How personal credit works in the UAE — the Al Etihad Credit Bureau, credit scores, and building creditworthiness in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The United Arab Emirates operates a centralised personal credit system through the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), established in 2014. This system has transformed credit assessment in the UAE, providing lenders with comprehensive, standardised credit information on UAE residents for the first time.
The AECB is the UAE's official credit bureau, established by federal law and operating under the supervision of the UAE Central Bank. It collects credit data from all UAE banks, finance companies, and telecommunications providers, maintaining credit files on UAE residents and citizens. The AECB credit score ranges from 300 to 900, with scores above 700 considered good and scores above 800 considered excellent.
UAE residents can obtain their AECB credit report and score through the AECB app or website for a nominal fee. The report includes details of all credit facilities, payment history, and credit enquiries from the past two years.
The UAE's credit system is relatively young — the AECB was only established in 2014 — which means that many UAE residents have limited credit history even if they have been financially responsible. Building a credit history in the UAE requires actively using formal financial products and ensuring all payments are made on time.
UAE banks offer personal loans, credit cards, car loans, and mortgage products. Interest rates are influenced by the US Federal Reserve's monetary policy, as the UAE dirham is pegged to the US dollar. The UAE Central Bank sets maximum interest rates for personal loans (capped at 6% flat or approximately 12% reducing balance) and regulates credit card fees and charges.
The UAE mortgage market has grown significantly, with banks offering both conventional and Islamic (Sharia-compliant) mortgage products. UAE Central Bank regulations cap mortgage lending at 80% LTV for UAE nationals and 75% LTV for expatriates on first properties. The Dubai Land Department and Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities regulate property transactions and mortgage registration.
Building a positive credit profile in the UAE requires: maintaining a UAE bank account, using credit products responsibly, paying all bills on time, and avoiding bounced cheques (which are a criminal offence in the UAE and have severe consequences for credit access). Expatriates should note that their UAE credit history does not transfer when they leave the country, making it important to build credit in their home country as well.
Access the complete Crypdawgs UAE Blueprint for step-by-step guidance on building business credit, opening bank accounts, and accessing financing in UAE.
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