Emirates NBD was formed in 2007 through the merger of Emirates Bank International and National Bank of Dubai. That single move created the UAE’s largest bank by assets overnight.
As of June 30, 2026, Emirates NBD’s total assets stand at AED 1.3 trillion, roughly USD 354 billion.
| Key Details | Emirates NBD Information |
|---|---|
|
Full Name |
Emirates NBD Bank P.J.S.C. |
|
Bank Type |
Commercial, Retail, SME, Corporate & Private Banking |
|
Founded / Formation |
2007, following the merger of National Bank of Dubai and Emirates Bank International |
|
Headquarters |
Baniyas Road, Deira, Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
|
Geographic Presence |
13 countries, with representative offices in Beijing and Jakarta |
|
Active Customers |
25+ million across 13 countries |
|
UAE Branch Network |
200+ branches |
|
ATM / CDM Network |
900+ ATMs and cash/deposit machines across the UAE |
|
Mobile Banking / Online Banking |
ENBD X |
|
Business Banking Platform |
businessONLINE |
|
Digital Bank |
Liv. |
|
SWIFT / BIC Code |
EBILAEAD / EBILAEADXXX |
|
Credit Ratings |
A+ (Fitch), A1 (Moody’s) |
GLOBAL FOOTPRINT:
Emirates NBD operates across 13 countries, with a strong presence in the MENA region and expanding into Asia. The Group serves more than 25 million active customers across its international network.
Account Types & Minimum Balance Requirements
The main differences between Emirates NBD accounts are minimum balance, salary requirements and fees.
STANDARD CURRENT ACCOUNT
Entry-level account: AED 3,000 minimum, AED 25/month fall-below fee.
The account requires an average monthly balance of AED 3,000. Falling below the required balance can trigger a monthly fall-below fee. It suits residents who need a basic account for salary credits, bill payments and everyday transfers.
SAVINGS ACCOUNT
AED 100,000 minimum balance, interest on deposits, positioned for substantial liquid assets.
The account requires a AED 100,000 minimum balance, making it more suitable for customers with larger cash balances who want to earn interest while keeping their money accessible.
SALARY TRANSFER PACKAGE
AED 5,000 minimum salary for standard tier; fee waivers and preferential loan rates.
If your employer routes salary through Emirates NBD, choose the Salary Transfer Package for fee waivers and preferential loan rates, but confirm your salary falls in the AED 5,000 band for the standard tier.
LIV. DIGITAL BANK ACCOUNT
No minimum balance, instant app opening, spending analytics.
Liv. is Emirates NBD’s digital banking option with no minimum balance and app-based account opening. It suits customers who want simple everyday banking and spending tools without maintaining a traditional account balance.
SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON OF THE FOUR ACCOUNT TYPES:
| Account Type | Minimum Balance | Minimum Salary | Fall-Below Fee | Key Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Standard Current Account |
AED 3,000 |
None |
AED 25/month |
Salary credits, bill payments, everyday transfers |
Residents wanting a straightforward account |
|
Savings Account |
AED 100,000 |
None |
Varies by tier |
Interest on deposits |
Customers with substantial liquid savings |
|
Salary Transfer Package |
No minimum balance for salaried account if your monthly salary is actively transferred to the bank |
AED 5,000 (standard tier) |
Waived with salary transfer |
Fee waivers, preferential loan rates |
Salaried employees who meet the package requirements |
|
Liv. Digital Bank Account |
None |
None |
None |
App-based opening, spending analytics, digital banking |
Customers who want simple, digital-first everyday banking |
Credit Cards Portfolio
Emirates NBD’s credit card lineup splits into four clear lines, each aimed at a different spender. Emirates NBD’s main travel and cashback cards differ mainly in rewards, salary requirements and annual fees.
SKYWARDS INFINITE CREDIT CARD
Premium travel card: 2 miles/USD, up to 100,000 bonus miles, Silver membership, AED 1,575 annual fee, AED 30,000 salary.
