People living in the UAE can borrow in France whatever their nationality, with typical financing of 50–70% of the price. Because there is no personal income tax, banks build the file from your salary certificate, employment contract and bank statements. The dirham is pegged to the US dollar, so your euro exposure behaves like a dollar earner's. Lenders look closely at expatriate contracts, since your residence visa depends on your job.
What French banks will lend
For a French bank, the UAE is outside the EU, and lenders that accept Gulf residents typically finance 50–70% of the price. On top of the deposit, purchase costs of 7–8.5% on an existing home come from your own funds. Many lenders set a minimum loan for non-residents, commonly €100,000–250,000.
The repayment test is the one every French borrower faces: all your loan repayments, including borrower insurance, may not exceed 35% of net household income, over 25 years at most.
Your nationality and where you live
The bank looks first at where you live and earn. British, French, Indian and other nationals living in the UAE are assessed in much the same way. French citizens living abroad are non-residents for the bank and follow the same rules.
US citizens and green card holders are the exception, because the FATCA filter follows them wherever they live. If that applies to you, read the guide for Americans first.
Documents when there is no tax return
The UAE levies no personal income tax, so you have no tax return or assessment to show. Banks rely on other proof of income.
- Passport for each borrower, Emirates ID and residence visa
- Salary certificate from your employer showing basic salary and allowances
- Employment contract, with its start date and any fixed term
- Last three payslips
- Six months of statements for the account your salary is paid into
- Statements for any loans or car finance
- Business owners: trade licence and company accounts for two to three years
- Proof of where the deposit comes from, for the bank's and the notaire's anti-money-laundering checks
Expatriate contracts and gratuity
Your residence visa is tied to your job, and a French bank knows it. A long record with the same employer, an open-ended contract and salary paid into the same account every month make the file stronger. A recent move or a short fixed-term contract can lead the bank to ask for more savings or a larger deposit.
The end-of-service gratuity you build up is a one-off payment, so banks usually do not count it as income. Once paid, it can serve as evidence of savings or as part of the deposit.
Dirhams, dollars and euros
The dirham is pegged to the US dollar, so converting to euros carries the same risk as for a dollar earner. The euro repayment on a fixed-rate loan never changes, while its cost in dirhams moves with the euro against the dollar. A forward contract can fix the rate for the deposit, and monthly transfers can run at an agreed margin through our currency partner.
Tell us where you are and what you want to buy in the eligibility check, and we will introduce you to one broker who places files from the Gulf.
Questions
Can I get a French mortgage without a tax return?
Yes. UAE residents have no income tax return to show, so banks use your salary certificate, employment contract, payslips and bank statements instead.
Does my nationality matter if I live in Dubai?
Mostly no. Banks assess where you live and earn. US citizens are the main exception, because of FATCA reporting.
How much deposit do UAE residents need?
Typically 30–50% of the price, since banks finance 50–70% for buyers living outside Europe. Purchase costs of 7–8.5% on an existing home come on top.