💸 Switch banks in the UAE and earn up to AED 5,500 - August 2025 update
- Kacper Duda
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Still sticking with your old bank? You might be missing out on free cash - up to AED 5,500, just for switching where your salary lands.
That’s right, UAE banks are offering generous cash bonuses if you agree to move your salary to them. In most cases, all it takes is opening a new account and letting your next 3 paycheques flow in. Do that, and your December festive plans might just get an unexpected upgrade.
Read on to find out:
What are salary transfer offers
Best salary transfer bonuses available to you in August 2025
In the news: Strong UAE economy growth forecasts for 2025/2026 and why it matters to you
What are salary transfer offers?
Think of it as a welcome bonus - banks in the UAE offer cash rewards to tempt you into moving your salary to them. In most cases, that means opening a current account (and sometimes a credit card), and setting up your salary to land there each month.
Once you’ve ticked the boxes (usually by receiving your salary for a few months and meeting any spending requirements), the bank credits you a lump sum, often worth AED 1,000s. It’s their way of saying “thanks for the business,” and your chance to earn a quick win.
Best offers out there by salary
Not all salary transfer offers are created equal. Your salary is the main driver that determines the size of the bonus available to you. With lower salaries, getting a credit card may also boost your bonus amount.
We’ve broken down the best deals by salary bracket, with separate tables for:
Salary transfer bonuses without a credit card
Salary transfer bonuses with a credit card
Just find your range and see which bank is offering the highest cashback. If that happens to be your current bank, check out our full breakdown for the next-best alternative.
BEST Salary transfer only offers per salary bracket
Offers that only require you to open a current account and transfer your salary are currently more lucrative for salaries above AED 10,000, with bonuses reaching AED 5,500. For salaries under AED 10,000, you may want to look at the table further down to see how you can boost the bonus by taking out a credit card.
If you already have an account with the best bank for your salary range, you can check our full analysis here to see what promotions other banks have on.
* ADCB bonus paid in form of TouchPoints, which you can redeem at a wide range of retailers, or even use as cash to pay off your credit card. If you prefer cash deals, check out the full analysis for other options.
BEST Salary transfer + new credit card offers per salary bracket
These make more sense for salaries under AED 10,000 (if you have a salary above that, you’re better off with the offers above) and require taking out a credit card.
Salary range | Bank | Bonus (AED) | Min. card spend (60 days) |
|---|---|---|---|
50,000 and above | 4,000 | 10,000 | |
35,000 - 49,999 | 3,500 | 10,000 | |
15,000 - 34,999 | 1,800 | 8,000 | |
8,000 - 14,999 | 900 | 4,000 | |
5,000 - 7,999 | 550 | 3,000 |
* The DIB promotion is valid until 31/12/2025
Let us know if you have seen better offers or think something's not quite right. We always appreciate the feedback.
How to actually get the salary bonus
Tempted by the cash rewards? Here's what you need to do to actually unlock them. Each bank will have its own rules, but most offers follow a similar 3-step process:
Check if you’re eligible
Most offers are for new customers, meaning you haven’t held an account or card with the bank in the last 6–12 months. But there are exceptions: some deals are open to existing customers who haven’t yet taken a credit card or set up a salary transfer.
Open the required products
This usually means applying for a current account (and sometimes a credit card), and setting up your salary to be transferred in. Make sure you meet the bank’s criteria, like minimum salary requirements, age and documentation requirements.
Meet the fulfilment conditions
Once your salary starts landing, you’ll often need to maintain a balance, use the card for a minimum spend, or keep your salary going in for a set period (usually 3 months). Only then will the bonus get credited - timing and requirements vary by bank, so don’t skip the T&Cs.
🚨 Don’t get caught by the fine print
Banks don’t hand out cash for fun - their business is to keep it. If you're aiming to claim a salary transfer bonus, make sure you:
Read the offer T&Cs and confirm you can meet every condition before you commit
Follow the steps precisely and on time - small slip-ups can disqualify you
Set a reminder so you know when to follow up if your bonus doesn’t appear
Some banks will pay you automatically. But when they don’t? You’ll be ready to chase and get what you’re owed.
IN THE NEWS - Strong UAE economy growth forecasts for 2025/2026 and why it matters to you
The UAE has published its 2024 Financial Stability Report forecasting a 4.4% growth for the UAE economy in 2025, and an even stronger growth of 5.4% in 2026.
You may ask how this matters to you. We believe people should understand how macro-economic indicators impact their lives to be able to make better decisions about their financial futures - whether it’s purchasing a property, deciding when to move or what to do with savings.
A growing UAE economy means more business growth, which in turn translates into more jobs and investments streaming into the country. Importantly, the forecasts include non-oil-related growth at 4.5%, meaning other sectors of the economy are also contributing (yes, that’s exciting!). You can find out more about the Central Bank’s report 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.
