Compare business loans and SME finance from UAE banks, calculate repayments with flat or reducing rates, check your eligibility and get your documents ready – whether you're on the mainland or in a free zone.
Bridging cash-flow gaps, buying equipment or importing stock – each need has a product built for it.
A revolving overdraft or short-term facility that bridges the gap between paying suppliers and getting paid by customers. Draw when you need it and pay interest only on what you use.
A lump sum repaid in fixed monthly instalments over 1 to 5 years – for expansion, fit-outs, new branches or hiring. Available secured or unsecured depending on your profile.
Letters of credit, bank guarantees, trust receipts and invoice discounting that keep goods moving through UAE ports while protecting both buyer and seller.
Borrow against your future card sales. Repayments are deducted as a small percentage of daily POS settlements, so you pay more when sales are high and less when they slow.
Finance machinery, medical equipment, trucks or fleet vehicles with the asset itself as security – typically with longer tenures and sharper rates than unsecured lending.
Murabaha, Ijara and Wakala structures from Islamic banks provide working capital, asset purchase and trade finance without interest – priced with a transparent profit rate.
Many UAE business loans are quoted as a flat rate, which looks lower than it is. Switch between the two and see the true equivalent rate instantly.
Compare indicative rates, limits and tenure across the most common business finance products in the UAE.
Rates and limits shown are indicative market ranges for illustration only. Pricing depends on your turnover, sector, security and credit history. Final terms and approval are always set by the lender.
Four quick questions give you an instant readiness score – no paperwork, no credit check.
Lenders assess sectors differently. Here's how finance typically works for the most common business types.
Letters of credit, trust receipts and invoice discounting keep stock moving through Jebel Ali and beyond – without tying up your cash.
Trade finance →POS-based finance repaid from daily card sales.
Merchant finance →Fit-out loans and working capital for new outlets.
Term loan →Performance bonds, guarantees and project-based finance.
Guarantees →Programmes for young SMEs, often with government backing.
Startup finance →Vehicle and fleet finance with the asset as security – typically longer tenures and lower rates than unsecured loans.
Equipment finance →Medical equipment and clinic expansion finance.
Explore →Machinery loans and raw-material working capital.
Explore →Consultancies, agencies and firms with recurring contracts can often access unsecured limits based on receivables and account turnover.
Unsecured loans →| Feature | Unsecured | Secured | Islamic (Murabaha / Ijara) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collateral | None – based on cash flow | Property, deposit, assets or receivables | Asset-backed by structure |
| Typical limit | Lower, linked to turnover | Higher, linked to security value | Varies by asset |
| Pricing | Higher rates | Lower rates | Profit rate, fixed or variable |
| Personal guarantee | Usually required from owners | Often required | Often required |
| Speed | Fastest | Slower (valuation, legal) | Moderate |
| Best for | Short-term working capital | Large, long-term investments | Sharia-compliant businesses |
Requirements vary slightly between mainland and free zone companies. Tick as you go.
Unsecured SME loans can be decided in days; secured facilities take a little longer.
Shortlist products that match your turnover, sector and need.
Submit the application with licence, statements and financials.
The bank checks AECB, cash flow, DSCR and may visit your premises.
Review the facility letter, security documents and guarantees.
Funds land in your company account – time to grow.
Several federal and emirate-level bodies support small businesses with funding, guarantees and advisory. Eligibility usually depends on nationality, sector and company size.
The federal development bank offers financing solutions for SMEs and startups in priority sectors such as manufacturing, food security, healthcare and advanced technology.
FederalThe Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development supports Emirati entrepreneurs in Dubai with licensing benefits, programmes and access-to-finance initiatives.
DubaiKhalifa Fund for Enterprise Development helps Emirati entrepreneurs in Abu Dhabi start and grow businesses through funding, training and mentoring.
Abu DhabiProgramme criteria change over time – check each organisation's official website for current eligibility.
Banks look at your debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) – how comfortably your operating profit covers all loan repayments. Above 1.25x is generally considered healthy.
The new instalment is taken from the loan calculator above.
Unlike raising equity, a business loan lets you keep 100% ownership. Used well, it smooths seasonal cash flow, funds new contracts and builds a credit record that unlocks bigger facilities later.
The rate is only part of the price. Ask every lender for the full schedule of charges.
A one-off charge, commonly a percentage of the loan plus VAT, deducted on disbursal.
Paying off early may carry a fee on the outstanding balance – check the facility letter.
Credit life cover on owners or asset insurance is often mandatory.
Missed instalments attract fees and are reported to AECB – protect your record.
Secured loans add valuation, mortgage registration and legal costs.
Some revolving lines charge on the unused portion of the limit.
Consistent turnover in your account is the strongest signal you can send.
Bounced cheques hurt company and personal scores alike.
Returns validate the revenue in your statements.
Audited financials unlock higher limits and better pricing.
Hover or tap a card to flip it.
SMEProducts, eligibility and how banks assess small businesses.
8 min readRead more →
RetailBorrow against your card sales and repay as you trade.
5 min readRead more →
RatesWhy a 7% flat rate can cost as much as 13% reducing.
4 min readRead more →Most banks lend to UAE-registered companies with a valid trade licence, typically at least 1–2 years of trading history, a minimum annual turnover and 6–12 months of business bank statements. Owners usually need a clean AECB credit record.
Yes. Many UAE banks lend to free zone companies. You'll need your free zone licence, certificate of incorporation, share certificate and lease agreement alongside financial statements.
A flat rate charges interest on the original loan amount for the full tenure, while a reducing rate charges interest only on the outstanding balance. A flat rate therefore looks lower – a 7% flat rate over 3 years is roughly 12–13% on a reducing basis.
Yes, unsecured business loans are available based on your turnover and cash flow, usually with a personal guarantee from the owners. Limits are lower and pricing is higher than secured loans.
It is harder because most banks require 1–2 years of trading. Startups may consider POS finance once they have card sales, or government-backed programmes such as Emirates Development Bank, Dubai SME or Khalifa Fund if eligible.
Unsecured SME loans can be approved in around 5–10 working days once complete documents are submitted. Secured facilities take longer because of valuation and legal documentation.
Typically a trade licence, MOA or incorporation documents, 6–12 months of company bank statements, audited financials, VAT returns, owners' passports, visas and Emirates IDs, and a tenancy contract or lease.
If you sign a personal guarantee, the facility and your repayment behaviour may be linked to your personal AECB record. Missed payments or bounced cheques can affect both company and personal scores.
No. Gulf Policy Souq helps you compare and understand business finance options. Loans are provided by banks and financial institutions, and approval is always subject to the lender's criteria.
Banks generally look for a debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.25x, meaning your operating profit is 25% higher than your total loan repayments. A higher DSCR improves approval chances and pricing.
Compare business finance, calculate repayments and get bank-ready in minutes – free, with no impact on your credit.