What is a debit card?
A debit card, also referred to as a plastic card or an ATM card, is a type of card which allows you to make purchases and payments directly from your bank account with no additional cost involved. It also enables you to withdraw cash from your account through an ATM.
It substitutes cash and it typically includes the bank’s name, a card number, the cardholder’s name, and an expiration date, either on the front or the back.
What is the difference between debit cards and credit cards in the UAE?
Although credit and debit cards have similar physical features, such as a sixteen-digit card number, expiration date, magnetic stripe, and EMV chip, they do have differences.
The variations between debit and credit cards in the UAE are illustrated in the table below:
What types of debit cards are there in the UAE?
Visa Debit Cards (The most widely accepted)
MasterCard Debit Cards (Standard, World, and World Elite)
Contactless Debit Cards (With these cards, all you need to do is simply wave the card in front of the terminal or over the payment machine, enabling your transaction to be automatically processed)
Visa Electron Debit Cards (They do not offer the facility of overdraft)
What are the requirements for getting a debit card in the UAE?
While each bank has its own requirements when issuing a debit card, here are some common ones:
Be at least 18
Be a resident of the UAE
Identification documents (passport or ID)
Have an active bank account
Fill out an application form
How to get a debit card in the UAE?
Online mode: Visit the official website of your bank and submit your application. You can also use a mobile banking application or a net banking portal. After your application is reviewed and approved, you will receive the card along with a welcome letter, a confirmation email or an SMS.
Offline mode: You can visit a bank or a financial institution to apply for the debit card of your choice.
Debit cards bank offers in the UAE
We present to you debit card offers from the top ten most influential banks in the UAE. The list displays the debit card type, along with their benefits and fees & limits:
Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB)
Type of debit card | Benefits | Fees & Limits |
Excellency Platinum Debit Card | for primary & supplementary cards free supplementary debit cards | |
Privilege Club Platinum Debit Card | for primary & supplementary cards free supplementary debit cards | |
ADCB Aspire Debit Card | for primary & supplementary cards free supplementary debit cards | |
Etihad Guest Above Excellency Debit Card | for primary & supplementary cards free supplementary debit cards | |
Etihad Guest Above Privilege Club Debit Card | for primary & supplementary cards free supplementary debit cards | |
Etihad Guest Above Aspire Debit Card | for primary & supplementary cards free supplementary debit cards | |
Dubai Islamic Bank
Type of debit card | Benefits | Fees & Limits |
Infinite Debit Card | | Daily purchase limit - AED 100,000 Daily cash withdrawal limit - AED 75,00
|
Signature Debit Card | | Daily purchase limit - AED 75,000 Daily cash withdrawal limit - AED 35,000
|
Platinum Debit Card | | Daily purchase limit - AED 50,000 Daily cash withdrawal limit - AED 35,000
|
Al Islami Classic Debit Card | | Daily purchase limit - AED 40,000 Daily cash withdrawal limit - AED 10,000
|
Johara Debit Card | | Daily purchase limit - AED 40,000 Daily cash withdrawal limit - AED 10,000
|
Emirates Islamic
Type of debit card | Benefits | Fees & Limits |
Emarati Priority Banking Debit Card | Accepted worldwide Unlimited access to over 1,000 VIP lounges with LoungeKey Two rounds of complimentary golf per month Global Concierge Service Multi-trip travel insurance Enhanced security Purchase protection Extended Warranty DoubleSecure
| Card Issuance: free Replacement of Lost or Stolen Card: 26.25 Cash withdrawal (ATM) limit: AED 50,000 daily. Point Of Sale (POS) limit: AED 150,000 daily.
|
Emarati Personal Banking Debit Card | Purchase protection Extended Warranty Mazaya Offers Accepted worldwide Make payments with Visa payWave Dining, travel and other lifestyle benefits 24 hour emergency assistance Free access to a wide range of medical and legal advice DoubleSecure
| Card Issuance: free Replacement of Lost or Stolen Card: 26.25 Cash withdrawal (ATM) limit: AED 15,000 daily. Point Of Sale (POS) limit: AED 75,000 daily.
|
Emarati Advantage Banking Debit Card | Purchase protection Extended Warranty Mazaya Offers Accepted worldwide Make payments with Visa payWave Dining, travel and other lifestyle benefits 24 hour emergency assistance Chip and PIN Security DoubleSecure
| Card Issuance: free Replacement of Lost or Stolen Card: 26.25 Cash withdrawal (ATM) limit: AED 25,000 daily. Point Of Sale (POS) limit: AED 100,000 daily.
