Every UAE IBAN is exactly 23 characters: AE, two check digits, a three-digit bank code, then a 16-digit account number. Since 19 November 2011, UAE banks have needed an IBAN to process payments into and out of an account, and salaries paid through the Wage Protection System use it too.
Most of what goes wrong with a UAE IBAN comes down to one of two things: a typing slip that breaks the check digits, or a bank code that belongs to a different bank from the one the payer thinks they’re paying.
UAE IBAN format
| Position | Length | What it is | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 2 | 2 letters | Country code | AE |
| 3 to 4 | 2 digits | Check digits | 07 |
| 5 to 7 | 3 digits | Bank code | 033 |
| 8 to 23 | 16 digits | Account number | 1234567890123456 |
Written in groups of four for reading, an IBAN looks like AE07 0331 2345 6789 0123 456. The IBAN registry, maintained by SWIFT as the official registrar under ISO 13616, sets this UAE structure as AE2!n3!n16!n: everything after AE is numeric.
Remove the spaces when you paste an IBAN into a form. They’re only there to make it readable.
Bank codes for major UAE banks
The three digits in positions 5 to 7 tell you which bank holds the account:
| Bank code | Bank | SWIFT code |
|---|---|---|
| 003 | Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank | ADCBAEAA |
| 011 | Bank of Baroda | BARBAEAD |
| 020 | HSBC UAE | BBMEAEAD |
| 021 | Citibank UAE | CITIAEAD |
| 023 | Commercial Bank of Dubai | CBDUAEAD |
| 024 | Dubai Islamic Bank | DUIBAEAD |
| 026 | Emirates NBD | EBILAEAD |
| 033 | Mashreq | BOMLAEAD |
| 034 | Emirates Islamic | MEBLAEAD |
| 035 | First Abu Dhabi Bank | NBADAEAA |
| 038 | National Bank of Fujairah | NBFUAEAF |
| 040 | RAKBANK | NRAKAEAK |
| 041 | Sharjah Islamic Bank | NBSHAEAS |
| 044 | Standard Chartered | SCBLAEAD |
| 050 | Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank | ABDIAEAD |
| 057 | Ajman Bank | AJMNAEAJ |
FAB’s 035 comes from National Bank of Abu Dhabi, one of the two banks that merged to form FAB. An IBAN starting AE·· 035 is a FAB account even though the code predates the FAB name.
The bank code and the SWIFT code must point to the same bank. If a payer has an IBAN with 026 and a SWIFT code of MEBLAEAD, one of the two is wrong, because 026 is Emirates NBD and MEBLAEAD is Emirates Islamic. Codes for every bank are on the UAE bank SWIFT codes list.
Not every bank fills the 16 digits the same way
The last 16 digits always hold the account, but banks pad them differently. Standard Chartered UAE, for example, uses three zeros, then a two-digit currency code, then the 11-digit account number. That means each currency account at Standard Chartered has its own IBAN. The Standard Chartered SWIFT code UAE page breaks that layout down.
The practical rule for every bank: copy the IBAN for the specific account you want paid into, never build one yourself from your account number.
How to find your IBAN
Every UAE bank shows the IBAN in its app and online banking, under the account’s details, and prints it on statements. Several banks also have a lookup:
| Bank | Fastest way |
|---|---|
| Emirates NBD | IBAN request service with account number and registered mobile |
| ADIB | IBAN checker with 8-digit account or 16-digit card number, or SMS IBAN to 2400 |
| Sharjah Islamic Bank | IBAN generator, or SMS IBAN plus 13-digit account number to 6667 |
| Citibank UAE | IBAN generator on the Citi website |
| Bank of Baroda UAE | IBAN checker on the bank’s website |
How to check an IBAN is valid
The two check digits are calculated from the rest of the IBAN using the ISO standard’s mod-97 method. A single wrong digit makes the check fail, so a bank app can reject a mistyped IBAN before the payment leaves.
Quick manual checks before you send:
- It’s 23 characters, no more, no less.
- It starts with AE.
- Positions 5 to 7 match the bank you expect.
- Everything after AE is a digit, with no letter O in place of a zero.
A valid IBAN only proves the format is right. It doesn’t prove the account belongs to the person you think, so confirm the account name too.
When you need an IBAN & when you don’t
You need an IBAN for:
- Any transfer between two UAE banks
- Money coming into a UAE account from abroad, together with the SWIFT code
- Salary through WPS
UAE accounts don’t have a US-style routing number for incoming international payments, and Indian payers won’t find an IFSC. The IBAN plus the bank’s SWIFT code does that job. A payment without an IBAN is likely to be rejected or delayed, and extra processing charges can apply.
Is it safe to share your IBAN?
Yes. An IBAN can only be used to pay money into your account. Nobody can withdraw money with it. Keep your card number, PIN, CVV and one-time passwords private, whatever the reason someone gives.
FAQ
How many digits is a UAE IBAN?
23 characters: the letters AE followed by 21 digits.
What is the bank code in a UAE IBAN?
The three digits in positions 5 to 7. They identify the bank, for example 026 for Emirates NBD and 035 for FAB.
Is the IBAN the same as my account number?
No. The IBAN contains your account number, plus the country code, check digits and bank code.
Can I find someone’s bank from their IBAN?
Yes. Read the three digits after the check digits and match them to the bank code table.
Do I need an IBAN to receive money from abroad?
Yes. Give the payer your IBAN and your bank’s SWIFT code. A transfer without the IBAN is likely to be rejected or delayed.
Before you share or send
- Copy the IBAN from your app or statement, not from memory.
- Check the bank code matches the bank and SWIFT code you’re giving.
- Remove spaces when you paste it.
- Confirm the account name when you pay someone new.
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