How UAE banking fees work
Central Bank oversight
Consumer banking in the UAE is governed by the Central Bank’s Consumer Protection Regulation and Standards. Banks must publish clear schedules of fees and submit up-to-date fee information to the Central Bank annually by 31 January. They also provide Key Facts Statements (KFS) for products. CBUAE Regulation · CBUAE 3.3.1 Fees
What banks can (and can’t) charge
Certain fees and commissions are standardized or require Central Bank approval, and banks must disclose charges in advance. Articles 10–11: Fees & Commissions.
Common account fees (and typical amounts)
| Fee | What it is | Typical amount (examples) | How to avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum balance fall-below | Monthly charge if your balance dips under the account’s threshold. | Often AED 25/month; e.g., CBI lists AED 25 and a AED 3,000 minimum balance. CBI SOC (2023) | Use a salary transfer or “zero-balance” account, or keep a buffer above the threshold. |
| Account closure (early) | Charged if you close the account within a set period (e.g., 6 months). | AED 100 within 6 months (example: CBI). Source | Keep the account active past the minimum period or choose an account without early closure penalties. |
| Cheque book & returns | Extra cheque books and returned cheque penalties. | One cheque book free; additional book ~AED 25. Returned cheque ~AED 100. CBI SOC. Some Islamic accounts list AED 1.05 per additional cheque leaf after a free bundle. UAB Islamic SOC (2025) | Use digital payments where possible; keep funds available to avoid returns. |
| Statements & letters | Charges for paper statements, liability letters, etc. | Commonly AED 25–60 per item. Example schedule | Opt for e-statements and request letters only when needed. |
Good to know: Banks must disclose fees, and many offer packages that waive several charges if you meet salary or balance criteria. Always check the Key Facts Statement / Schedule of Charges before opening or switching.
Transfers & remittances
Domestic transfers
Local UAE transfers via online/mobile channels are often free on many bundles, but branch transfers can incur small fees. For example, Emirates NBD’s price guide shows free online local transfers (shared charge option) and notes specific Central Bank charges depending on OUR/SHA/BEN options and corridors. For AED transfers outside the UAE via CBUAE, correspondent fees of AED 105 can apply. ENBD SOC (2024/25)
International transfers
Pricing depends on corridor, channel, and package. In mid-2025, Emirates NBD announced a AED 26.25 fee on certain international transfers (including DirectRemit) from September 1, 2025, while clarifying that DirectRemit remains free to key destinations (India, Pakistan, Egypt, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, UK) and that some premium segments are fee-exempt. Always check the latest DirectRemit page and your schedule. DirectRemit · Coverage: Gulf News
Inward remittances
Some banks charge to receive funds in foreign currency. Example: Commercial Bank of Dubai lists inbound currency payments equivalent to AED 26.25. CBD Fees
Tip: When sending, the SHA (shared) option usually minimizes your upfront fee, but intermediary/correspondent banks may still deduct their charges from the amount received. Use bank-partnered instant rails (e.g., DirectRemit) where available.
Card fees: FX markups, cash advances & DCC
Foreign currency markups
Card transactions in non-AED currencies usually incur two layers: a scheme fee (Visa/Mastercard, ~1%±) and an issuer markup (varies by bank/product). Example: Emirates NBD shows a 1.99% international transaction fee on debit purchases, in addition to a ~1.15% Visa processing fee. ADCB schedules also note an issuer fee charged on top of network costs. ENBD debit FX fee · ADCB fee note
Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)
Abroad, merchants/ATMs may offer to bill you in AED instead of the local currency. This “convenience” often adds 5–7% via a poor exchange rate. Always choose to pay in the local currency and let the network/bank convert. Visa explainer
Cash advance & late/over-limit fees
Cash advances on credit cards attract immediate finance charges and fees; late payment fees and higher finance rates can apply if you miss due dates. See your card’s schedule (e.g., Emirates NBD credit card fees PDF). ENBD Credit Card Fees
ATM fees (UAE & abroad)
Using your own bank’s ATMs in the UAE is typically free for withdrawals and balance checks. Using other banks’ ATMs via the UAE Switch, GCC Net, or international networks can incur per-transaction fees. Emirates NBD’s public schedule lists:
| ATM type | Cash withdrawal | Balance enquiry |
|---|---|---|
| Other UAE bank (UAE Switch) | AED 2.10 | AED 1.05 |
| GCC Net (within GCC) | AED 6.30 | AED 3.15 |
| International (outside GCC) | AED 21.00 (typical) | Often free if available |
Reference: ENBD SOC ATM section. Emirates Islamic similarly notes free usage on their own/ENBD ATMs and possible charges on other banks’ machines, depending on your package. Emirates Islamic ATM fees
Branch vs. digital service fees
Most banks price online/mobile transactions more cheaply than branch or call-center services. Some even add small branch service fees for over-the-counter requests that are available digitally. Example: ADCB introduced selected branch service fees in September 2024. ADCB branch service fee
12 ways to minimize or avoid fees
- ✔ Pick a salary-transfer or zero-balance account to avoid fall-below charges.
- ✔ Keep a small buffer (e.g., +AED 500) above the minimum balance.
- ✔ Use your bank’s own ATMs; if not, withdraw larger, less frequent amounts.
- ✔ Send money via bank-partnered instant rails (e.g., DirectRemit corridors) where fees are waived.
- ✔ For international transfers, compare SHA vs. OUR; avoid unnecessary correspondent charges.
- ✔ When abroad, pay in the local currency and decline DCC.
- ✔ Use cards with lower FX markups; avoid cash advances on credit cards.
- ✔ Go digital for statements/letters; paper copies often cost extra.
- ✔ Watch “early account closure” windows—wait until the penalty period ends.
- ✔ If you receive funds in foreign currency frequently, ask your bank how inbound fees are handled.
- ✔ Set payment alerts to avoid late fees and punitive finance rates.
- ✔ Re-check your bank’s Schedule of Charges annually—prices do change.
Primary sources & further reading
- Central Bank of the UAE—Consumer Protection Regulation & Standards: Regulation · 3.3.1 Fees (annual submission) · Articles 10–11
- Emirates NBD—Personal Banking Schedule of Charges (ATM, FX, transfers): PDF · Key Facts: KFS hub
- Emirates NBD—DirectRemit service details & segment exemptions: Product page · News context (2025 changes): Gulf News
- Commercial Bank International (CBI)—Retail Schedule of Charges (minimum balance, fall-below, closure, cheques, cards): PDF
- Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD)—Fees & Charges (inward currency payments, loans): Page
- ADCB—Fee notes incl. FX processing on top of network charges: PDF · Branch service fees: Notice
- Emirates Islamic—ATM fee overview: Support page
- UAB (Islamic)—Schedule of Charges (cheque leaves, etc.): PDF
- Visa—Dynamic Currency Conversion explained: Guide
Disclaimer: Fees change and can vary by package, channel, and customer segment. Always confirm the latest Schedule of Charges and KFS for your specific account before transacting.