The Skywards Infinite is the flagship for serious Emirates flyers. You earn 2 Skywards Miles per USD spent, and the welcome offer can reach 100,000 miles. Complimentary Emirates Skywards Silver membership comes with the card, which gets you priority check-in and extra baggage on Emirates flights.
The card requires a minimum salary of AED 30,000 per month, a joining fee of AED 3,148.95 and an annual fee of AED 1,575 from the second year onward. That fee is not trivial, but if you fly Emirates regularly and spend enough, the miles can offset it quickly.
SKYWARDS SIGNATURE CREDIT CARD
Accessible alternative: 1.5 miles/USD, 40,000 bonus miles, unlimited lounge access, AED 735 annual fee.
The Skywards Signature is the more accessible Emirates card. You earn 1.5 miles per USD, and the welcome bonus is up to 40,000 miles. The standout perk is unlimited lounge access through Visa Airport Companion, which alone can justify the AED 735 renewal fee for frequent travelers.
Joining costs AED 1,574, but the ongoing fee is lower than the Infinite. Salary requirements sit between AED 12,000 and 15,000 per month, opening the door to a much wider group of earners.
VOYAGER MASTERCARD LINE
Travel-focused line with two tiers: Voyager World and Voyager World Elite.
The Voyager line is Emirates NBD’s newer travel play, built around Voyager Miles rather than Skywards. Voyager World is lifetime free, with a 75,000-mile welcome offer and up to 6 Voyager Miles per AED 1 spent on travel. Voyager World Elite steps up to a 150,000-mile welcome offer and 12 Voyager Miles per AED 1 on travel spend.
Voyager World requires a minimum salary of AED 12,000 and is free for life with no joining fee. Voyager World Elite requires a minimum salary of AED 25,000, has no joining fee, is free in the first year and costs AED 1,575 from the second year.
LIV. CASHBACK CARD:
Up to 4% cashback on all spends, instant approval, redeem as cashback or Skywards Miles
Liv. Cashback is aimed at everyday spenders, offering up to 4% cashback and the option to redeem rewards as cashback or Skywards Miles. It makes more sense for customers who prefer cashback over travel rewards.
SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON OF THE FOUR CARDS:
| Credit Card | Earning Rate | Welcome Bonus | Annual / Joining Fee | Key Perks | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Skywards Infinite Credit Card |
2 Skywards Miles/USD |
Up to 100,000 Skywards Miles |
AED 3,148.95 joining; AED 1,575 annual fee from year 2 |
Emirates Skywards Silver membership; premium travel benefits |
High-income frequent Emirates flyers |
|
Skywards Signature Credit Card |
1.5 Skywards Miles/USD |
Up to 40,000 Skywards Miles |
AED 1,574 joining; AED 735 renewal |
Unlimited lounge access via Visa Airport Companion |
Moderate-income Emirates flyers who want premium benefits at a lower cost |
|
Voyager Elite Mastercard |
Up to 12 Voyager Miles/AED 1 on travel |
Up to 150,000 miles |
First year free, AED 1,575 from second year |
Higher travel rewards and premium benefits |
AED 25,000; higher-income frequent travelers |
|
Voyager World Mastercard |
Up to 6 Voyager Miles/AED 1 on travel |
Up to 75,000 miles |
Free for life |
Travel-focused rewards with no annual fee |
AED 12,000; travelers who want a lifetime-free card |
|
Liv. Cashback Card |
Up to 4% cashback on all spends |
Varies by promotional period |
Liv Cashback Card is free; Liv Cashback+ Card costs AED 735 annually |
Cashback or Skywards Miles redemption; digital-first experience |
Everyday spenders who prefer cashback |
Loans & Mortgages
Emirates NBD offers personal loans, auto finance and home loans, with eligibility depending on income, residency, employment and credit profile.
PERSONAL LOANS:
UAE residents and nationals aged 21 to 60 can apply for a personal loan with a minimum salary of AED 5,000, subject to the bank’s eligibility criteria. Personal loans can run from 12 to 48 months, with indicative fixed rates currently starting from 4.99% reducing per year. The processing fee is 1.05% of the loan amount, subject to the applicable minimum and maximum charges.
