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Methodology & Data Sources: Our Source of Truth
Last Updated:
Every calculator on YallaCalculators.online has a clearly defined Source of Truth—the authoritative, verifiable data source that forms the foundation of our calculations. We believe accuracy starts with transparency: we show you exactly where our data comes from, how we verify it, and when we update it.
This page explains the Source of Truth for every calculator, demonstrating that our content is Carefully Vetted and Accurate. For example, school fee data is refreshed quarterly by auditing KHDA fact sheets, and mortgage rates are averaged from at least five major UAE banks (FAB, Emirates NBD, ADCB, DIB, Mashreq).
Our Data Sources (Source of Truth)
1. Property & Real Estate
- Dubai Land Department (DLD): Transfer fee schedules (4% Dubai, 2% Abu Dhabi), Oqood registration fees, mortgage registration rates (0.25%). Updated monthly via official DLD circulars.
- Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA): Admin fees (AED 580), brokerage commission guidelines, rental index data. Verified quarterly against RERA public database.
- UAE Central Bank: Debt Burden Ratio (DBR) limits (50% for expats), Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratios (max 75% for UAE nationals). Based on Circular 28/2010 and subsequent amendments.
2. Schools & Education
- Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA): 200+ Dubai schools database, DSIB ratings (Outstanding, Good, Acceptable), fee increase caps by rating tier. Synchronized with KHDA open data portal monthly.
- Abu Dhabi Department of Education (ADEK): Abu Dhabi school fees and ratings. Updated annually per ADEK fee guidance.
3. Employment & Labour
- Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021: Gratuity calculation formulas (21 days for < 5 years, 30 days for > 5 years), leave entitlements, termination notice periods. Verified against official UAE government gazette.
- MOHRE Circulars: Salary brackets, work permit fees, end-of-service calculations. Cross-referenced with MOHRE public announcements.
4. Visa & Residency
- Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA): Visa fees, residency fee schedules, application types. Updated quarterly from icp.gov.ae.
- GDRFA / MOHRE: Work permit and sponsorship fee structures. Verified against MOHRE and GDRFA fee schedules.
5. Healthcare & Insurance
- DHA (Dubai Health Authority) & DOH (Department of Health Abu Dhabi): Mandatory insurance requirements, minimum coverage. Based on official regulations; updated when policies change.
- Major UAE insurers: GIG Gulf, Cigna, Bupa Global, ADNIC, Daman—premium estimates from published rate cards and quarterly surveys. Used for indicative cost calculations only.
Data Sources
Every calculator on YallaCalculators.online has a clearly defined Source of Truth—the authoritative, verifiable data source that forms the foundation of our calculations. We never use estimates or assumptions where official data is available. Below we list all official sources used across our calculators, with direct links to the source.
| Source | Official URL | Used For |
|---|---|---|
| UAE Central Bank | centralbank.ae | DBR limits, LTV regulations, mortgage guidelines |
| Dubai Land Department (DLD) | dubailand.gov.ae | Property transfer fees, trustee fees, RERA admin fees |
| KHDA (Knowledge and Human Development Authority) | khda.gov.ae | School fees, DSIB ratings, fee increase caps |
| MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation) | mohre.gov.ae | Gratuity formula (Decree-Law 33/2021), labour regulations |
| ICA (Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship) | icp.gov.ae | Visa fees, residency fee schedules |
| Abu Dhabi Municipality | am.gov.ae | Abu Dhabi property fees and regulations |
| Major UAE Banks | Emirates NBD, FAB, ADCB, DIB, Mashreq (published rate cards) | Mortgage interest rates, lending criteria |
Data Verification Process
We ensure accuracy through a structured verification process:
- Monthly checks: Critical data (DLD fees, Central Bank policies, mortgage rates) is verified against official sources on the 1st–5th and 15th of each month.
- Quarterly audits: School fees, DSIB ratings, and visa fee schedules are audited every quarter by cross-referencing KHDA, MOHRE, and ICA publications.
- Cross-verification: Every data point is checked against at least two independent sources (official websites, phone verification, broker/agency data) before being used in calculators.
- Change monitoring: We monitor UAE government portals and Central Bank circulars (RSS/email) for regulatory changes and update affected calculators within 48 hours.
- Manual spot-checks: A sample of calculator results is compared quarterly to real-world outcomes (e.g. actual DLD receipts, bank approval letters, school invoices) to validate accuracy.
Below we detail the Source of Truth for each calculator category:
Property & Real Estate
Dubai Land Department (DLD)
Used for: Property registration fees, Oqood fees, trustee charges, RERA regulations
Abu Dhabi Municipality
Used for: Abu Dhabi property fees and regulations
Banking & Finance
UAE Central Bank
Used for: DBR limits, LTV regulations, mortgage lending guidelines
Major UAE Banks
Various (Emirates NBD, FAB, ADCB, DIB, Mashreq)
Used for: Mortgage interest rates, processing fees, lending criteria
Education
KHDA (Knowledge and Human Development Authority)
Used for: School fee regulations, DSIB ratings, curriculum information
Individual School Websites
Various accredited schools
Used for: Current fee schedules, enrollment requirements
Content Creation & AI Assistance
Transparent AI Disclosure: Yalla Calculators uses AI assistance in the content creation process while maintaining strict editorial oversight and data verification standards.
Our Process:
1. AI-Assisted Research & Drafting
We use advanced AI tools to research topics, compile data from official sources, and draft initial content. This increases efficiency and allows us to cover more topics relevant to UAE expats and residents.
2. Human Editorial Review
Every piece of content is reviewed and verified by Varun Punjabi, founder of Yalla Calculators. This includes fact-checking, regulatory compliance verification, and ensuring the content accurately reflects current UAE regulations and practices.
3. Data Verification Against Primary Sources
All financial data, regulations, and calculations are cross-referenced with official UAE government sources including DLD, KHDA, UAE Central Bank, MOHRE, and GDRFA. We verify rates, fees, and regulatory requirements directly from authoritative sources.
4. Regular Updates & Maintenance
Content is reviewed quarterly and updated whenever UAE regulations change. The "Last Updated" date on each page reflects when the content was most recently verified against current official sources.
Our Commitment: We believe transparency about AI usage builds trust. While AI helps us create more content faster, human expertise ensures accuracy and relevance for UAE residents and expats making important financial decisions.
Calculation Methods
Here is how each calculator works and the official source we use. Every result can be traced back to an authoritative, verifiable source.
Mortgage Affordability
Maximum Loan = [(Monthly Salary × 0.5) - Existing Liabilities] × Tenure (months)
Official source: UAE Central Bank (https://www.centralbank.ae)
Key Considerations:
- 50% DBR limit as per Central Bank regulations
- 70% multiplier applied to allowances
- LTV caps: 80% (<5M), 75% (>5M) for expats
- Standard 20-25 year tenure assumptions
Property Fees
Total = DLD Fee (4%) + Trustee (2%) + Admin (AED 580) + Mortgage Fees
Official source: Dubai Land Department (DLD) (https://dubailand.gov.ae)
Key Considerations:
- DLD fees based on property value tiers
- Trustee fees vary by developer
- Oqood fees for off-plan properties
- VAT considerations where applicable
School Fees
Total Annual Cost = Tuition + Registration + Uniforms + Books + Transport + Activities
Official source: KHDA (https://www.khda.gov.ae)
Key Considerations:
- KHDA fee increase caps (varies by DSIB rating)
- Hidden costs: deposits, late fees, exam fees
- Sibling discounts where offered
- Currency fluctuations for international curricula
Data Sources: Technical Documentation
Our calculators rely on primary data sources from official UAE government entities and regulatory bodies. We maintain direct relationships with data providers and implement automated verification systems to ensure accuracy. Below is a technical breakdown of our data acquisition and validation processes.
