What do card payments abroad cost you in fees?
UAE banks charge 1.99% to 3.7% on a card payment in another currency, and several add the card network’s own fee on top.
Does paying in dirhams abroad avoid the fee?
No, at most of the banks below. Paying a merchant abroad in AED is called dynamic currency conversion. The merchant sets the exchange rate, and banks still charge a fee: 1.99% at Emirates NBD and Emirates Islamic, 2.89% at Mashreq, 2.99% at ADCB, 1.05% at HSBC.
Worked example: AED 2,000 spent in euros with a 1.99% bank fee and a 1.15% network fee costs AED 39.80 plus AED 23, AED 62.80 in fees.
Read foreign currency fees and dynamic currency conversion.
| Bank | Foreign currency fee | Fee on AED payments abroad | Document |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADCB | 2.99% (0% on the Traveller card) | 2.99% (0% on the Traveller card) | Schedule of Fees. Effective 1 September 2026. |
| Commercial Bank of Dubai | 3.5% | 3.5% | Credit Card Schedule of Charges. Undated document. Some rows marked effective 17 December 2025. |
| Dubai Islamic Bank | 3.70% | 3.14% | Schedule of Charges. Effective 12 October 2026. |
| Emirates Islamic | 2.34% (1.84% on Emarati and Skywards Black) in the key facts statement; 2.54% in the schedule of charges | 1.99% | Key Facts Statement, Credit Cards. Undated document. |
| Emirates NBD | 1.99% | 1.99% | Key Facts Statement, Credit Cards. Marked effective 1 March 2026, pages dated 08/2026. |
| First Abu Dhabi Bank | up to 2.74% plus scheme charges | up to 2.74% plus scheme charges | Conventional Cards Key Facts Statement. Document titled September 2026. |
| HSBC | 2.1% | 1.05% | UAE Schedule of Services and Tariffs. Effective 26 October 2026. |
| Mashreq | 2.89% plus Visa or Mastercard charges | 2.89% | Mashreq Cards Key Facts Statement. Version reference VA080526. |
| RAKBANK | 2.57% | 2.57% | Consumer Credit Card Service and Price Guide. With effect from 13 May 2025. |
| Standard Chartered | up to 2.99% | up to 2.99% on any transaction made abroad | 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.
- 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.