A strong AECB credit score can improve eligibility and may lead to faster processing and better pricing. Salary-transfer loans are also available, and Emirates NBD offers a co-applicant option for eligible borrowers.
AUTO FINANCE:
Emirates NBD finances new and used vehicles. Eligible applicants can borrow with a minimum salary of AED 7,000, while self-employed applicants can qualify with an average account balance of AED 20,000. Some auto-loan products offer financing of up to 80% of the vehicle cost and repayment periods of up to 60 months.
HOME LOANS:
Home-loan requirements depend on whether you are a UAE national, resident or non-resident. For expatriates, Emirates NBD currently lists a minimum salary of AED 15,000 and financing of up to 80% of the property value. Eligible UAE nationals can access financing of up to 85% of property value with a minimum salary of AED 10,000.
WHAT MATTERS BEFORE APPLYING:
Compare the interest rate, processing fee, loan amount, repayment period and early-settlement charges rather than choosing a loan based only on the advertised rate. A good AECB score and salary transfer can affect the rate and approval process, but the final offer depends on your profile.
Digital Banking & Mobile App
Emirates NBD’s digital stack splits into three layers: Emirates NBD Online for full-featured banking, the mobile app for daily controls, and Liv. for instant, no-minimum digital banking. Here is how each layer performs, and where each one wins.
EMIRATES NBD ONLINE BANKING:
FULL-FEATURED INTERNET BANKING FOR PERSONAL AND BUSINESS ACCOUNTS.
Emirates NBD Online is the workhorse. It handles personal and business accounts, transfers, statements, bill payments, and trade finance. The interface is not flashy, but it is complete. If you need to manage a company account or set up recurring payments, this is where you do it. The mobile app links to the same credentials, but the web platform remains the most powerful tool for complex tasks.
MOBILE APP:
FEATURES AND PERFORMANCE, BIOMETRIC LOGIN, CARD CONTROLS, APP RELIABILITY.
The mobile app adds biometric login, card controls, and push notifications. You can freeze a card, set spending limits, and approve transactions from your phone. Reliability is decent, but it can feel slower than a pure neobank. Liv. opens in seconds; the main app sometimes takes a few extra taps. For daily banking, the app is fine.
LIV. NEOBANK:
STANDALONE DIGITAL BANK: INSTANT OPENING, SPENDING ANALYTICS, 4% CASHBACK CARD, NO MINIMUM BALANCE.
Liv. is Emirates NBD’s standalone neobank. It’s the Group’s digital-first banking option, with no minimum balance and app-based account opening. It is better suited to customers who want simple everyday banking and spending tools.
Islamic & Business Banking
Emirates Islamic is a separate banking entity within the Emirates NBD Group, rather than an Islamic product line offered directly under the Emirates NBD brand. Its Islamic assets exceed AED 250 billion, making it a major Islamic banking business in the UAE.
The bank offers Sharia-compliant products based on structures such as Murabaha and Ijara.
SHARIA-COMPLIANT PRODUCTS
Its Sharia-compliant range includes accounts, cards, home finance, auto finance, and business banking. Pricing and minimum balances differ from conventional Emirates NBD products, so check the Schedule of Charges before assuming parity.
BUSINESS BANKING FOR SMES
SME banking requires a valid UAE trade license. You get business current accounts, trade finance, and loans. Fees and available waivers depend on the business banking package you choose.
CORPORATE BANKING SERVICES
Corporate clients get treasury, cash management, trade finance, and lending. Its 60% stake in RBL Bank in India may also support business and trade links between the UAE and India.
International Transfers & Remittance
For international transfers, Emirates NBD uses SWIFT for standard transfers and Partior for eligible institutional payments.
SWIFT TRANSFERS:
TRADITIONAL 1-3 BUSINESS DAY TRANSFERS; FEES VARY BY DESTINATION AND AMOUNT.