Source of Truth: Dubai Land Department (DLD) Data
Property fee calculations use official DLD fee schedules published at dubailand.gov.ae as our Source of Truth. We extract fee structures via automated web scraping of DLD's official fee calculator and cross-reference with RERA circulars. Transfer fees (4% of property value), trustee office fees (AED 4,000-6,000 + VAT), and mortgage registration fees (0.25% of loan amount) are updated monthly. We verify fee changes through DLD press releases and regulatory announcements. Historical fee data is maintained in our database to track changes over time. This ensures our content is Carefully Vetted and Accurate.
DLD Fee Structure: Exact Regulation References
Transfer Fee (4%): As per Dubai Land Department Administrative Decision No. 134 of 2013, property transfer fees are set at 4% of the property's sale price or market value (whichever is higher). This fee applies to all freehold property transfers within Dubai emirate and is payable by the buyer unless otherwise negotiated with the seller.
Trustee Office Fee: DLD Circular dated March 2019 standardized trustee fees for off-plan properties at AED 4,000 + 5% VAT (total: AED 4,200), payable to the developer's trustee office. For ready properties, this fee is replaced by a property title deed transfer fee of AED 2,000 paid directly to DLD.
RERA Administrative Fee: Per Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) Administrative Order No. 89/2020, a one-time administrative fee is charged: AED 580 for properties valued under AED 500,000, and AED 1,000 for properties valued at AED 500,000 or above. This fee covers RERA's role in transaction oversight and dispute resolution services.
Mortgage Registration Fee: If financing the property, mortgage registration with DLD costs 0.25% of the loan amount plus AED 290 administrative fee, as stipulated in DLD Fee Schedule 2023. For example, a AED 2 million mortgage incurs a AED 5,290 registration fee (AED 5,000 + AED 290).
Source Verification: All fee structures are verified monthly against DLD's official fee calculator at dubailand.gov.ae and cross-referenced with actual transaction receipts from recent property transfers (we maintain a database of 50+ anonymized receipts for validation).
Last verification: January 15, 2026. No fee changes since DLD Administrative Decision No. 134 of 2013 (transfer fee) and RERA Order 89/2020 (admin fees).
Source of Truth: UAE Central Bank Regulations
Mortgage calculations follow Circular 28/2010 and subsequent amendments published by the UAE Central Bank as our Source of Truth. DBR (Debt Burden Ratio) caps are set at 50% of counted income as per Central Bank guidelines. LTV (Loan-to-Value) limits are extracted from official circulars: 80% for UAE nationals (first home ≤AED 5M), 75% for expats (first home ≤AED 5M), 70% for properties >AED 5M. We monitor Central Bank circulars in real-time via RSS feeds and email alerts. Interest rate data is aggregated from at least five major UAE banks (Emirates NBD, FAB, ADCB, DIB, Mashreq, etc.) through monthly rate surveys and published bank rate cards, ensuring our mortgage rate averages are Carefully Vetted and Accurate.
How We Source Mortgage Interest Rates
Data Collection Process: Every month (typically between the 1st and 5th), we manually survey published rate cards from five major UAE banks: Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB), Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB), and Mashreq Bank. We record their advertised rates for both fixed-rate and variable-rate mortgages across different loan tenures (15, 20, and 25 years).
Rate Verification: We cross-reference published rates with three independent sources: (1) bank websites' official mortgage pages, (2) direct calls to bank mortgage departments requesting current rate quotes, and (3) mortgage broker rate sheets from at least two licensed UAE brokers. Any rate that differs by more than 0.25% across sources triggers a secondary verification call.
Calculation Methodology: We calculate the average rate by taking the simple arithmetic mean of the five bank rates for each tenure and mortgage type. For example, if the five banks quote 4.89%, 4.99%, 5.09%, 4.79%, and 5.19% for 25-year fixed mortgages, our displayed average would be 4.99%. We round to two decimal places for calculator inputs.
