How to Send Money to the UAE Safely and Affordably (2025 Guide)

If you’re planning a move to the UAE, one of the first practical things you’ll need to figure out is how to send money safely and affordably, whether it’s for your rent deposit, school fees, or setting up your new life.

The good news? You have plenty of options. The key is knowing which ones are fast, reliable, and don’t eat up your savings in hidden fees.

💡 We personally recommend Wise for quick, transparent international transfers. It’s what we and many of our clients use to send money from the UK to the UAE safely and at a fair rate.

Let’s break it down.

Why This Matters Before You Move

When relocating, you’ll often need to make payments before you even arrive such as:

• Rent deposits or holding fees

• School registration or assessments

• Visa and medical costs

• Initial setup expenses for utilities or furniture

Transferring money internationally can be straightforward, but only if you use the right method and double-check the details. Sending money the wrong way (or to the wrong type of account) can result in unnecessary delays or extra charges.

The Main Ways to Send Money to the UAE

1. Online Transfer Platforms (Wise, Revolut etc.)

These are often the most popular options for individuals and families because they’re fast, transparent, and much cheaper than traditional banks.

Wise (formerly TransferWise)

Wise is known for offering some of the lowest transfer fees and true mid-market exchange rates.

The mid-market rate is the real exchange rate you see on Google, the midpoint between a currency’s buy and sell prices. It’s the fairest rate available, without hidden mark-ups

Example (as of 9 November 2025):

• Sending £1,000 GBP → AED via bank transfer using Wise to a local UAE account

• Fee: £5.86 (0.59%)

• Exchange rate: 1 GBP = 4.8350 AED

• Recipient receives: AED 4,806.62

• Transfer time: usually 0 to 2 working days (often within hours)

• Bank transfer fee: £0

💡 Wise is ideal for one-off payments such as rental deposits, school fees, or setting up your new home, especially if you’re transferring directly from your UK account.

Want to learn more first? Read our full guide: Wise Review 2025: How to send money to the UAE

Revolut

Revolut also allows you to send money to the UAE, and its fees depend on the plan you’re on.

Example (as of 9 November 2025):

• Sending £1,000 GBP → AED (Standard free plan) to a local UAE account

• Fee: £12.10 (≈1.21%)

• Exchange rate: 1 GBP = 4.81161 AED

• Recipient receives: AED 4,753.38

• Estimated arrival: 3 to 5 working days (especially if sent via SWIFT)

💡 Revolut offers paid plans that include lower transfer fees and better rates, but they come with a monthly cost. These can be worth it if you send money regularly otherwise, the Standard plan or Wise might be more cost-effective.

About the Weekend Exchange Rate

If you’re transferring on a Saturday or Sunday, Revolut adds a weekend markup (typically around 1% for Standard users).
That’s because currency markets are closed, and they fix rates in advance.
Wise doesn’t usually charge weekend markups but may delay transfers until the next business day.
💡 Whenever possible, send money between Monday and Friday for the best rates.

Bank Transfers (UK Bank → UAE Bank)

This traditional method is still common but usually the most expensive.

Typical fees:

• Transfer fee: £15–£30 per transaction

• Exchange rate markup: 2–3% below the real rate

• Some UAE banks charge a receiving fee (around AED 25–50)

Example:
Sending £1,000 GBP via your UK bank might cost £25–£50 total, and your recipient could receive AED 100–150 less than if you used Wise.

Money Exchange and Remittance Services

If you’ve visited the UAE before, you’ll have seen money exchange centres like Al Ansari Exchange, Lulu Exchange, Al Ghurair Exchange and others. These are licensed remittance centres that allow you to send and receive money both within the UAE and internationally.

They are extremely popular among expats because they’re fast, convenient, and often cheaper than using a traditional UK bank.

You can use a money exchange or remittance centre to:

• Send money abroad (for example, back to the UK or to family overseas)

• Receive international transfers sent to you

• Pay rent or bills locally (some centres partner with real estate or utility companies)

• Exchange currencies between AED, GBP, USD, and others

Typical Fees

• AED 15–30 per transaction for local UAE transfers

• International remittance fees vary by destination and amount (usually cheaper than transferring via a UK high-street bank)

Important Note About Exchange Rates

Money exchanges almost always offer a worse rate than the mid-market rate (the real rate you see on Google) and usually worse than Wise’s rate.
This means:

• Even if the fee seems small,

• You may lose more money through the lower exchange rate.

This is especially noticeable when exchanging GBP to AED in cash or when sending larger amounts internationally.

Advantages of Exchange Centres

• Instant or same-day transfers within the UAE

• You can pay using cash or card

• You can speak to a staff member and verify everything in person

• Many offer mobile apps for quick digital transfers

When They’re Useful

Money exchange centres can be very practical for:

• Quick local payments (e.g., rent deposits in the UAE)

• Paying a landlord or developer who prefers payment through an exchange

• Smaller transfers where speed matters more than the absolute best rate

💡 Tip

Always:

• Double-check beneficiary names and account numbers

• Keep the printed receipt

• Compare the exchange rate before confirming especially if sending more than a few hundred pounds

For larger transfers, services like Wise usually offer better exchange rates and lower overall cost, even when fees at the exchange centre seem low.

UAE Local Bank Accounts

Once you move to the UAE, one of the first things you should do is open a local bank account.

This is essential if you plan to live, work, or run a business here.
You’ll need it to:

• Get paid in AED if you’re employed or self-employed in the UAE

• Pay rent, utilities, and school fees locally without conversion costs

• Avoid international transfer fees on daily expenses

• Build a UAE banking record (important for mobile contracts, car finance, and future credit)

Popular local banks include:

• Emirates NBD

• ADCB (Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank)

• Mashreq Bank

• Dubai Islamic Bank

• Wio Bank (digital)

• Mashreq Neo (digital)

Important note:
If you still need to transfer money from abroad into your UAE account, your home bank or transfer provider may charge international fees. So it’s not fee-free for incoming transfers but once you’re earning locally, you’ll avoid those charges altogether.

💡 Tip: As soon as you arrive, open your UAE account so that your salary or freelance income can be paid directly in AED. This will save you from repeated currency conversions and international transfer costs later.

Hidden Fees to Watch Out For

Even when a service looks cheap, exchange rate markup can quietly cost you the most.

Look out for:

• Mid-market rate differences greater than 1–2%

• Receiving fees from UAE banks

• Intermediary bank deductions of £5–£15 mid-transfer

💡 Always check the final “recipient gets” amount not just the advertised fee.

💡 Thrive Tip: Don’t Just Go for the Cheapest Option

Just like with visas, the cheapest route isn’t always the safest.
If a service provider doesn’t fully understand the system or what’s required, you might face unnecessary delays, account holds, or rejected transactions.

Stick to reputable, regulated providers with clear pricing and strong user reviews.
That’s why we only recommend services we’ve personally used or vetted they’re reliable, transparent, and built for expats.

Final Thoughts

Moving abroad means thinking about a lot of details but sending money shouldn’t be stressful. With the right tools and trusted guidance, you can avoid unnecessary fees and start your new life with peace of mind.

At Thrive in UAE, we’ve personally gone through the process of setting up payments, bank accounts, and transfers between the UK and UAE.
If you’d like friendly, practical advice on what’s worked best for us and our clients, you can reach out anytime:

Email: info@thriveinuae.com
Instagram: @thriveinuae

No pressure just honest, personal support from people who’ve been through it themselves.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain referral or affiliate links. We only recommend services we’ve personally used and trust using our links never costs you extra and helps support our work at Thrive in UAE.