years — one of the lowest rates on the Dubai market.
The product, recently announced, lets buyers secure pre-approval for up to 50% of a property’s value before construction completes, with zero processing or valuation fees during the launch window.
ADCB isn’t the first bank to offer off-plan mortgages — Emirates NBD and Mashreq have competing products — but on rate alone, it now leads. Here’s how the three top options actually compare.
⚡ The 30-Second Brief
- 🏗 ADCB: 3.49% fixed 3 years, 12-month pre-approval, zero fees
- 🏗 Emirates NBD: ~3.99% fixed, embedded in Meraas/Nakheel/Sobha sales
- 🏗 Mashreq: ~4.49% with salary transfer, instant digital pre-approval
- 🏗 All require top-tier developers only (Emaar, DAMAC, Sobha, etc.)
- 🏗 All cap pre-approval at 50% of property value
ADCB Off-Plan Mortgage
ADCB has recenetly announced a new off-plan mortgage product. Buyers can apply for pre-approval covering up to half the property’s value at the planning stage, with the rate fixed at 3.49% for the first three years post-handover. Pre-approval lasts 12 months and renews annually until handover. Processing and valuation fees are waived during the introductory three-month window. The product comes in both conventional and Islamic (Sharia-compliant) versions.
Off-plan mortgages aren’t new in Dubai — Emirates NBD, Mashreq, ADIB, HSBC, FAB and DIB have all offered them for years. But the market got more active recently. Emirates NBD launched a major partnership with Dubai Holding on 16 April 2026, embedding mortgage approval directly into Meraas, Nakheel and Dubai Properties’ off-plan sales process. A week earlier, the same bank signed a similar deal with Sobha Realty. Mashreq launched the UAE’s first fully digital home-loan pre-approval in January, returning a verified letter on the same day.
So the real question for any Dubai buyer considering off-plan in May 2026: which of the three top options actually fits your situation — ADCB, Emirates NBD, or Mashreq?
ADCB vs Emirates NBD vs Mashreq: side by side
The full breakdown
| Feature | ADCB | Emirates NBD | Mashreq |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed rate | 3.49% (3 yrs) | ~3.99% (3 yrs) | ~4.49% with salary transfer / 4.99% without |
| Max LTV at off-plan stage | 50% | 50% | 50% |
| Pre-approval validity | 12 months, renewable | Valid until handover | 90 days (standard) |
| Processing fee | Zero (intro) | ~1% standard | ~1% standard |
| Valuation fee | Zero (intro) | Standard | Refundable on salary transfer |
| Pre-approval speed | 2-5 days | 2-5 days | Same-day digital |
| Developer integration | Approved-list lookup | Embedded in Meraas/Nakheel/Dubai Properties/Sobha sales | Approved-list lookup |
| Islamic option | Yes | Yes (via Emirates Islamic) | Yes (via Mashreq Al Islami) |
| Min salary (expat) | ~Dh20,000/month + transfer | ~Dh15,000-20,000/month | ~Dh15,000/month |
Which bank fits which buyer
💰 Choose ADCB if you want the cheapest rate
- 3.49% fixed for 3 years is currently the lowest off-plan rate in Dubai
- 12-month pre-approval covers most reasonable construction delays
- Zero fees in the launch window save Dh10-15k upfront
- Best fit: salary above Dh20k, willing to transfer salary, buying from Emaar/DAMAC/Sobha
🏢 Choose Emirates NBD if you’re buying Meraas, Nakheel, Sobha, or Dubai Properties
- The mortgage process is built directly into the developer’s sales journey
- Pre-approval at booking stage — before signing the SPA
- Available to non-residents (most banks restrict off-plan to residents)
- Best fit: buyers who haven’t picked a project yet but want maximum smoothness
⚡ Choose Mashreq if you need speed
- Same-day digital pre-approval letter
- Lower minimum salary (Dh15k) for first-time buyers
- Refundable property valuation fee on salary transfer
- Best fit: buyers in active negotiation who need to move fast
What all three have in common
Beneath the marketing, the three products share more than they differ on. UAE Central Bank rules constrain all banks the same way, so the underlying structure is consistent.
- 50% LTV cap at off-plan stage — bank pays half, buyer pays half via developer plan
- Approved developer list — Emaar, DAMAC, Sobha, Aldar, Meraas, Dubai Holding etc.
- Tranche-based release — bank pays in stages aligned with construction milestones
- Earned income only — dividends or investment income alone don’t qualify
- 40-50% project completion required before the bank disburses
How to apply: the three contact paths
| Bank | How to start |
|---|---|
| ADCB | SMS “HF” to 2626 (conventional) or “IHF” to 2626 (Islamic) • ADCB Dream Home portal |
| Emirates NBD | Apply through the developer’s sales office (Meraas, Nakheel, Sobha, Dubai Properties) or Emirates NBD home loans |
| Mashreq | Online digital pre-approval at Mashreq home loans |
Q: Should I just apply to all three?
A: No. Multiple credit checks within a short window can drag down your credit score with the Al Etihad Credit Bureau. Use a licensed mortgage broker to compare offers using soft enquiries, then submit a formal application to the chosen bank. Brokers charge no fee to the buyer — banks pay them on completion.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Is ADCB the only bank offering an off-plan mortgage in Dubai?
A: No. Emirates NBD, Mashreq, ADIB, HSBC, FAB and DIB all offer off-plan mortgages. ADCB’s 2 May 2026 launch is notable for the rate (3.49%) and the 12-month pre-approval validity, not for being first.
Q: What’s the lowest off-plan mortgage rate in Dubai right now?
A: ADCB’s 3.49% fixed for 3 years (announced 2 May 2026) is currently the lowest published rate. Emirates NBD’s standard rate is around 3.99%, Mashreq’s around 4.49% with salary transfer.
Q: How much can I borrow for an off-plan property in Dubai?
A: Up to 50% of the property value during construction across all three banks. The remaining 50% is funded through the developer’s payment plan or your own cash. Once handover happens, the mortgage can be increased to standard LTV (80% for resident expats on a first property).
Q: Which Dubai developers qualify for off-plan mortgages?
A: Tier-one names including Emaar, DAMAC, Sobha, Aldar, Meraas, Nakheel, Dubai Holding, Binghatti and Danube. Each bank maintains its own approved list — confirm before signing the SPA.
Q: Can non-residents get a Dubai off-plan mortgage?
A: Emirates NBD’s Dubai Holding partnership explicitly opens to non-residents. Most other off-plan products are resident-only or require larger down payments (40-50%) for non-residents.
Q: Is the ADCB 3.49% rate fixed for the whole loan?
A: No. The 3.49% is fixed for the first 3 years post-handover. After that, the rate moves to ADCB’s variable structure tied to EIBOR.
Sources: Khaleej Times, Emirates NBD, Gulf News.
Bank rates and rules are subject to change. This story is just for educational purposes. Do your due diligence before choosing a bank or plan.
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