What does carrying a balance cost you?
Pay less than the full statement balance and UAE banks charge interest at a monthly rate, typically 3.25% to 3.99% on the cards below.
How is the cost worked out?
Each month the calculator adds one month’s interest to the balance, then takes off your payment. It assumes you add no new spending, which is what the banks’ own illustrations assume. Banks work interest out day by day, from the date of each transaction, so your statement will differ by a few dirhams.
Worked example: a balance of AED 10,000 at 3.69% a month, paying AED 500 a month, clears in 37 months with AED 8,482.38 of interest. The first month’s interest is AED 369.
Pay the full statement balance by the due date and no interest is charged on purchases. That is a Central Bank rule. Cash withdrawals are charged interest from the day you take the cash. Read how interest is charged on a UAE card.
| Bank | Interest or profit rate | Document |
|---|---|---|
| ADCB | 3.69% a month on purchases and cash | Schedule of Fees. Effective 1 September 2026. |
| ADIB | 3.75% fixed monthly profit rate on covered cards (45.63% a year as ADIB works it) | Covered Cards, Key Facts Statement. Undated document. |
| Commercial Bank of Dubai | 3.85% a month on purchases and cash (1.50% on the CBD Private Visa Infinite Metal card) | Credit Card Schedule of Charges. Undated document. Some rows marked effective 17 December 2025. |
| Dubai Islamic Bank | Up to 3.69% a month on covered cards (3.69% on SHAMS) | Schedule of Charges. Effective 12 October 2026. |
| Emirates Islamic | 44.28% a year on most cards (3.69% a month), 43.08% on the Emarati card, 39% on Skywards Black | Key Facts Statement, Credit Cards. Undated document. |
| Emirates NBD | 3.69% a month (44.28% a year) on most cards, 3.25% (39%) on Infinite, World Elite and some other premium cards and for UAE nationals | Key Facts Statement, Credit Cards. Marked effective 1 March 2026, pages dated 08/2026. |
| First Abu Dhabi Bank | 3.99% a month (47.88% a year) on purchases and cash | Conventional Cards Key Facts Statement. Document titled September 2026. |
| HSBC | 44.28% a year on purchases and cash withdrawals | UAE Schedule of Services and Tariffs. Effective 26 October 2026. |
| Mashreq | 46.20% a year on purchases and cash; the purchase rate can vary and is shown on your statement | Mashreq Cards Key Facts Statement. Version reference VA080526. |
| RAKBANK | 3.65% a month on purchases and cash | Consumer Credit Card Service and Price Guide. With effect from 13 May 2025. |
| Standard Chartered | 3.69% a month (44.28% a year) on purchases | Key Facts Statement for Your Standard Chartered Credit Card. Undated document. |
Sources
- Key Facts Statement, Credit CardsEmirates NBD. Marked effective 1 March 2026, pages dated 08/2026. Read 12 November 2026.
- Consumer Protection StandardsCentral Bank of the UAE. Notice 1158/2021, in force. Read 12 November 2026.
- Conventional Cards Key Facts StatementFirst Abu Dhabi Bank. Document titled September 2026. Read 12 November 2026.
- Schedule of FeesAbu Dhabi Commercial Bank. Effective 1 September 2026. Read 12 November 2026.
- Mashreq Cards Key Facts StatementMashreq. Version reference VA080526. Read 12 November 2026.
- Consumer Credit Card Service and Price GuideRAKBANK. With effect from 13 May 2025. Read 12 November 2026.
- Credit Card Schedule of ChargesCommercial Bank of Dubai. Undated document. Some rows marked effective 17 December 2025. Read 12 November 2026.
- UAE Schedule of Services and TariffsHSBC Bank Middle East Limited. Effective 26 October 2026. Read 12 November 2026.
- Key Facts Statement for Your Standard Chartered Credit CardStandard Chartered. Undated document. Read 12 November 2026.
- Key Facts Statement, Credit CardsEmirates Islamic. Undated document. Read 12 November 2026.
- Schedule of ChargesDubai Islamic Bank. Effective 12 October 2026. Read 12 November 2026.
- Covered Cards, Key Facts StatementAbu Dhabi Islamic Bank. Undated document. Read 12 November 2026.