The most direct way to get an official, subsidized housing loan in Lebanon today is through Banque de l'Habitat (BDH), also called the Housing Bank. In 2025 the government approved doubling the loan ceiling from $50,000 to $100,000, and the bank now runs the whole process online in fresh US dollars. This is the channel that is actually lending right now.
The older route, housing loans issued by commercial banks in partnership with the Public Corporation for Housing (PCH), largely stalled after the 2019 financial crisis, when banks stopped granting new real estate and consumer loans. Several banks still list a "PCH housing loan" product on their sites, but new lending through that scheme has been limited. For a loan you can apply for today, the Housing Bank is the practical option.
What the Housing Bank Actually Offers
BDH grants long-term loans in fresh USD of up to $100,000 to buy or build a home, and up to $50,000 to renovate an existing residence. The loan can also cover the installation of a solar system and a wastewater treatment station, subject to extra approvals.
For a purchase loan, the term runs up to 20 years and the interest rate is 6% per year, with an annual percentage rate of 6.60%. The construction loan runs up to 18 years at the same 6% rate, with a grace period of up to 24 months while the home is being built. The minimum loan amount is $20,000, and the loan cannot exceed 80% of the bank's guarantee on the property.
The funding behind the higher ceiling comes from a credit line tied to the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, with further facilities reported to be under negotiation with the Qatar Fund for Development and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development. BDH CEO Antoine Habib has said a separate $100 million facility was pledged by Qatar to rebuild homes damaged by Israeli strikes, with reconstruction loans of $10,000 to $50,000 repayable over 15 years.
Who Qualifies
The income rule is the one most applicants check first. To borrow the full $100,000, the family's combined monthly net income must be between $2,500 and $5,000. That figure can include the earnings of spouses, children, grandparents, and guarantors living under the same household.
Beyond income, the borrower must have held Lebanese citizenship for at least 10 years, have a clean judicial record, and have a clear credit history with no blacklisting in the past decade. Applicants must have been in the job market for at least two years before applying, with proof of regular income such as an employer salary certificate and fresh-dollar bank statements.
Two ratios decide how much you can borrow. Total monthly obligations cannot exceed 45% of household net income, and the monthly loan installment cannot exceed 33% of that income. The home itself must be used only for family housing, and a purchase unit cannot be larger than 150 square meters.
The loan is open to both residents and expatriates. Employees can borrow up to age 64, while self-employed people and free professionals can borrow up to age 70, provided the loan runs at least seven years. The bank has also stated there is no geographic discrimination, loans are available to eligible citizens regardless of where in Lebanon they live.
Step by Step: How to Apply
Applications are submitted online through the BDH digital platform, not at a branch counter. The bank has stressed that it works directly with customers and does not use brokers or intermediaries, so applicants should avoid anyone offering to file on their behalf for a fee.
Start at the bank's website, banque-habitat.com.lb, and choose the loan type that fits your case: purchase, construction, or renovation. Create an account and log in to the platform. Note that the platform is open only on working days, from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and is closed on weekends and official holidays.
Fill in the application form, then upload the required documents. These typically include proof of income, an employer salary certificate, bank statements in fresh dollars, and identity and property papers. Once the file is complete and approved, the funds are released.
For a purchase, BDH pays the money directly to the seller, but only after ownership has legally transferred to the borrower and the bank holds the new title deed and a first-degree mortgage. For construction, the money is released to the borrower in stages as building progresses. At signing, the borrower also takes out a life insurance policy paid monthly in fresh USD and a home insurance policy paid yearly.
Before You Start
Run your own numbers against the two ratios first, since the 33% installment cap is what most often decides the approved amount. Gather your salary certificate and at least two years of income proof before you log in, because the platform asks for them up front. And because the online window is short each day, it helps to have every document scanned and ready before 8:00 AM.
The bank's hotline is 1620 and its main line is +961 1 954500 for applicants who need to confirm current document requirements, which can change. Anyone weighing a 20-year loan in fresh dollars should also confirm the latest rate and terms directly with BDH, as the bank notes its interest rate is subject to amendment.
