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Personal Loans in UAE

Personal loans in the UAE can be a smart solution for handling major expenses—whether it’s for travel, home renovation, education, medical needs, or debt consolidation. But with so many banks and financial institutions offering different rates, fees, and approval conditions, choosing the right loan can be overwhelming.

What is a Personal Loan?

A personal loan in the UAE is a type of financing that allows you to borrow money without providing any collateral or guarantor. Since it is an unsecured loan, you can use the funds freely for different purposes — whether it’s an international vacation, higher education, debt consolidation, home renovation, medical expenses, or even major life events like weddings.

When you apply for a personal loan, you agree to repay the borrowed amount in monthly installments along with interest. In the UAE, personal loan interest can be calculated using a reducing balance rate or a flat rate. The rate you receive depends on factors such as:

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Personal Loan Interest Rate in UAE

Personal loan interest rates in the UAE vary as per the bank, your credit profile, income, and whether the salary is being transferred to the lending bank. In the UAE, personal finance rates can be divided into two categories –

Flat Interest Rate –

A flat rate is estimated on the principal amount throughout the repayment period, irrespective of how much of the loan has been cleared. This results in higher total interest paid compared to reducing the balance rates. Flat rates are often lower, but the actual cost can be higher when compared with reducing rates, especially if you don’t settle the loan early.


Illustration
If you borrow AED 100,000 at a 4% flat rate for 4 years, the total interest would be AED 16,000 (4% of AED 100,000 × 4 years), and your total repayment would be AED 116,000. In this case, the monthly instalments would be around AED 2,417.

Reducing Interest Rate –

A reducing personal loan interest rate is applied to the outstanding balance, meaning the interest payable decreases as the principal is repaid. This results in lower overall interest payments compared to flat rates.


Illustration

If you borrow AED 100,000 at a 7% reducing rate over 4 years, the interest is calculated on the decreasing balance, not the full amount. The first month’s interest would be higher, but as the principal reduces, so does the monthly interest portion. 

Over the loan tenure, the total interest paid would be significantly less than a flat-rate loan with a similar percentage, particularly if you choose to repay it before completion.

Types of Personal Loans in Dubai, UAE

Personal loans in UAE come in a variety of options — you can find ample options to meet your specific financial needs and eligibility criteria. Here is a look at some of the common types of personal loans in Dubai, UAE –

 

  • Personal Loans for UAE Nationals – These loans are specifically designed for UAE nationals, often featuring favourable terms such as higher loan amounts and lower UAE personal loan interest rates.
  • Personal Loans for Expatriates – Expats in the UAE can also access personal loans that are crafted to suit their specific conditions and residency status. These loans might have slightly different terms compared to those for UAE nationals.
  • Personal Loans with Salary Transfer – For a personal loan with salary transfer, you need to transfer your monthly salary directly to the bank offering the loan. Generally, such a loan comes with lower interest rates and is considered the best personal loan in UAE.
  • Personal Loans without Salary Transfer – For those who prefer not to transfer their salary to the lender, there are options available that don’t require salary transfer. However, keep in mind that these loans might carry a higher interest rate due to the increased risk to the lender.
  • Personal Loans for Self-Employed Professionals – If you’re a self-employed individual in the UAE, you can get these loans. Such loans often require proof of income through bank statements. They accommodate the variable income patterns of entrepreneurs and freelancers.
  • Personal Loans without Company Listing –Typically, banks prefer lending to employees from listed companies because of perceived stability. However, some lenders do offer loans to individuals whose employers are not listed with the bank. Note that these might come with higher UAE personal loan interest rates.

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Get the Best Personal Loan from the Top UAE Banks

Citi Bank Credit Card
First Abu Dhabi Bank
Standard Chartered Bank

HSBC

ADCB

Liv

Emirates NBD

Invest Bank

RAK Bank

ADIB

Commercial Bank of Dubai

Dubai Islamic Bank

Sharjah Islamic Bank

Finance House

Ajman Bank

deem

Dubai First

NBQ

Emirates Islamic

Emirates Islamic

CBI

NBF

Al Hilal Bank

United Arab Bank

Arab Bank

Al Mawarid

AAFAQ

Mashreq

Bank of Sharjah

Wio Bank

Top 5 Banks for Personal Loan in UAE with Low-Interest Rate and Different Loan Offers

While we took a brief look at the best personal loans in UAE earlier, it’s time for a deep dive. In this section, we will break down the top 5 options from the leading banks – giving you a closer look at what each plan offers beyond the basics. You will find more details on interest rates, eligibility, features, and what makes each loan stand out. So whether you’re looking for lower instalments, swift approvals, or any other perk, this comparison will help you identify the best options that meet your needs.

HSBC

HSBC, with a presence of almost eight decades in the UAE, is one of the leading providers of personal finance in the Emirates. With interest rates starting from just 6.99% p.a., it’s an excellent choice for those seeking low-cost borrowing. Coming with additional perks such as loan top-up, buyout, and more, it can be used to finance all your personal needs — whether it’s education, travel, home improvement, and more.