SWIFT is used for standard international bank transfers and remittances. Processing times and fees vary by destination, amount and intermediary banks.
PARTIOR BLOCKCHAIN USD PAYMENTS:
REAL-TIME SETTLEMENT, ENHANCED TRANSPARENCY AND FIRST IN THE REGION.
Emirates NBD launched the region’s first real-time blockchain-based USD payments through the Partior network in July 2026, with J.P. Morgan acting as the settlement bank in the first phase. The service is currently available to corporate and institutional clients. If the other bank cannot process the payment through Partior, the transfer may need to use SWIFT instead.
Account Opening Requirements & Process
Now let’s talk about how to open an account.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:
Prepare your Emirates ID, passport, visa, salary certificate, and proof of address before applying. Additional documents may be required depending on the account and your circumstances.
DOES ACCOUNT OPENING REQUIRE A BRANCH VISIT?
Eligible customers can open some standard salary-transfer accounts through the app. Non-residents and customers with more complex requirements may need to visit a branch.
DIGITAL ACCOUNT OPENING: DOCUMENTS AND PROCESSING TIME:
Eligible residents can open some accounts digitally using their Emirates ID, passport and visa. Approval time varies because applications are subject to the bank’s verification checks, so new UAE residents should allow extra time.
NON-RESIDENT ACCOUNT OPENING OPTIONS:
Non-residents may need a notarized passport copy, proof of their overseas address, and a reference letter from their current bank for opening an account. Non-residents should prepare these documents in advance before applying.
Fees & Charges Summary
It’s important to understand the ongoing fees, minimum balance requirements, transfer charges, card fees, and loan processing fees which can vary depending on the product.
ACCOUNT MAINTENANCE FEES
Emirates NBD personal accounts may have minimum balance requirements ranging from AED 3,000 to AED 5,000, depending on the account. If your average balance falls below the required amount, a fall-below fee may apply.
TRANSFER FEES
Transfers between Emirates NBD accounts are typically free. Other domestic and international transfer fees depend on the transfer type and applicable charges. International transfer fees vary depending on the destination, amount, and transfer method.
SWIFT transfers may involve correspondent or intermediary bank charges, depending on the destination and receiving bank. Emirates NBD also uses the Partior network for eligible real-time cross-border USD payments. The applicable fees may differ from standard SWIFT transfers.
CARD FEES
Card annual fees vary sharply by product. The Skywards Infinite Credit Card has a AED 3,148.95 joining fee, a AED 1,575 annual fee from the second year, and a minimum salary requirement of AED 30,000 per month.
The Skywards Signature Credit Card charges AED 735 on renewal, with a joining fee of AED 1,574, and requires a minimum salary of AED 12,000 to 15,000 per month depending on the source.
The Liv. Cashback card’s annual fee is not confirmed in the evidence reviewed here, so verify it on the product page before applying. The Skywards Infinite card has a higher annual fee, so customers should compare its travel benefits with the lower-cost Signature card before applying.
LOAN PROCESSING FEES
Loan processing fees vary by loan type and amount, and Emirates NBD does not publish a single flat rate across all products. Personal loans, auto loans, and mortgages each carry their own processing fee structure, typically calculated as a percentage of the loan amount.
Check the latest Schedule of Charges for the applicable fees, as the amounts may change.
Pros & Cons
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
|
Large branch and ATM network — convenient access across the UAE |
Minimum balance requirements — some accounts require AED 3,000 or more |
|
Strong digital banking — ENBD X, Online Banking and Liv. cover a wide range of everyday needs |
Fall-below fees — applicable accounts may charge around AED 25/month when the required balance is not maintained |
|
Skywards benefits: Eligible cards offer strong Emirates Skywards mile-earning rates and welcome bonuses. |
Premium card fees — higher-tier cards can be expensive for infrequent travelers |
|
Broad Islamic banking offering — Emirates Islamic provides Sharia-compliant alternatives within the group |
Some fees require checking — charges and eligibility can vary by product and account tier |
|
Wide product range — personal, business, corporate, Islamic, wealth and lending services |
Branch wait times — busy locations may have longer queues for in-person services |
Who Emirates NBD is best for:
The right Emirates NBD product depends on your income, residency status, and banking needs.
