Dubai Guide: Money

Our money guide provides information on bank accounts, credit and debit cards and money transfers. If you need to open a bank account, we will explain how to do it - step by step.

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  Currency

  The UAE dirham and international transfers

  The UAE dirham (abbreviated to AED or Dhs) is linked to the US$ and is therefore susceptible to the ups and downs of that currency.

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  Banks

  Where to manage your finances

  There’s no shortage of banks in Dubai. There are international, regional and local banks, all well financed, well regulated and well run.

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  Opening an account

  How to open a bank account in Dubai

  The formalities involved in opening a bank account in Dubai are quite stringent and involve a considerable amount of paperwork.

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  Debit and Credit Cards

  How to use cards in Dubai

  All banks in Dubai offer customers cash and debit cards, which can be used at any branch of the same bank and, by arrangement, at other banks.

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  Cash & travellers' cheques

  How to use them

  Cash is widely used in Dubai, although credit and charge cards are also popular. As in many countries, the quickest way to draw cash is to use an automated teller machine (ATM), found at banks and shopping malls.

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  Foreign & Offshore Banking

  Where to keep your money abroad

  In many cases, foreign workers in Dubai find that they’re able, for the first time, to save part of their income for the future.

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  Cost of Living

  How much does living in Dubai cost?

  Housing prices and inflation running on average at 2.5% means that living in Dubai has become a lot more expensive over the last few years.

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