What Exactly Is the AECB Credit Score?
In the UAE, your creditworthiness is summarized by a three-digit score issued by the
Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB).
Banks and other lenders use it to evaluate risk when you apply for credit cards, personal loans, car finance or mortgages. Major UAE banks also explain that the score
ranges between 300 and 900, with higher being better—see
Emirates NBD’s support page
for a plain-English overview.
Why Your Credit Score Matters in Dubai
- Loan & card approvals: A higher score can mean faster approvals, better limits and lower rates (see
Emirates NBD). - Debt Burden Ratio (DBR): UAE Central Bank guidance caps DBR at 50% of gross income, which lenders check alongside your AECB data. See CBUAE Rulebook:
Article (3): Important Ratios and
Regulation No. 29/2011. - Telco & utilities: UAE operators and service providers use AECB data; missed telecom or utility bills can hurt your score. See the federal portal
u.ae and industry release
Etisalat & du using AECB.
What Goes Into Your AECB Report (and Score)
According to the UAE government portal, the AECB report includes your Credit Score, your obligations and bills for the past 36 months, and your last reported salary.
Data is collected from banks, finance companies, telecom and utility providers, courts and government entities.
Source: u.ae (Official Portal).
How to Build and Maintain a Good Credit Score in Dubai
- Pay everything on time—every time. Late payments on loans, cards, telecom or utilities are among the biggest score killers. (See
bank guidance.) - Keep your credit utilization low. Try not to use most of your credit limits—lower utilization signals healthier risk management.
- Avoid cheque bounces. Bounced cheques are explicitly noted by banks as negative indicators in the UAE.
- Limit new applications. Multiple hard inquiries in a short window can drag your score; apply only when needed.
- Protect your oldest accounts. The length of credit history helps—don’t casually close your oldest, well-managed card.
- Mix, but don’t overextend. A balanced credit mix (e.g., one card + one installment loan) is fine; unnecessary facilities aren’t.
- Manage your DBR < 50%. Keep total monthly repayments within the Central Bank’s DBR guidance (see
CBUAE Rulebook). - Set up autopay & alerts. Use direct debits or app reminders so nothing slips through the cracks.
- Check your report twice a year. Correct errors and track progress via
AECB Credit Report or the AECB app (also via
u.ae). - New to the UAE? Consider a modest-limit or secured card, use it lightly, pay in full, and let 6–12 months of clean history compound.
How to Check (and Fix) Your Credit in the UAE
Get your score/report directly from AECB:
Get Credit Report & Score. If you see inaccuracies,
use AECB’s FAQs and Support
pages to learn how data correction works.
What Is Considered a “Good” Score?
UAE banks commonly treat 700+ as a healthy threshold for access to better credit terms. See
Emirates NBD.
Remember, each lender applies its own internal policy in addition to AECB data and DBR checks.
FAQ: Quick Answers for Dubai Residents
- Does checking my own AECB score hurt it?
- No. Checking your own report/score is a soft inquiry and does not reduce your score. See expert commentary in
The National. - Do telecom and utility bills affect my score?
- Yes. AECB collects data from telecom and utility providers; late or missed payments can be negative. Source:
u.ae (Official);
also see the Etisalat & du announcement. - What score range is used in the UAE?
- 300–900, per bank guidance and AECB materials. See
Emirates NBD
and AECB pages linked above. - How fast can I improve a weak score?
- Expect months, not days. Consistent on-time payments and lower utilization typically move the needle within 3–6 months; larger improvements take longer.
- What’s DBR and why does it matter for my score?
- DBR is a lender eligibility rule (not part of the score itself) limiting total monthly repayments to ~50% of gross income under Central Bank guidance.
If your DBR is high, you may be declined even with a decent score. See
CBUAE Rulebook.
Authoritative Sources & Further Reading
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always verify current fees and product terms with AECB and your bank.