EXPATS AND NON-RESIDENT:
If you’re new to the UAE, Liv. can suit customers who want digital-first banking without a minimum balance. Salaried residents should also compare a standard Emirates NBD account if they can meet the salary-transfer requirements.
SALARIED EMPLOYEES:
Customers who transfer their salary to Emirates NBD may qualify for the Salary Transfer Package, which can include fee waivers and preferential rates on loans and cards. Customers who do not qualify for the package may need to maintain the required average monthly balance (AED 3000) to avoid a fall-below fee. Eligibility depends on the bank’s salary requirements and the account tier.
BUSINESS OWNERS:
Business owners can choose between conventional Emirates NBD business banking and Sharia-compliant options through Emirates Islamic. Requirements, fees and available financing depend on the business type and package. A valid trade license is required, although documentation may differ between mainland and free zone companies.
HIGH-NET-WORTH INDIVIDUALS:
High-net-worth customers can consider Emirates NBD’s wealth management and premium banking services. Premium tiers offer dedicated relationship managers, preferential rates, and higher transaction limits. If you need Sharia-compliant wealth management, Emirates Islamic has parallel offerings. Compare the eligibility requirements, fees, and benefits of each tier before choosing one.
FREQUENT TRAVELERS:
Frequent Emirates flyers should compare Skywards Infinite and Signature based on salary, annual cost and travel benefits. Infinite is aimed at higher-income customers, while Signature has a lower salary requirement and lower renewal fee.
Customer Service & Contact Details
Emirates NBD offers several customer service options, including phone banking, digital support, email, and branch services. A 24/7 service is also available for lost or stolen card emergencies. The mobile app offers chat, a chatbot, and secure messaging for account-related queries. The bank also provides support through its social media channels.
Phone banking for non-urgent matters and email, operate during standard UAE business hours. Branch hours vary by location, so check the locator before visiting.
Emirates NBD Contact Details
Personal Banking
Business Banking
Priority Banking
Private Banking
Corporate and Institutional Banking
Customer Support
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum balance for an Emirates NBD current account and what happens if I drop below it?
The standard current account requires AED 3,000 to 5,000 depending on the tier. Dropping below the minimum triggers a fall-below fee of approximately AED 25 per month. Liv., the digital-only account, has no minimum balance requirement.
How do I avoid the Emirates NBD fall-below fee?
Maintain at least AED 3,000 as your average monthly balance or route your salary through Emirates NBD with the Salary Transfer Package. The standard salary transfer tier requires a monthly salary between AED 15,000 and 49,999 and waives the fall-below fee.
What are the differences between the Skywards Infinite and Skywards Signature credit cards?
Skywards Infinite earns 2 miles per USD, offers up to 100,000 welcome miles, includes Emirates Skywards Silver membership, and charges AED 1,575 annually with a AED 30,000 minimum salary. Skywards Signature earns 1.5 miles per USD, offers up to 40,000 welcome miles, includes unlimited lounge access, and charges AED 735 on renewal with a AED 12,000 to 15,000 minimum salary.
Is Emirates NBD's Partior blockchain payment available to retail customers?
No. Partior real-time USD payments, launched July 14, 2026, are available only to corporate and institutional clients. Retail customers use SWIFT transfers, which typically take 1 to 3 business days.
What is Liv. and how does it compare to a standard Emirates NBD account?
Liv. is Emirates NBD’s digital-only account with no minimum balance, instant app opening, spending analytics, and a credit card offering up to 4% cashback. It works best as a complement to a primary Emirates NBD account, not a replacement.
What documents do I need to open an Emirates NBD account?
You need an Emirates ID, passport, visa, salary certificate, and proof of address. Non-residents must also provide a notarized passport copy, overseas address proof, and a bank reference letter.