|
Priority Banking Debit Card | Unlimited access to over 1,000 VIP lounges with LoungeKey Two rounds of complimentary golf per month Multi-trip travel insurance Global acceptance Make payments with Visa payWave Unlimited access to over 1,000 VIP lounges with LoungeKey Global Concierge Service Multi-trip travel insurance Chip and PIN Security Purchase protection Extended Warranty DoubleSecure
| Card Issuance: free Replacement of Lost or Stolen Card: 26.25 Cash withdrawal (ATM) limit: AED 50,000 daily. Point Of Sale (POS) limit: AED 150,000 daily.
|
Advantage Debit Card | Global acceptance Purchase protection Extended Warranty Mazaya Offers Make payments with Visa payWave Dining, travel and other lifestyle benefits 24 hour emergency assistance Chip and PIN Security DoubleSecure
| Card Issuance: free Replacement of Lost or Stolen Card: 26.25 Cash withdrawal (ATM) limit: AED 25,000 daily. Point Of Sale (POS) limit: AED 100,000 daily.
|
Select Debit Card | Global acceptance Purchase protection Extended Warranty Mazaya Offers Make payments with Visa payWave Dining, travel and other lifestyle benefits 24 hour emergency assistance Free access to a wide range of medical and legal advice Chip and PIN Security DoubleSecure
| Card Issuance: free Replacement of Lost or Stolen Card: 26.25 Cash withdrawal (ATM) limit: AED 15,000 daily. Point Of Sale (POS) limit: AED 75,000 daily.
|
Private Banking Debit Card | Unlimited access to over 1,000 VIP lounges with LoungeKey Two rounds of complimentary golf per month Multi-trip travel insurance Global acceptance Make payments with Visa payWave Global Concierge Service Multi-trip travel insurance Chip and PIN Purchase Protection Extended Warranty DoubleSecure
| Card Issuance: free Replacement of Lost or Stolen Card: 26.25 Cash withdrawal (ATM) limit: AED 50,000 daily. Point Of Sale (POS) limit: AED 200,000 daily.
|
Emirates NBD
Type of debit card | Benefits | Fees & Limits |
Visa Platinum Debit Card | | Emirates NBD ATMs - free of charge |
Emirati Visa Signature Debit Card | | Emirates NBD ATMs - free of charge |
Go4it Visa Gold Debit Card | | Emirates NBD ATMs - free of charge |
Manchester United Platinum Debit Card | | Emirates NBD ATMs - free of charge |
Manchester United Signature Debit Card | | Emirates NBD ATMs - free of charge |
Visa Classic Debit Card | Contactless payment options Added security for retail transactions Restaurants, spas and leisure avenues discounts
| Emirates NBD ATMs - free of charge |
Visa Infinite Debit Card | Save up to AED 14,500 annually Restaurants, spas and leisure avenues discounts Complimentary access worldwide via LoungeKey Added security for retail transactions
| Emirates NBD ATMs - free of charge |
Visa Platinum Debit Card | | Emirates NBD ATMs - free of charge |
Visa Signature Business Debit Card | Airport lounge access Golf privileges Global concierge service
| Emirates NBD ATMs - free of charge |
Visa Signature Debit Card | Airport lounge access Golf privileges Global concierge service 2-for-1 deals
| Emirates NBD ATMs - free of charge |
Visa Platinum Business Debit Card | Accepted worldwide Travel Medical Insurance Enhanced security
| Emirates NBD ATMs - free of charge |
First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB)
Type of debit card | Benefits | Fees & Limits |
FAB World Debit Card | | Network fees and transaction charges when you withdraw cash from ATMs outside of First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) within the UAE or abroad |
FAB World Elite™ Mastercard | | Network fees and transaction charges when you withdraw cash from ATMs outside of First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) within the UAE or abroad |
HSBC
Type of debit card | Benefits | Fees & Limits |
HSBC Premier Debit Card | No annual membership fees Make purchases of up to EGP 180,000 daily Withdraw cash up to EGP 20,000 daily
| If you wish to unlock HSBC Premier: Maintain a total relationship balance (TRB) with the bank of EGP 750,000 more or transfer an individual gross monthly salary of at least EGP 40,000 transfer an individual gross monthly salary of EGP 30,000 and a minimum EGP 384,000 total net annual income
|
HSBC Advance Debit Card | No annual membership fees Make purchases of up to EGP 120,000 daily Withdraw cash up to EGP 20,000 daily
