Debit cards in the UAE | Debit card offers

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:

Debit cards

Credit cards

  • Provides access to the funds in your personal bank account

  • Grants access to funds borrowed from your bank 

  • Enables you to use the money available in your bank account

  • Money is issued by the bank with a predefined limit for making purchases or withdrawals 

  • Immediate payment (Once the card is used, funds are deducted within 24 hours) 

  • Later payment (Payment for goods and services is due on your monthly bill) 

  • Limits your spending to the amount available in your bank account (unless an overdraft facility is available) 

  • Allows spending up to the credit limit set by the bank 

  • No interest is applied to your purchases 

  • Interest is charged on any outstanding balance if it is not paid in full by the due date

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

  • No issuance fees

for primary &                          supplementary cards

  • Up to 5

free supplementary debit cards

  • No debit card replacement fee

  • AED 21: for cash withdrawals made at ATMs located outside the UAE and GCC region.

Privilege Club Platinum Debit Card

  • No issuance fees

for primary &                          supplementary cards

  • Up to 5

free supplementary debit cards

  • Replacement fee: AED 26.25 card    

  • An AED 21 cash withdrawal fee is charged for ATM transactions outside of the UAE and GCC.

ADCB Aspire Debit Card

  • No issuance fees

for primary &                          supplementary cards

  • Up to 5

free supplementary debit cards

  • An AED 26.25 card replacement fee  

  • An AED 21 cash withdrawal fee is charged for ATM transactions outside of the UAE and GCC.

Etihad Guest Above Excellency Debit Card

  • No issuance fees

for primary &                          supplementary cards

  • Up to 5

free supplementary debit cards

  • An AED 26.25 card replacement fee  

  • An AED 21 cash withdrawal fee is charged for ATM transactions outside of the UAE and GCC.

Etihad Guest Above Privilege Club Debit Card

  • No issuance fees

for primary &                          supplementary cards

  • Up to 5

free supplementary debit cards

  • An AED 26.25 card replacement fee  

  • An AED 21 cash withdrawal fee is charged for ATM transactions outside of the UAE and GCC.

Etihad Guest Above Aspire Debit Card

  • No issuance fees

for primary &                          supplementary cards

  • Up to 5

free supplementary debit cards

  • An AED 26.25 card replacement fee  

  • An AED 21 cash withdrawal fee is charged for ATM transactions outside of the UAE and GCC.

Dubai Islamic Bank

Type of debit card

Benefits

Fees & Limits

Infinite Debit Card

  • Global customer service

  • Purchase protection on payments 

  • VISA Privileges

  • Daily purchase limit - AED 100,000

  • Daily cash withdrawal limit - AED 75,00

Signature Debit Card

  • Global customer service

  • Purchase protection on payments 

  • VISA Privileges

  • Daily purchase limit - AED 75,000

  • Daily cash withdrawal limit - AED 35,000

Platinum Debit Card

  • Global customer service

  • Purchase protection on your payments

  • VISA Privileges

  • Daily purchase limit - AED 50,000

  • Daily cash withdrawal limit - AED 35,000

Al Islami Classic Debit Card

  • Free with your DIB account

  • Added security feature 

  • Daily purchase limit - AED 40,000

  • Daily cash withdrawal limit - AED 10,000

Johara Debit Card

  • Free with your DIB account

  • Added security feature 

  • Spend safe with transaction protect 

  • 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

  • Annual savings of up to AED 4,500

  • Defined daily limits for cash withdrawals and purchases

  • Accepted worldwide

Emirates NBD ATMs - free of charge

Emirati Visa Signature Debit Card

  • Experience access to more than 1,000 airport lounges across the globe

  • 2 for 1 deals

Emirates NBD ATMs - free of charge

Go4it Visa Gold Debit Card

  • Save up to AED 2,500 annually

  • Dubai Ferry fun

  • Commute with your Debit Card

Emirates NBD ATMs - free of charge

Manchester United Platinum Debit Card

  • Fan moments

  • Discounts at restaurants and experiences

Emirates NBD ATMs - free of charge

Manchester United Signature Debit Card

  • Fan moments

  • Discounts at restaurants and experiences

  • Unlimited access to over 1,000 premium lounges

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

  • Defined daily limits for cash withdrawals and purchases 

  • Up to AED 3,950 savings annually 

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

  • contactless payment technology

  • shopper’s security

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

  • contactless payment technology

  • shopper’s security

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:

  1. Maintain a total relationship balance (TRB) with the bank of EGP 750,000 

  2. more or transfer an individual gross monthly salary of at least EGP 40,000 

  3. 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

  • Make purchases of up to EGP 80,000 daily

  • Withdraw cash up to EGP 20,000 daily

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

 

  • Debit Card Replacement Fee: AED 26.25

  • Cash Withdrawal: 

free of charge at   Mashreq ATMS in UAE

National Bank of Fujairah

Type of debit card

Benefits

Fees & Limits

Classic Debit Card

  • Chip & PIN and Visa payWave enabled  

  • Enhanced security 

  • ‘Tap to pay’ feature 

  • Easy access to cash

  • Worldwide acceptance

  • Free ATM withdrawals
    SMS alerts

  • Free supplementary cards

  • Link multiple accounts

  • Monitor your spending

  • 24/7 mobile banking

  • Transaction limit for purchases and ATM withdrawals is AED 5,000

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

  • Transaction limit: for purchases and ATM withdrawals is AED 15,000

RAKBANK - National Bank of Ras Al-Khaimah

Type of debit card

Benefits

Fees & Limits

RAKBANK Elite Platinum Mastercard® Debit Card 

  • Chip & PIN feature 

  • Global validity 

  • SMS notification after every debit card transaction

  • Cash withdrawal facility 

  • Withdrawal limit: 

AED 50,000  

  • Daily Deposit limit: 200,000

  • Card replacement fee: AED 25 

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

  • daily cash withdrawal limit up to AED 100,000

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 

  • Minimum initial deposit: AED 3,000

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

  • cashless transactions 

  • globally accepted 

  • no monthly service charge 


  • 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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Photo credits:

  1. Photo | Pexels