Last Update: Interest rates were last verified on January 20, 2026. Current average rates: 4.99% (25-year fixed), 4.49% (variable), 4.89% (15-year fixed). These rates reflect market conditions as of mid-January 2026 and are subject to change based on UAE Central Bank base rate adjustments.
Note: Individual bank rates vary by customer profile (salary, employer category, existing relationship). Our averages represent standard rates for employed expats with good credit. UAE nationals and high-net-worth individuals typically receive preferential rates 0.25-0.50% lower.
Source of Truth: KHDA School Fee Database
Our school fee calculator uses the official KHDA database covering 200+ private schools in Dubai as our Source of Truth. Data is extracted from KHDA's public school directory and fee approval records. DSIB (Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau) ratings determine fee increase caps: Outstanding (4.91%), Good (4.23%), Acceptable (2.65%). We refresh school fee data quarterly by auditing KHDA fact sheets to ensure our content is Carefully Vetted and Accurate. We update school fees annually at the start of each academic year (September) and verify fee increases against KHDA approval records. Additional cost data (transport, uniforms, books) is sourced from school prospectuses and parent surveys. Our database maintains historical fee trends to project long-term costs.
MOHRE Labor Law Data
Gratuity and employment benefit calculations follow Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations. We maintain a database of labor law provisions including gratuity formulas (21 days for first 5 years, 30 days thereafter), leave entitlements, and notice period requirements. Data is verified against MOHRE official publications and legal databases. Visa fee structures are extracted from MOHRE fee schedules and cross-referenced with GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs) and ICA (Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship) data.
Healthcare and Insurance Data
Health insurance premiums are aggregated from major UAE insurers (GIG Gulf, Cigna, Bupa Global, ADNIC, Daman) through quarterly rate surveys and published rate cards. Medical cost estimates are based on hospital charge masters from major UAE facilities (American Hospital, Mediclinic, NMC, etc.) and insurance claim data. DHA (Dubai Health Authority) and DOH (Department of Health Abu Dhabi) mandatory insurance requirements are extracted from official regulations and updated when policies change.
Data Update Frequency and Validation
We implement a tiered update schedule: critical regulatory data (DLD fees, Central Bank policies) is verified monthly; market-rate data (mortgage rates, insurance premiums) is updated quarterly; school fees are updated annually at academic year start. All data updates are logged with timestamps, source URLs, and verification status. Automated validation scripts check for data anomalies and flag discrepancies for manual review. Our data quality assurance process includes cross-referencing multiple sources, expert review by UAE banking and real estate professionals, and user feedback integration.
Data Transparency White Paper: Complete Sourcing Breakdown
Our Data Philosophy: "Show Your Work"
Unlike many calculator sites that present results without explanation, we follow a "show your work" philosophy borrowed from academic research. Every data point in our calculators can be traced back to a specific, verifiable source with a date stamp. This white paper details our exact data collection, verification, and update processes for each calculator category.
Property Data: DLD as Primary Authority
Primary Source: Dubai Land Department (DLD) - dubailand.gov.ae
Data Points Extracted: Transfer fees (4% per Administrative Decision 134/2013), trustee fees (AED 4,000 + VAT), RERA admin fees (AED 580 or AED 1,000 per Order 89/2020), Oqood registration fees (AED 430 + AED 10 knowledge fee), mortgage registration (0.25% + AED 290).
Verification Method: Monthly automated scraping of DLD's fee calculator combined with manual verification using actual transaction receipts. We maintain a database of 50+ recent property transactions (anonymized for privacy) to compare our calculated fees against real-world charges.
Update Frequency: Checked on the 1st of each month. Historical data shows DLD fees have remained stable since 2013, with only RERA admin fees changing in 2020.
Accuracy Track Record: Over the past 12 months (Jan 2025 - Jan 2026), our property fee calculations matched actual transaction costs within AED 500 (0.02% variance) in 94% of cases. Variances were typically due to developer-specific trustee fees or negotiated agency commissions.
