What do you pay when you use your card abroad or in another currency?
UAE banks charge 1.99% to 3.70% on card payments in another currency, and several add Visa or Mastercard's fee of about 1.15% on top. Choosing to pay in dirhams abroad does not avoid it: most banks charge a fee on those payments too.
Every UAE bank below charges a percentage on card payments made in a foreign currency. Most also charge when you pay in dirhams to a merchant abroad.
What does your bank charge on foreign currency payments?
| Bank | Payment in a foreign currency | Payment in AED to a merchant abroad | Network fee added on top |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADCB | 2.99% (0% on the Traveller card) | 2.99% (0% on the Traveller card) | Approximately 1.15% |
| Commercial Bank of Dubai | 3.5% | 3.5% | Scheme fee charged separately |
| Dubai Islamic Bank | 3.70% | 3.14% | Not stated |
| Emirates Islamic | 2.34% (1.84% on Emarati and Skywards Black) in the key facts statement; 2.54% (2.34% on Amazon, 2.30% on Emarati and Skywards Black) in the schedule of charges | 1.99% | Approximately 1.15% |
| Emirates NBD | 1.99% | 1.99% | Approximately 1.15% |
| First Abu Dhabi Bank | Up to 2.74% plus scheme charges | Up to 2.74% plus scheme charges | The fee table adds scheme charges; the definition says the margin includes the card network fee |
| HSBC | 2.1% | 1.05% | Up to 1.21%, on both |
| Mashreq | 2.89% plus Visa or Mastercard charges | 2.89% | As applicable |
| RAKBANK | 2.57% | 2.57% | Not stated |
| Standard Chartered | Up to 2.99% | Up to 2.99% | Visa processing fee of up to 1.15% |
Each figure is quoted from the bank’s document, including VAT where the bank includes it.1234567891011
Should you pay in dirhams or the local currency abroad?
Paying in dirhams does not avoid a fee at most banks. When a shop, hotel or website abroad offers to charge you in AED, the merchant sets the exchange rate. Mashreq calls this “Dynamic Currency Conversion” and charges 2.89% on it.9 Emirates NBD charges 1.99% on these payments and says the option is an arrangement offered by the merchant, not the bank, and reminds customers to ask the merchant for its exchange rate and handling fee.6 HSBC charges 1.05%, and says the merchant’s rate then applies instead of the bank’s or the card network’s.8
So you pay the merchant’s exchange rate plus the bank fee. Ask the merchant to charge you in the local currency if you want the card network’s rate.
Which exchange rate does your bank use?
The card network’s or the bank’s rate on the day the payment posts. Emirates NBD converts at the rate on the date the amount is posted to your card account, not the date you used the card.6 Your statement must show the exchange rate applied to each foreign currency transaction.12
Work out the fees on a trip or an online order with the foreign currency fee calculator.
The small print
- Emirates NBD’s network fee note: “This fee is charged in addition to standard processing fee (approx. 1.15%) charged by Mastercard or Visa International or Diners Club and mark-up fee charged by the acquirer, if any.”13
- Emirates Islamic’s key facts statement and its schedule of charges web page give different foreign currency fees, and neither is dated. Ask the bank which applies to your card.45
- Commercial Bank of Dubai says its fee applies to transactions in AED or in foreign currencies at merchants domiciled outside the UAE, excludes the scheme’s processing fee, and carries 5% VAT.2
- Exchange rate disclosure on statements is Consumer Protection Standards clause 2.1.3.19 (j).12
Sources
13
1Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Schedule of Fees. Effective 1 Sept 2026. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Schedule of Fees
2Commercial Bank of Dubai, Credit Card Schedule of Charges. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Credit Card Schedule of Charges
3Dubai Islamic Bank, Schedule of Charges, Effective 12 October 2026. Effective 12 Oct 2026. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Schedule of Charges
4Emirates Islamic, Key Facts Statement, Credit Cards. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Key Facts Statement, Credit Cards
5Emirates Islamic, Cards, Schedule of Charges. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Cards, Schedule of Charges
6Emirates NBD, Key Facts Statement, Credit Cards, Effective 1 March 2026. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Key Facts Statement, Credit Cards
7First Abu Dhabi Bank, Conventional Cards Key Facts Statement, September 2026. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Conventional Cards Key Facts Statement
8HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, UAE Schedule of Services and Tariffs. Effective 26 Oct 2026. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: UAE Schedule of Services and Tariffs
9Mashreq, Mashreq Cards Key Facts Statement, VA080526. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Mashreq Cards Key Facts Statement
10RAKBANK, Consumer Credit Card Service and Price Guide. Effective 13 May 2025. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Consumer Credit Card Service and Price Guide
11Standard Chartered, Key Facts Statement for Your Standard Chartered Credit Card. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Key Facts Statement for Your Standard Chartered Credit Card
12Central Bank of the UAE, Consumer Protection Standards, Notice 1158/2021, in force. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Consumer Protection Standards
13Emirates NBD, Credit Card Services and Price Guide, February 2026. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Credit Card Services and Price Guide
- Owner
- Comparecreditcards.ae research team
- Last review
- Next review due
- 11 May 2027
- Status
- Published