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UAE Banks Raise Minimum Balance Requirement to Dh 5,000 for Current Accounts

Banking and Insurance

Business Honor
20 May, 2025

From June 1, customers who fail to maintain the new minimum balance could face monthly fees of up to Dh 150, unless exemptions apply.

Starting June 1, several banks in the UAE will raise the minimum balance requirement for current accounts from Dh 3,000 to Dh 5,000. This change follows the move by a leading UAE bank that has already implemented the higher threshold, with others expected to follow suit.

Customers who do not maintain the new minimum balance may be charged a monthly fee of Dh 25, unless they qualify for an exemption. Depending on the type of account, this fee could rise to Dh 100 or even Dh 150 per month.

To avoid the monthly charges, customers typically need to meet at least one of the following criteria:

Maintain a total account balance of Dh 20,000 or more
Transfer at least Dh 15,000 monthly to the account
Hold a credit card or an active loan with the bank (applicable if monthly salary is between Dh 5,000 and Dh 14,999)

These updated conditions replace the earlier arrangement, which had been in place since 2011. Previously, maintaining a minimum balance of Dh 3,000—especially in accounts linked to personal loans—was sufficient to waive the Dh 25 fee.

As this change rolls out, customers are advised to review their account agreements and contact their banks to ensure they meet the revised requirements or understand applicable exemptions.