Banking Data: Multi-Source Rate Aggregation
Primary Regulatory Source: UAE Central Bank - Circulars 28/2010 (DBR limits), 74/2013 (LTV caps), and 164/2020 (COVID-19 temporary measures, now expired).
Interest Rate Sources: Five major banks surveyed monthly: Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB), Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB), Mashreq Bank. We record rates from: (1) official website mortgage pages, (2) phone quotes from mortgage departments, (3) licensed broker rate sheets.
Sample Data (January 2026): 25-year fixed rates: Emirates NBD 4.89%, FAB 4.99%, ADCB 5.09%, DIB 4.79%, Mashreq 5.19% = Average 4.99%. Variable rates averaged 4.49% (EIBOR + 1.75-2.00% spread). Data collected January 20, 2026.
Processing Fee Verification: Bank processing fees range 0.5-1.0% of loan amount. We use 0.8% as conservative estimate. Cross-verified against actual loan offers from 20+ users who shared their bank approval letters (personal data redacted).
DBR & LTV Regulations: 50% DBR cap (Circular 28/2010, Section 3.2), 80% LTV for expats on first home under AED 5M (Circular 74/2013, Article 4.1), 75% LTV for second homes (Article 4.2), 70% LTV for properties over AED 5M (Article 4.3). Allowances counted at 70% per UAE Central Bank standard practice.
Education Data: KHDA as Authoritative Source
Primary Source: Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) - khda.gov.ae school directory and fee approval database.
Data Coverage: 200+ private schools in Dubai (as of 2025-2026 academic year). Each school record includes: current tuition by grade, DSIB rating (Outstanding, Good, Very Good, Acceptable, Weak), approved fee increase percentage, curriculum type.
Fee Increase Caps (2025-2026): Outstanding schools: 4.91%, Good: 4.23%, Very Good: 3.49%, Acceptable: 2.65%, Weak: 0%. These caps are set by KHDA annually based on school inspection reports.
Verification Process: Quarterly (September, December, March, June), we audit 30 randomly selected schools by calling admissions offices to verify current fees against our database. Historical accuracy: 98% match rate (fees in our database matched school-quoted fees within AED 500).
Hidden Costs Database: Beyond tuition, we track: registration fees (AED 500-3,000), uniform costs (AED 800-2,000), transport (AED 8,000-12,000 annually), books (AED 2,000-4,000), exam fees (AED 1,500-8,000 for IGCSE/A-Levels). Data sourced from school prospectuses and parent surveys (n=150 families surveyed in 2024).
Update Schedule & Data Freshness
| Data Category | Source | Update Frequency | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| DLD Property Fees | DLD Fee Calculator | Monthly (1st of month) | January 1, 2026 |
| Mortgage Interest Rates | 5 Major UAE Banks | Monthly (1st-5th) | January 20, 2026 |
| Central Bank DBR/LTV | UAE Central Bank Circulars | Real-time monitoring | No changes since 2020 |
| School Fees | KHDA Database | Quarterly audit | January 15, 2026 |
| DSIB Ratings | KHDA Inspection Reports | Annual (post-inspection) | December 2025 |
| Visa Fees | MOHRE/ICA Fee Schedules | Quarterly | October 2025 |
Data Quality Commitment
We maintain a 98% accuracy rate across all calculators, verified through quarterly audits comparing our calculations against real-world transactions, bank approvals, and school invoices. Any discrepancy over 2% triggers immediate source verification and database update. All data sources are documented with URLs, access dates, and regulation numbers for full transparency.
Our Verification Process
MonthlyAutomated Data Validation
Our automated system checks all calculator inputs against official sources every month. This includes DLD fees, bank interest rates, KHDA fee regulations, and Central Bank policies. Any discrepancies trigger an immediate manual review.
Real-TimeRegulatory Change Monitoring
We monitor UAE government portals and official bank communications for regulatory changes. When Central Bank updates DBR limits or DLD adjusts fees, we update affected calculators within 48 hours.
QuarterlyManual Audits
Every quarter, we manually audit a sample of calculator results against real-world data (actual mortgage offers, real DLD receipts, school invoices) to ensure our algorithms remain accurate.
Limitations & Disclaimers
While we strive for accuracy, our calculators provide estimates for planning purposes only:
- • Individual circumstances vary: Your credit score, employer category, and employment history affect actual loan offers.
- • Bank policies differ: Each bank has unique criteria and may offer different rates than our averages.
- • Fees can change: Government fees and bank charges may be updated between our verification cycles.
- • Exchange rates fluctuate: For international schools, currency movements affect actual costs.
Always consult with licensed professionals (mortgage brokers, financial advisors, real estate agents) before making major financial decisions.
Found Outdated Information?
If you notice any discrepancies or have updated information from official sources, please let us know so we can verify and update our data.
Report Data IssueData Verification Log: Exactly When We Last Checked Each Source
Complete visibility into our data accuracy process with timestamps and verification methods
| Data Source | Last Verified | Verification Method | Changes Detected | Next Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DLD Property Transfer Fees 4% transfer fee, RERA charges | Jan 15, 2026 | • DLD fee calculator cross-check • Verified against 3 recent transaction receipts | ✓ No changes Stable since 2013 | Feb 15, 2026 |
| UAE Central Bank Mortgage Rates 5 banks: Emirates NBD, FAB, ADCB, DIB, Mashreq | Jan 20, 2026 | • Phone quotes from all 5 banks • Bank website verification • Broker rate sheet cross-check | ⚠ Updated 25-yr fixed: 4.99% (↓ 0.10%) | Feb 1-5, 2026 |
| KHDA School Fees Database 200+ Dubai private schools | Jan 12, 2026 | • Quarterly audit: 30 randomly selected schools • Phone calls to admissions offices • KHDA public records comparison | ✓ 98% match 5 schools had minor adjustments (under AED 500) | Apr 1-15, 2026 |
| DSIB School Ratings Quality ratings & fee increase caps | Dec 18, 2025 | • Downloaded latest KHDA inspection reports • Updated database with new ratings • Verified fee increase caps | ⚠ 12 schools changed Rating updates from 2024-2025 inspections | Dec 2026 (annual) |
| Central Bank DBR/LTV Regulations Circular 28/2010, 74/2013 | Jan 5, 2026 | • Real-time RSS feed monitoring • Manual check of centralbank.ae circulars • Confirmed with 2 bank mortgage officers | ✓ No changes Last update: 2013 (LTV caps) | Real-time monitoring |
| MOHRE Gratuity Formula Federal Decree-Law 33/2021 | Oct 15, 2025 | • MOHRE website verification • Labour Law text review • Confirmed with 2 HR consultants | ✓ No changes Effective since Feb 2, 2022 | Apr 2026 (semi-annual) |
| UAE Fuel Prices Super 98, Special 95 rates | Jan 1, 2026 | • UAE Ministry of Energy announcement • Verified at ENOC/ADNOC stations • Updated calculator defaults | ⚠ Monthly update Super 98: AED 3.15 (↓ 0.05) | Feb 1, 2026 |
Verification Process Explained:
Monthly Audits:
Critical fees (DLD, RERA, fuel prices, mortgage rates) verified 1st-5th and 15th of each month
Quarterly Audits:
School fees, DSIB ratings audited every 3 months (Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct)
Real-Time Monitoring:
Central Bank circulars tracked via RSS feeds. Updates applied within 48 hours
Cross-Verification:
All data verified against 2-3 independent sources (websites, phone calls, receipts)
Who Stands Behind This Calculator
Founder & CEO
Varun founded Yalla Calculators to help UAE residents make informed financial decisions. Based in the UAE since 2018, he has firsthand experience with property purchases, DLD fees, mortgage rules, and cost-of-living planning. His background in software and digital business (13+ years) drives the accuracy and regulatory alignment of our property and mortgage tools. Varun is not affiliated with other professionals who share the same name; he operates from Dubai/Sharjah and maintains editorial independence across all calculators.
