How long does paying only the minimum take?
Most UAE banks set the minimum at 5% of the balance or AED 100, whichever is higher. Paying only that keeps interest running on the rest.
What does your statement have to tell you?
Central Bank rules require every credit card statement to show how long the current balance would take to clear on minimum payments alone, the total interest, and this warning: “If you make only the minimum repayment/payment each period, you will pay more in interest/profit/fees and it will take you longer to pay off your outstanding balance.”
Emirates NBD’s key facts statement gives its own example: AED 2,000 at 44.28% a year, paying 5% or AED 100, takes 36 months and about AED 1,500 in interest. Worked month by month at 3.69%, this calculator gives 37 months and AED 1,679.63. The bank counts interest by the day, so the two differ.
Missing the minimum adds a late fee of up to AED 241.50 including VAT at the banks below. Read how the minimum payment works.
| Bank | Minimum payment | Document |
|---|---|---|
| ADCB | 5% or AED 100, whichever is higher | Schedule of Fees. Effective 1 September 2026. |
| ADIB | 5% of the used cover amount plus any instalment due, at least AED 100 | Covered Cards, Key Facts Statement. Undated document. |
| Emirates Islamic | 5% of the closing balance or AED 100, whichever is higher | Key Facts Statement, Credit Cards. Undated document. |
| Emirates NBD | 5% of the total payment due or AED 100, whichever is higher, plus instalments, insurance, overdue and over-limit amounts | Key Facts Statement, Credit Cards. Marked effective 1 March 2026, pages dated 08/2026. |
| First Abu Dhabi Bank | 5% of the total outstanding balance plus any over-limit amount, or AED 100, whichever is higher | Conventional Cards Key Facts Statement. Document titled September 2026. |
| Mashreq | 5% of the statement balance, as in the worked example | Mashreq Cards Key Facts Statement. Version reference VA080526. |
| RAKBANK | 4% or AED 100, whichever is higher | Consumer Credit Card Service and Price Guide. With effect from 13 May 2025. |
| Standard Chartered | 1% of the principal plus all fees and interest, or AED 110, whichever is higher | Key Facts Statement for Your Standard Chartered Credit Card. Undated document. |
Sources
- Consumer Protection StandardsCentral Bank of the UAE. Notice 1158/2021, in force. Read 12 November 2026.
- 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.
- 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.
- Covered Cards, Key Facts StatementAbu Dhabi Islamic Bank. Undated document. Read 12 November 2026.