🏦 Best UAE savings accounts October 2025 – top rates still holding strong
- Kacper Duda
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Savings rates haven’t moved much since our last update, though a few banks have quietly trimmed theirs following recent rate cuts and growing expectations of further reductions later this year. The good news? The best UAE savings accounts are still paying up to 6.25%, especially if you’re willing to move your salary.
If you haven’t reviewed where your cash sits recently, now’s a good time to check you’re not missing out.
Read on to find out:
Which banks currently offer the best UAE savings rates
How salary-linked accounts stack up against standard ones
Why fixed vs variable still matters in a falling-rate environment
In the news: Dubai Fitness Challenge 2025 - Registration for free events now open
Quick market pulse
Average savings rates in the UAE have held steady, with most top-tier accounts offering between 3% and 5%. The leaders remain Mashreq, Wio and FAB, and ADCB.
Salary-linked promotions, introduced earlier this year, continue to top the charts and are a good option if you’re open to switching your main bank.
It’s worth noting that ADCB, FAB and Wio all reduced their rates in anticipation/response to CBUAE base rate cuts. Whilst that’s not indicative of any future movements, our savings tracker always keeps an eye on rates from the top 12 UAE banks, and we’ll let you know when things move again.
Best UAE savings accounts currently
Salary-linked savings
Savings account | Rate | Any catches |
6.25% | Requires AED 10k+ salary transfer | |
6% | Requires AED 15k+ salary transfer |
Both are promotional offers and can change without notice, but they still sit comfortably above the rest of the market.
Standard savings accounts
Savings account | Rate | Any catches |
5% | Min. balance AED 50k | |
4.5% | Bonus rate applies to new funds only | |
4.25% | New funds only; valid until 30 Nov 2025 | |
4.5% | No withdrawal penalty; minimum AED 35k for Wio Plus | |
4.4% | Early withdrawal penalty of 0.5% per annum. Wio Plus required. | |
3.25% | Variable rate; fully flexible; minimum AED 35k for Wio Plus |
Rates are per annum and based on currently advertised figures as of mid-October 2025.
Why savings accounts still matter
Every dirham sitting in a current account is quietly losing value to inflation. At 6.25%, every AED 10,000 could earn you around AED 625 per year for doing nothing at all. Even if you invest, it’s still smart to keep a few months of expenses in an accessible, interest-bearing account as your emergency fund.
Fixed vs variable - the quick take
Variable accounts move in line with market rates and can change at any time. Fixed-term options lock in your return for a set period (usually one to twelve months), and while you can access your funds early, you might forfeit some of the interest. With further rate cuts expected, fixing a decent short-term rate now could be worth considering.
Are UAE banks safe?
Yes. All the banks listed above are regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE. While the country doesn’t have a formal deposit protection scheme, regulatory oversight is strong and banks are generally considered stable. For larger balances, consider spreading funds across a couple of institutions for extra peace of mind. You can always check the CBUAE’s list of licensed banks.
What we’d do
If your savings are earning below 4%, it’s time to move. The gap between the top and bottom rates is wide enough to make a real difference to your returns over the year.
In the news: Dubai Fitness Challenge 2025 - Registration for free events now open
Physical, mental and financial well-being are all interconnected systems. When you can improve any of them for free, we’re letting you know!
Dubai’s Fitness Challenge is launching its ninth edition for the month of November. Whether you fancy a cycle down Sheikh Zayed Road, yoga on the beach, stand up paddle boarding in Hatta Dam or a 5km or 10km run past some iconic landmarks, there is something here for everyone.
The best thing? The majority of the events are free to sign up to, so head to Dubai Fitness Challenge 2025 to find your activities and register (spaces are limited)!
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.