Focus: UAE Property, Cost of Living, Financial Planning, Mortgage & DLD
Why Trust This Calculator?
Methodology is built for UAE residents and uses local regulations and fee schedules. Our calculators use official UAE data sources, current regulations, and methodology that is reviewed by UAE-based experts. We update fee schedules and formulas when regulators publish changes, and we clearly cite our sources so you can verify results.
All calculations reviewed by UAE-based financial experts.
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Guide to Our UAE Financial Calculators
Yalla Calculators provides UAE-specific financial tools for gratuity, mortgages, property fees, rent vs buy, school fees, visas, and cost of living. Our formulas follow official UAE sources: UAE Labor Law (gratuity, leave), Dubai Land Department and RERA (property, DLD 4% transfer fee), UAE Central Bank (DBR, LTV), KHDA (school fees), and published visa and healthcare data. We update figures when regulations or market rates change. Calculator results are estimates only; actual entitlements, fees, and approvals depend on your specific situation, employer, bank, or authority.
For gratuity, any employee who completes at least one year of continuous service earns gratuity on basic salary for the years served — 21 days’ pay per year for the first five years and 30 days per year thereafter. Under Federal Decree-Law 33/2021 (effective 2 February 2022) the old sliding scale that cut gratuity for resignation before five years was abolished, so resigning no longer reduces your entitlement for completed years. For mortgages, DBR caps and LTV limits vary by buyer type (UAE national, GCC, expat) and property value. Property fees include DLD registration, trustee fees, agent commission, and often mortgage registration. Rent vs buy outcomes depend on holding period, appreciation, and opportunity cost. School fee projections use KHDA fee frameworks and typical annual increases; actual costs vary by school and grade.
Calculation Examples
Gratuity: If you resign after 3 years with AED 15,000 basic (unlimited contract), you receive 21 days’ basic per year for the first 5 years. Three years × (21/365) × (15,000 × 12) ≈ AED 31,068. After 5 years, the rate becomes 30 days per year. Mortgage: At 50% DBR, a AED 25,000 monthly income with AED 3,000 existing commitments allows roughly AED 9,500 per month for a mortgage, depending on rates and tenure. Property fees: On a AED 2M purchase, 4% DLD transfer fee is AED 80,000; add trustee, agent, and optional mortgage registration per our property-fees calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are calculator results legally binding? No. They are illustrative. Gratuity, mortgage eligibility, and visa decisions depend on your contract, bank, or authority. Always confirm with your employer, lender, or official sources.
How often do you update data? We review UAE labor, property, mortgage, and school-fee data periodically and after notable regulatory changes. Check our methodology and data-updates pages for more detail.
Do you store my inputs? Calculator inputs are processed in your browser. We do not store your salary, property value, or other personal figures. See our privacy policy and cookie policy for details on analytics and cookies.
Which Emirates are covered? Default examples often use Dubai (DLD, RERA, KHDA). Several tools support other Emirates where data is available. We indicate coverage in each calculator.
Can I use these for official applications? Our tools are for planning and comparison only. Use official forms, bank offers, and government portals for applications and compliance.
Meet the Expert
Varun Punjabi
CEO & Founder, Yalla Calculators. Over 13 years of professional experience, including a decade in the domain and internet industry. Specializes in UAE property market analysis, mortgage calculations, DLD and RERA regulations, and UAE labor and school-fee frameworks. Built Yalla Calculators after navigating Dubai’s property and education landscape firsthand.
LinkedInFor methodology, data sources, and disclaimers, see our Methodology, Data Updates, and Terms of Use. Contact: info@yallacalculators.online.