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.
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:
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 –
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.
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.
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 –
| Period | Date Payment | Opening Balance | Monthly Principal | Monthly Interest | Closing Balance |
|---|
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
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, 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 |
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Loan Amount | Up to AED 150,000 |
| Reducing Interest Rates | Ranging between 15.99% – 34.99% per annum |
| Salary Transfer | Not Required |
| 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 |
|
| 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 |
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Finance Amount |
|
| Grace Period | Up to 120 days |
| Takaful Coverage | Included |
| Eligibility Type | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Age |
|
| 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 |
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
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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