💰 Best UAE savings accounts: March 2025
- Kacper Duda
- Mar 19
- 4 min read
The banking landscape in the UAE can be confusing and savings accounts are no exception to that. Rates and offers change frequently and current interest rate uncertainty adds to the key question: Where do you park your savings?
With another US Fed interest rate decision due later today (check further down the article why that's relevant), we thought it was time to bring you a refresher on all things savings. Read on to find out about:
Best UAE savings accounts currently
Top savings interest rates you can obtain today
In the news: 'New study shows 49% of UAE consumers have fallen for a scam.' We've written not long ago on how to keep your money safe in the UAE.
Why should you keep your savings in a savings account?
It's simple - to earn more money. Any time you have your money sitting in a 0% interest account, it's actually losing value due to inflation. Keeping it in a savings account instead should earn you 4.5% per year at current rates, which is equivalent to AED 225 for every AED 5,000 you have saved. That's a no-brainer.
Best UAE savings accounts currently
We've researched savings offers from 16 leading banks in the UAE and as always, there were major differences between them. Some offer savings rates as low as 0.25% per annum, whilst others go up to 5% but have significant restrictions written into the T&Cs.
We selected the following top 3 accounts, that we believe offer good value and have a track record of maintaining decent rates over the last few months.
Savings account | Interest rate | Any catches |
|---|---|---|
4.4%-4.75% fixed term, 3.75% variable | The 1-month (4.75%) and 3-month (4.5%) fixes don't have any withdrawal penalties, so we'd recommend them over the flexible savings space for now. Min. AED 35k required for Wio Plus. | |
4.5% variable | Variable rate, may change at any time. Min. balance of AED 35k required. One withdrawal per month without losing interest. | |
4.75% variable | This rate is applicable until 30/04 on new funds only after which it may drop to ca. 2.5%. FAB continues to extend this promotion repeatedly but there are no guarantees beyond 30/04 so monitor carefully. |
There are two additional accounts that are worth mentioning. Whilst they lack the same track record as the accounts above, their rates are currently competitive.
Savings account | Interest rate | Any catches |
|---|---|---|
5% | Interest rate made up of 3% + 2% bonus rate (it is currently unknown how long the bonus will be paid for). Account only available to new ADCB customers since 01/2025; must also have current or savings account. Min. balance required AED 50k. | |
4.5% profit rate | Promotional rate applicable until 30/04 and is paid on new funds only. Min. balance required AED 50k. |
As always, make sure you read and understand the T&Cs for any products you take out to make sure it is fit for your needs.
All my savings are invested - is that bad?
Not at all, having investments is great. But you should also have an emergency fund that you can easily access without having to liquidate your investments. For this, people often use a high-yield savings account.
We recommend having an emergency fund of 6 months' expenses that you can use to deal with unexpected situations. Whether it's a job loss, health problems or a temporary drop in income.
What does the US Fed have to do with UAE savings?
Good question. Banks usually adjust their savings interest rates in line with the base rate. For AED, the base rate is set by the UAE Central Bank, and when that reduces, so does the interest rate on UAE savings accounts.
However, because the AED is pegged to the US Dollar (meaning the exchange rate is fixed), the UAE Central Bank follows the US monetary policy closely. That means interest rate decisions made by the US Fed are almost always mirrored by the UAE Central Bank.
Are UAE banks safe to keep money in?
Yes. While there is no deposit protection scheme in the UAE (unlike some other countries), all the banks we suggest are regulated by the UAE Central Bank and are generally considered safe. You can always check the list of CBUAE-regulated banks to make sure.
Do make sure you protect yourself from financial scams though. More on this below...
IN THE NEWS - New study shows 49% of UAE consumers have fallen for a scam
It's a point we stress often - protecting your money in the UAE is hugely important as scammers find new ways to trick people into parting with their money.
A new study from Visa (the global payment services operator) shows that 49% of UAE consumers have been a victim of scams. Some 15% have been scammed multiple times. Read more about insights from the study in this KT article.
Disclaimer: Please bear in mind that this email does not constitute financial advice. Any choices you make you are solely responsible for. We always aim to provide highest quality, independent views but do your own research to ensure you’re comfortable with any changes you make to your personal finances.
