Business Accounts in the UAE

Banking built for startups, SMEs, free zone companies, freelancers and LLCs Open the right business account in the UAE — faster.

Find the account that fits your company, estimate your real monthly banking cost, check you're ready to apply, and get the exact documents for mainland, free zone or freelance businesses.

Find My Account Estimate Banking Cost
Mainland & free zone Multi-currency WPS payroll ready
0%UAE corporate tax on profit above AED 375K
0Mandatory VAT registration threshold
0Free zones across the UAE
0Digital banking access at most banks

Tax figures from UAE Federal Tax Authority rules. Dashboard values are illustrative. Account features, fees and minimum balances vary by bank — always confirm before applying.

Who it's for

What kind of business do you run?

Pick your setup — we'll load the right document checklist for you further down the page.

Why it matters

Why every UAE business needs its own account

A dedicated business account isn't just good practice — it's how you get paid, pay your team and stay compliant.

Stay compliant

Separate company money for corporate tax, VAT and audits, and pay salaries through WPS where required.

Build trust

Clients and suppliers expect to pay and be paid by a company account in your trade name.

Trade globally

Send and receive USD, EUR and other currencies, and hold balances to avoid repeated conversion costs.

Collect payments

Accept cards in-store and online with POS terminals and payment gateways linked to your account.

Unlock finance

A clean account history is the first thing banks check for business loans, cards and trade finance.

Protect yourself

Keep personal assets separate and give staff controlled access with user roles and approval limits.

Account types

Choose the right type of account

Most businesses start with a current account and add others as they grow.

Business current account

The everyday account for receiving payments, paying suppliers and running payroll. Traditional banks pair it with a relationship manager, cheque book and branch access.

  • Cheque book and cash deposits
  • Access to loans, overdrafts and trade finance
  • Usually a minimum average balance
Min. balanceVaries by bank
Opening timeDays to weeks
SupportBranch + RM
Best for: established SMEs that handle cheques, cash and credit.
Inside your account

Everything your business banking can do

Explore the tools most UAE business accounts offer. Select a feature to preview it.

Account finder

Find your best-fit account in 5 questions

Answer a few quick questions and we'll suggest the account type that suits how you work.

Question 1 of 5
Banking cost estimator

What will your account really cost?

Enter the fees from your bank's schedule of charges. The default numbers are examples only — every bank prices differently.

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Estimated monthly costAED 0AED 0 a year
Grow with add-ons

Services that grow with your business

Once your account is open, these are the services UAE businesses add most often.

POS & gateway

Take card and wallet payments in-store and online, settled into your account.

Corporate cards

Give staff cards with individual limits and real-time spend tracking.

Working capital

Overdrafts and business loans once you have an account history.

Trade finance

Letters of credit, guarantees and import or export financing.

FX hedging

Lock exchange rates for future payments to protect your margins.

Cash management

Cash pickup, deposit machines and liquidity sweeps between accounts.

Accounting sync

Feed transactions straight into your accounting software for easy VAT returns.

Business insurance

Cover for property, liability and employee health, often bundled with banking.

Side-by-side

Traditional, digital or Islamic?

How the main ways to bank your business compare.

Comparison of business account options in the UAE
Feature Traditional Digital Islamic Multi-currency
Minimum balanceUsually requiredOften low or zeroVaries by bankVaries by bank
OpeningBranch or RM, documents reviewed in personOnline, app-basedBranch or onlineAdded to a main account
Cheques & cashFull supportLimitedFull supportLimited
FinancingLoans, overdraft, trade financeGrowing rangeMurabaha, IjarahFX and trade tools
Pricing styleFee per serviceMonthly plansFee per serviceFX margin + fees
Best forEstablished SMEsStartups & freelancersSharia-compliant firmsImporters & exporters
Eligibility

Are you ready to apply?

UAE banks follow strict know-your-customer rules. Switch on everything you already have to see your readiness score.

    0%Ready

    Document checklist

    Documents you'll need

    Choose your business setup. Tick items as you collect them — your progress is saved on this device.

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      How it works

      Opening your account, step by step

      Digital accounts can open within days; traditional banks may take a few weeks for full compliance checks.

      1. 01

        Get licensed

        Trade licence from your free zone or the economic department.

      2. 02

        Shortlist banks

        Compare minimum balance, fees and the services you'll use.

      3. 03

        Prepare documents

        Licence, ownership papers, IDs, business plan and proof of address.

      4. 04

        KYC review

        The bank verifies owners, activity and source of funds; may meet you.

      5. 05

        Sign & fund

        Sign the mandate and make the initial deposit if required.

      6. 06

        Go live

        Receive online banking access, cards and your IBAN.

      Tax & compliance

      Rules your account helps you follow

      Your business account is the backbone of your tax and regulatory records.

      Corporate tax

      9% above AED 375K

      Taxable profit up to AED 375,000 is taxed at 0%, and 9% above that. Most businesses must register with the FTA.

      VAT

      5% VAT

      Registration is mandatory once taxable supplies pass AED 375,000 in 12 months, and voluntary from AED 187,500.

      Ownership

      UBO register

      Companies must record their ultimate beneficial owners, and banks will ask for this information.

      Payroll

      WPS salaries

      Companies registered with MOHRE must pay salaries through the Wage Protection System.

      General information only, not tax advice. Check the latest rules with the Federal Tax Authority or a registered tax agent.

      Get approved faster

      Why applications get delayed

      Tap a card to see how to avoid each common problem.

      FAQ

      Business account questions, answered

      What UAE founders ask most before opening an account.

      Visit Help Center
      Can a free zone company open a UAE bank account?
      Yes. Free zone companies can open accounts with UAE banks. You'll need your free zone licence, company documents and the shareholders' and managers' passports and IDs.
      Do I need to be a UAE resident?
      Many banks require at least one signatory with a UAE residence visa and Emirates ID. Some accept non-resident owners with extra checks, so ask each bank about its policy.
      How long does it take to open a business account?
      Digital banks can open accounts within a few days once documents are complete. Traditional banks often take one to several weeks because of compliance reviews.
      Is there a minimum balance?
      It depends on the bank and the account. Some digital accounts have no minimum balance, while traditional accounts may require a minimum average balance and charge a fall-below fee.
      Can freelancers open a business account?
      Yes, if you hold a valid freelance permit or licence. Some banks offer accounts designed for freelancers and sole traders.
      Why do banks ask so many questions?
      UAE banks must follow anti-money-laundering and know-your-customer rules. Clear, complete answers about your activity, owners and source of funds speed up approval.

      Ready to open your business account?

      Find your best-fit account, estimate your costs and get your documents ready. Account opening is always subject to the bank's approval.

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