Parameter Description
Loan Amount Up to AED 500,000
Reducing Interest Rate Starting from 6.99% per annum
Top-up Option Available after the initial 12 successful monthly repayments
Life Insurance Complimentary offering

Deem Finance

Next on the list of best personal loans in UAE is the Deem Finance Personal loan. This loan, vouched for its high transparency, comes with a high amount of AED 150,000 and is available at a low salary of AED 5,000. It stands out for its flexible repayment periods and not requiring a salary transfer. Plus, with quick eligibility checks and minimal documentation requirements, it’s a convenient option for borrowers seeking a hassle-free process.
Parameter Description
Loan Amount Up to AED 150,000
Reducing Interest Rates Ranging between 15.99% – 34.99% per annum
Salary Transfer Not Required

Dubai Islamic Bank

Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) is a popular name among those seeking Sharia-compliant personal finance options in the UAE. Offering loan amounts of up to AED 4 million, it’s ideal for those seeking high financing. One of its most remarkable features is the 120-day period for the first instalment, giving you breathing room to plan your finances. With a low fixed interest rate and quick processing, this loan presents a combination of convenience and affordability.
Parameter Description
Loan Amount Up to AED 4 Million for UAE nationals Up to AED 2 Million for expats
Fixed Interest Rate Starting from 4.9% per annum
Reducing Interest Rate Ranging between 5.99% – 21.99% per annum
First Instalment in Up to
  • 120 days — for UAE nationals
  • 90 days — for expats

RAKBANK

RAKBANK, founded in 1976, is another trusted name offering some of the top personal loans in UAE. Known for its seamless documentation and swift approvals, it is a good choice for those who quickly need to access financing for personal requirements. One of its key advantages is the flexibility it offers through loan top-ups and deferments, which makes it easier for you to manage your finances on the go!
Parameter Description
Fixed Interest Rate Starting from 2.85% per annum
Reducing Interest Rate Starting from 5.49% per annum
Monthly Payment Holidays Up to 2 monthly deferments
First Payment Holiday First instalment deferment up to 120 days

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) personal finance is a Sharia-compliant option with high financing amounts, which can go up to AED 3 million. Its profit rates, meanwhile, are competitive and keep the borrowing within your budget. With pre-approvals quickly done in 30 minutes, you can easily get the financing you need without much hassle. Moreover, if you face issues in repayment due to unfortunate circumstances, you can make two instalment postponements for free.
Parameter Description
Finance Amount
  • Up to AED 3 Million for UAE nationals
  • Up to AED 1 Million for UAE expats
Grace Period Up to 120 days
Takaful Coverage Included

Eligibility Criteria to Apply for Personal Loan in UAE & Dubai

Eligibility Type Criteria
Age
  • Minimum: 21 years
  • Maximum:
    • 65 years for expats
    • 60 years for UAE nationals
Salary Central Bank has removed fixed minimum salary requirement (bank-specific criteria apply)
Nationality UAE nationals and expatriates
Employment Status Salaried and self-employed individuals

Document Required to Apply for a Personal Loan in Dubai

Given is a list of the general documents required for personal loan application processing –

✔️ Emirates ID

✔️  Passport

✔️ UAE Residence Visa

✔️ Latest 3-6 Months’ Bank Account Statement

✔️ Latest Salary Certificate

✔️ Security Cheque


Note

📝 All the documents must be valid

📝 Keep the originals and copies of each document handy

📝 Additional documents may be required

Got a question?

A personal loan is an unsecured loan that allows you to borrow money without needing any collateral. You can use it for travel, education, medical expenses, weddings, debt consolidation, or any personal financial need.

No. Personal loans in the UAE are typically unsecured, meaning you do not need to provide any asset as security.

This depends on the bank. Minimum salary requirements generally range from AED 3,000 to AED 10,000 per month.

Repayment terms usually range from 12 to 48 months, though some banks may offer up to 60 months depending on the customer profile.

Most banks require:

  • Emirates ID

  • Passport & visa copy

  • Salary certificate or employment letter

  • Recent bank statements (3–6 months)

  • For self-employed: trade license + financial statements

The borrowing limit depends on your income, credit score, existing liabilities, and bank policies. Many lenders offer loans up to 20–25 times your monthly salary.

Banks offer two types of interest rates:

  • Flat rate – calculated on the entire loan amount

  • Reducing rate – calculated on the outstanding balance

Reducing rates generally reflect the true cost of the loan more accurately.

Yes. Many lenders offer non-salary-transfer personal loans, although interest rates may be slightly higher.

Absolutely. Personal loans are widely available to UAE residents of all nationalities, as long as they meet the bank’s eligibility requirements.

Yes. Most banks allow early settlement with a small fee—usually up to 1% of the remaining loan amount.

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