Collateral available includes, among others, immoveable property, commercial business inclusive of tangible and intangible elements of the business, certain instruments and debts, shares or an assignment of contractual rights. The UAE Commercial Code (Federal Law No. 18/1993) (the Commercial Code) and the UAE Civil Code (Federal Law No. 5/1985, as amended) (the Civil Code) are the main sources of legislation governing the granting of security in the UAE.

Other than immoveable property, which, especially in the case of Dubai, is subject to relatively clearer rules when it comes to creating a mortgage, security over other assets has to be carefully structured to meet the needs of the lenders.