What are the conditions for a Banque de l'Habitat housing loan in 2026?

Also asked as: “What are the requirements for a BDH housing loan in Lebanon?” · “Who is eligible for a Banque de l'Habitat loan?” · “BDH loan conditions 2026” · “Can I get a BDH loan if I live abroad?”

Who can borrow#

Banque de l'Habitat (BDH) lends only to people who have held Lebanese citizenship for at least 10 years and have full legal capacity. Foreigners cannot get a BDH loan, and neither can Lebanese naturalised less than 10 years ago^[1,2]. You also need a clean judicial record and a clear credit history, and you must not have been blacklisted in the past 10 years.

Your age limits the loan. You must be able to work until it is repaid (employees to 64, self-employed to 70^[1,2]), and the loan cannot run for less than 7 years, so your age caps the term you can get. BDH is open to residents and expatriates^[1,2,3]. It asks for at least two years in the labour market and regular income, shown by an official employment certificate and regular bank statements in fresh US dollars or other proof of income. For non-residents it also counts housing rent among their charges.

BDH does not say which foreign payslips or statements it accepts, or whether they must be legalised. Ask BDH before you apply. More in BDH loans for Lebanese living abroad.

Income, debt limits and the rate#

To get the full USD 100,000, your family's net income must be USD 2,500 to 5,000 a month (family net income)^[1,2,3]. BDH publishes no income bands for smaller loans. An-Nahar reported in September 2026 that the amount you actually get depends on your situation and the eligibility rules, and Beirut.com wrote in June 2025 that the USD 2,500 floor excludes many Lebanese. If you earn less, see what income you need for a BDH loan.

Your total monthly debts may not pass 45% of household net income, and the BDH instalment may not pass 33% of the borrower's net income^[1,2]. BDH cut the rate from 6% to 5.75% on 1 July 2026, and its purchase page calls the rate "subject to amendment"^[1,5,6]. An-Nahar reported in September 2026 that the cut applies to loans funded by the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, so ask BDH whether your loan gets 5.75%. BDH's February 2026 Key Fact Statement fixed the then 6% rate for the first year only, and no source says whether the 5.75% rate is fixed the same way^[2].

BDH's own worked example, at the old 6% rate, gives USD 724 a month on USD 100,000 over 20 years, plus a USD 6 management fee and USD 13 for life insurance^[2]. BDH has not published an example at 5.75%.

Which home qualifies#

The flat can be no larger than 150 m²^[1,2,3]. It must be used only as your family's home. If you rent it out or use it as an investment or holiday home, the contract ends and the principal, interest and charges become due at once^[1,2]. If you already own an apartment, the new one must be at least 25 km from the home you own (see BDH loans when you already own a home). BDH gives one loan per borrower. You can apply again 2 years after the previous loan is settled, and a BDH loan cannot be used to repay an earlier debt or arrears.

The 20% down payment is measured against the bank's technical valuation, not the agreed price. If the bank values the flat below the price, you pay the difference in cash^[1,2]. Neither BDH's purchase-loan page nor its February 2026 Key Fact Statement sets a maximum building age or property price. The bank's valuation may still come in lower for an old building, so ask BDH before you agree a price.

BDH pays the seller directly, and only once the flat is registered in your name and the bank holds the new title deed and a first-degree mortgage certificate^[1,2]. That means the seller transfers the title to you before BDH pays them, and no published source explains how buyer and seller secure that gap. Ask BDH, and the notary or a lawyer, how both sides are protected before you sign anything. Because a registered title is needed, off-plan flats and homes without a title deed do not appear to qualify, though BDH does not say so outright. More in when BDH pays the seller.

Rules that apply after you sign#

The loan is paid only in cash in fresh US dollars^[1,2,3]. No source says whether you can pay instalments by transfer from a bank abroad, so ask BDH. Repayment starts after a 3-month grace period from signing^[1,2]. At signing you take life insurance, paid monthly, and home (fire) insurance, paid yearly, both in fresh US dollars and from insurers the bank accredits.

You cannot repay early, in full or in part, before 7 years from signing unless the bank agrees. After that, each prepayment carries a penalty fee whose size is not published^[1,2]. Mortgages registered for BDH pay no mortgage filing or release fee, but the purchase registration fee, notary and stamp charges still apply.