| To be eligible for Advance membership, you need to fulfill at least one of the following criteria:
1. Transfer a gross monthly salary of at least EGP 10,0005. 2. Transfer a gross monthly salary of at least EGP 8,000 and have a total net annual income of at least EGP 96,0006. 3. Maintain an average monthly balance of EGP 250,0007 in deposits and/or investments. |
HSBC Personal Banking Debit Card | | |
Mashreq
Type of debit card | Benefits | Fees & Limits |
Platinum Debit Card | No joining fees AED 20,000: daily withdrawal limit AED 99,999: daily purchase limit
| free of charge at Mashreq ATMS in UAE |
National Bank of Fujairah
Type of debit card | Benefits | Fees & Limits |
Classic Debit Card | | |
Platinum Debit Card | Free ATM withdrawals Worldwide acceptance Platinum rewards and privilege Global customer assistance Free travel assistance Purchase protection warranty Keep track of your spending Free supplementary cards. Link multiple accounts 24/7 mobile banking Chip & PIN and Visa payWave
| |
RAKBANK - National Bank of Ras Al-Khaimah
Type of debit card | Benefits | Fees & Limits |
RAKBANK Elite Platinum Mastercard® Debit Card | | AED 50,000 |
RAKBANK Select Mastercard® Debit Card | Chip & PIN feature Global validity SMS notification after every Debit Card transaction Cash withdrawal facility Unlimited access to over 10 VIP lounges in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Cairo, Kuwait, and Jordan airports Up to 10% Cashback on Booking.com with your RAKBANK Mastercard Debit Card. 10% OFF the price of your booking on rentalcars.com
| Withdrawal limit: AED 20,000 Cash Deposit limit: 25,000 Card replacement fee: AED 25
|
RAKBANK Standard Debit Card | Chip & PIN feature Tap & Pay with Mastercard® contactless Global validity SMS notification after every Debit Card transaction Cash withdrawal facility Savings on travel packages with MMI Travels
| Withdrawal limit: AED 20,000 Cash Deposit limit: 25,000 Card replacement fee: AED 25
|
Business Debit Card | Tap & Pay with Mastercard contactless Cash withdrawal facility Discounted rate on SME insurance on Healthcare, Motor Fleet and personal accident insurance DHL shipping discount of up to 20% on daily business shipments Mastercard Buy 1 & Get 1 offers throughout Middle East and Africa Mastercard Priceless cities offer Global validity SMS notification after every Debit Card transaction Purchase Protection and Travel Accident Insurance
| withdrawal limit up to AED 75,000 daily transaction limit of AED 75,000
|
RAKelite Business Debit Card | Global validity Tap & Pay with Mastercard contactless Chip & PIN feature Cash withdrawal facility SMS notification after every Debit Card transaction Purchase Protection and Travel Accident Insurance
| |
Standard Chartered Bank
Type of debit card | Benefits | Fees & Limits |
Current Account – Debit Card | make international purchases ATM cash withdrawals online banking or cashless payments at merchant outlets No monthly service charge
| Minimum initial deposit: AED 10,000 Minimum monthly average balance: AED 3,000 Fall-below fee: AED 26.25
|
Saadiq Current Account – Debit Card | cashless transactions internationally accepted suitable for online purchases no limits on deposits or withdrawals No monthly service charge
| Minimum initial deposit: AED 10,000 Minimum average monthly balance: AED 3,000 Fall-below fee: AED 26.25
|
Saadiq XtraSaver Account – Debit Card | Globally recognised Suitable for online purchases or cashless transactions No minimum average monthly balance No monthly service charge No fall-below fee
| |
Savings Account – Debit Card | instant access to the funds in your bank account perform transactions in multiple currencies cashless payments at retail stores or for online purchases internationally recognized no monthly service charge
| Minimum initial deposit: AED 10,000 Minimum average monthly balance: AED 3,000 Fall-below fee: AED 26.25
|
Saadiq Savings Account – Debit Card |
| Minimum initial deposit: AED 10,000 Minimum average balance: AED 3,000 Fall-below fee: AED 26.25
|
To sum up
This guide presents valuable information about debit cards in the UAE, featuring debit card offers from the UAE's top ten most influential banks. If you are seeking favorable cash or home loans, you can calculate your installment on our website using our detailed calculator.
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