LandedCity
GuidesDeals
ContributeSign in
LandedCity

Community-verified guidance for your first weeks in a new city.

Explore

  • All guides
  • Deals
  • Contribute
  • Tax Calculator
  • Legal Assistant
  • Points & Rewards
  • About us
  • Contact

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Bangkok
  • Berlin
  • Brussels
  • Dubai
  • and more…

Account

  • Sign in
  • Profile
  • Referrals

Legal

  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Cookies
  • Disclosures

Community content is moderated. Always verify legal and financial decisions with official sources.

© 2026 LandedCity. All rights reserved.

HomeTopicsMoney and Payments

Dubai

Money and Payments

Banking, transfer, and payment setup basics for newcomers.

Share your tip

AI summary · assistance only

You'll find that navigating money and payments in Dubai can be complex, especially for newcomers. Most newcomers are surprised to learn that some vendors, such as those in the Gold Souk and Spice Souk, still prefer cash over cards. Watch out for the 5% VAT applied to most goods and services, including restaurant bills and retail purchases. When sending money home, consider using Wise, which consistently offers better exchange rates than UAE banks. To get started with managing your finances in Dubai, open a bank account with a reputable bank like Emirates NBD, which has the largest network of ATMs and a user-friendly app. Today, take the first step by researching and comparing the services of different banks, such as Emirates NBD, ADCB, and FAB, to find the one that best suits your needs.

Top verified tips

Ranked by contributor trust level and quality score.

Investing from UAE — where expats actually invest

Trust L1Updated Nov 26, 2025

Dubai · Experience date Dec 15, 2025

Popular investment options for UAE expats: Interactive Brokers (best for stocks/ETFs, accepts UAE residents, no annual fee), Saxo Bank Dubai (regulated locally), eToro (easy to use, higher fees). For property investment in UAE: REITs on Dubai Financial Market, or direct property through RERA-registered agents. UK/EU/US index funds available — check your home country tax rules before investing through offshore accounts.

Contributor: Priya Sharma

Emirates NBD vs ADCB vs FAB — which bank for newcomers

Trust L1Updated Jan 25, 2026

Dubai · Experience date Dec 11, 2025

Emirates NBD: largest, best app, most ATMs, but stricter requirements and slower service. ADCB: good for mid-salary professionals, SimplyLife card easy to get, decent app. FAB (First Abu Dhabi Bank): best for high earners, excellent customer service, premium card benefits. Mashreq: most digital-friendly, fastest account opening (can be done mostly online), lower salary requirements. For new expats: Mashreq or ADCB are easiest entry points.

Contributor: Tom Fletcher

Cash culture in Dubai — where cards don't work

Trust L1Updated Feb 10, 2026

Dubai · Experience date Apr 17, 2026

Most restaurants, malls, supermarkets, and taxis accept card now. But: souk vendors (Gold Souk, Spice Souk), small shawarma/juice shops in Deira, local vegetable markets, Friday Market in Fujairah — cash only or preferred. Always carry AED 100-200 in small notes. ATMs are everywhere and usually fee-free for major banks. International cards: 3-5% withdrawal fee — get a local account fast.

Contributor: David Okonkwo

Latest from the community

Gold investment in Dubai — Dubai Gold Souk basics

Dec 1, 2025

Dubai · Experience date Dec 3, 2025

Dubai Gold Souk in Deira is the world's largest gold market. Price is set by international gold spot price (same worldwide) + making charges (2-10% depending on piece). Buying gold in Dubai: no VAT on investment gold bars/coins. Jewelry has 5% VAT. You can negotiate making charges. For investment: buy 24K gold bars or coins from reputable dealers (Malabar Gold, Joy Alukkas). Selling back: same shops buy at spot price minus 1-2%.

Contributor: Anna Kowalski

Emergency fund in UAE — why you need one quickly

Nov 28, 2025

Dubai · Experience date Feb 10, 2026

UAE job market can change fast — company restructuring, visa cancellations. If you lose your job, visa is cancelled within 30 days, and you must leave the country or switch to new sponsorship within 30-60 days. Emergency fund recommendation: 3-6 months of all expenses in an easily accessible account. Don't lock all savings in fixed deposits. Repatriation flight alone can cost AED 1,500-5,000.

Contributor: Emma Larsson

End of Service calculation — know what you're owed

Nov 13, 2025

Dubai · Experience date Mar 19, 2026

End of Service Gratuity (EOS) is your legal right after 1 year employment. Formula: 21 days basic salary per year for years 1-5, 30 days for year 6+. Based on BASIC salary only (not allowances). Capped at 2 years total. If you resign before 5 years: EOS is reduced (1-3 years: 1/3 of EOS, 3-5 years: 2/3 of EOS). If fired: full EOS regardless. Calculate yours at mohre.gov.ae calculator.

Contributor: Emma Larsson
123

Safety note

Community tips are moderated, but always verify legal and financial decisions with official sources before acting.

Contribute to this topic

Earn points and build your trust level by sharing what worked for you.

Start contributing

Related topics

  • First 7 Days Checklist
  • SIM and Mobile Data
  • Housing and Rent
  • Daily Essentials
  • Transport and Mobility
  • Work and Legal Basics

Share this topic

Share: