United Arab Emirates – currency and current payment rules

What is the currency in the United Arab Emirates?

If your trip to Dubai is fast approaching, now is the perfect time to plan your stay in detail and gather the necessary information. Local payments and currency exchange are one of the key elements to study before going on holiday abroad. In this guide, you will find everything you need to know about making payments in the United Arab Emirates – paying with cash, card, currency exchange and withdrawing money from an ATM. Find out what currency is used in the UAE and where to get it.

The official currency of the United Arab Emirates is the United Arab Emirates dirham. The dirham has been the official currency of the UAE since 1973. 1 dirham is divided into 100 fils. The abbreviation for the dirham is AED, although the abbreviations ‘Dhs’ and ‘Dh’ are also used unofficially. The AED currency, or Emirati dirham, is closely linked to the dollar at a rate of 1 USD = 3.6725 AED. The following banknotes are in circulation: 5 dirhams, 10 dirhams, 20 dirhams, 50 dirhams, 100 dirhams, 200 dirhams, 500 dirhams and 1000 dirhams. The following coins are also in circulation: 1 dirham, 25 and 50 fils. Now let's move on to the next section – UAE dirham additional information:

What is the UAE dirham exchange rate?

The UAE dirham (AED) exchange rate – 1 AED = 0.99 PLN, 0.23 EUR, 0.27 USD, 1.19 RON (last updated: February 2026). For more practical information, see the official Dubai Guide.

Exchanging currency for dirhams (AED)

Where is the best place to exchange currency for dirhams (AED)? It is definitely not worth doing this before you leave on holiday. In most exchange offices outside the United Arab Emirates, with the exception of a few in some European capitals, the AED exchange rate is significantly less favourable than in the UAE. Currency exchange in the United Arab Emirates – it is best to exchange currency in the UAE at official exchange offices in the city (exchange offices in shopping centres or branches in the city), at airports or in banks. Check where to exchange currency in Dubai and check where to exchange currency in Abu Dhabi. It is best to exchange dollars or euros at exchange offices. Another option, which in my opinion is the best, is to use ATMs in the UAE, specifically withdrawing money from ATMs in Dubai or Abu Dhabi using a multi-currency card, e.g. Revolut or ZEN, after exchanging your currency in the app for AED at the best rate.

Payment methods in the United Arab Emirates

Can you pay by card in the UAE? What is the best way to pay in Dubai? In the United Arab Emirates, you can pay with both cash and payment cards. Payment cards are common in the Emirates and accepted in 99% of places. Tourists often pay with multi-currency cards, e.g. using Revolut in Dubai. You can also pay with cash everywhere without any problems. Sometimes it may be the only method of payment in small shops or markets in Old Dubai (however, this is no longer the case in 2026, as you can pay by card everywhere), or in other shopping centres outside Dubai, in the provinces of the Emirates. However, payment cards will be sufficient for people going to Dubai for a few days or more than 10 days of holiday. Cash in Dubai is useful for tipping or for emergencies. You can withdraw the currency of the United Arab Emirates, the dirham, without commission from the following ATMs: ADCB, Emirates NBD.

Can you pay with dollars or euros in Dubai?

Can you pay with dollars or euros for accommodation, attractions or food in restaurants in the UAE? Of course, the dollar and the euro are not the official currencies of the United Arab Emirates and cannot be used to pay everywhere in Dubai and the rest of the emirates in the UAE. Some hotels, restaurants or shops will accept dollars or euros, but the exchange rate will not be favourable for you. You will usually receive your change in dirhams. It is much better to exchange dollars or euros for dirhams or use a Revolut or ZEN card, as well as other multi-currency cards offered by banks.

Payments in Dubai and Abu Dhabi for attractions

No matter where you are from and what currency you use on a daily basis, you can conveniently pay for the best attractions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi on the Two Continents website using your preferred method: bank transfer, Google Pay, Aplay Pay, debit or credit card, BLIK, and in any currency: PLN, AED, USD, EUR, GBP and RON. The same applies to accommodation in Dubai in a private apartment with a magnificent view of the city – you choose, pay in a few seconds and you're done!

Questions and answers (FAQ)

• Is it worth taking cash to the Emirates?

Yes, it is worth taking a small amount of cash in dirhams (AED) for small expenses (tips, taxis, bazaars), but card payments are the dominant method of payment in the United Arab Emirates. If you do not have dirhams, take US dollars (USD) or euros (EUR), but exchange them locally at exchange offices (preferably in shopping centres), as the rates will be better than outside the UAE.

• Where is the best place to exchange currency in the UAE?

It is best to exchange currency in the UAE at currency exchange chains such as Al Ansari Exchange, Sharaf Exchange or Lulu Exchange, which you will find in shopping centres (e.g. The Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates) and districts (e.g. Deira, Bur Dubai), as they offer good exchange rates and commissions. Avoid exchange offices at the airport (bad exchange rates) and in hotels (usually expensive). Using multi-currency cards (e.g. from Revolut) and withdrawing cash from ATMs is also a good option.

• Are mobile payments popular in the Emirates?

Yes, UAE cashless payments such as Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay are becoming increasingly popular and are widely accepted in the United Arab Emirates, especially in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, in most shops, restaurants, hotels, as well as in transport and services, although it is also worth carrying some cash for smaller local purchases. So now you know that you can pay by card in the UAE, and that you can also pay by phone or mobile payment.