UAE Bank SWIFT Codes: Emirates NBD, FAB, ADCB, Mashreq and More
The SWIFT code identifies your bank in an international transfer. The main UAE banks’ codes are EBILAEAD for Emirates NBD, NBADAEAA for First Abu Dhabi Bank, ADCBAEAA for ADCB, BOMLAEAD for Mashreq, DUIBAEAD for Dubai Islamic Bank and ABDIAEAD for ADIB. Most UAE banks use one head office code for all branches. If a form asks for 11 characters, add XXX to the end. Someone sending you money from abroad needs this code together with your 23-character IBAN and your name exactly as your bank holds it.
- Copy your IBAN from your banking app.
- Find your bank’s SWIFT code in the table below.
- Send both, with your full name as on the account, to the sender.
SWIFT codes for UAE banks
Each code below was checked against the bank’s own website or published documents in October 2026.
| Bank | SWIFT or BIC code |
|---|---|
| Emirates NBD | EBILAEAD |
| First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) | NBADAEAA |
| Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) | ADCBAEAA |
| Mashreq | BOMLAEAD |
| Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) | DUIBAEAD |
| Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) | ABDIAEAD |
| Emirates Islamic | MEBLAEAD |
| RAKBANK | NRAKAEAK |
| Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD) | CBDUAEAD |
| HSBC UAE | BBMEAEAD |
| Standard Chartered UAE | SCBLAEAD |
| Citibank UAE | CITIAEAD |
| National Bank of Fujairah (NBF) | NBFUAEAF |
Two codes look odd at first glance. FAB’s code starts with NBAD because FAB was formed from National Bank of Abu Dhabi, and the old code was kept. Emirates Islamic’s code starts with MEBL, from its former name, Middle East Bank. Neither is a mistake, so do not let a sender “correct” them.
How to read a SWIFT code
A SWIFT code, also called a BIC, has 8 or 11 characters, and each part means something. Using Emirates NBD as the example:
| Part | Characters | Emirates NBD example |
|---|---|---|
| Bank code | 4 letters | EBIL |
| Country code | 2 letters | AE for the UAE |
| Location code | 2 letters or digits | AD |
| Branch code, optional | 3 letters or digits | XXX for the head office |
Every UAE bank code has AE in positions five and six. If a code you have been given for a UAE account shows any other country, check it before sending.
Branch codes and the XXX ending
For personal transfers, the 8-character head office code is what UAE banks publish, and payments reach the right account because the IBAN identifies it. Some forms insist on 11 characters. In that case add XXX, so Emirates NBD becomes EBILAEADXXX and Mashreq becomes BOMLAEADXXX. Mashreq’s own terms say an 11-character code is required on its forms and that an invalid code can lead to a rejected payment and charges.
HSBC is the main exception that uses branch suffixes. Its Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah branches use codes ending ABU, SHJ, RKS and FUJ, while the main Dubai branches use the plain BBMEAEAD. If your bank gave you a branch-specific code in your welcome pack, use that one.
Details a sender needs
| Detail | Where to find it |
|---|---|
| Your full name as on the account | Your bank statement or app |
| Your IBAN, 23 characters starting AE | Account details in your app |
| Your bank’s SWIFT code | The table above or your bank’s website |
| Bank name and address | Some senders’ forms ask for it; use the head office |
| Intermediary bank, for some currencies | Your bank’s published routing instructions |
Intermediary banks matter mainly for US dollar and other foreign currency transfers. RAKBANK, for example, publishes separate routing instructions for each currency, naming the correspondent bank the money should pass through. If your sender’s bank asks for one, take it from your own bank’s site rather than guessing. Our guide to finding your IBAN explains the account side.
SWIFT transfers versus local transfers
You only need a SWIFT code when money crosses a border. Transfers between two UAE bank accounts run through the country’s own payment systems, and the IBAN alone is enough. Many UAE banks now also offer instant local transfers through Aani, the UAE’s instant payments platform, which can send money in seconds to another participating bank, sometimes using just a mobile number. If someone inside the UAE asks for your SWIFT code to pay you, they are probably filling in the wrong form, so point them to the local transfer option in their app instead.
Before giving out or using a SWIFT code, it is worth a final check. Compare it with the code on your bank’s own website or the transfer instructions in your app, make sure the fifth and sixth letters are AE, and confirm that the bank name next to the code matches the bank that holds the account. Senders abroad sometimes find an older or branch-specific code in a directory, and while it usually still works, the head office code your bank publishes is the safest choice. Keep the confirmation or reference number of every international payment until the money has arrived.
Why transfers get rejected
Most problems come from a wrong IBAN, a name that does not match the account, or a SWIFT code for the wrong country or bank. Copy codes rather than typing them, and watch for the letter O and the number 0, which are easy to swap. Correspondent banks along the route can deduct their own fees, so the amount that arrives may be a little less than was sent. Emirates NBD, for one, publishes a separate document on correspondent bank charges. If a transfer is delayed, the sender’s bank can trace it with the payment reference. For sending money out of the UAE, our guide to the cheapest ways to send money home compares banks, exchange houses and apps, and the rest of our money guides are in the UAE banking guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Emirates NBD SWIFT code?
EBILAEAD, or EBILAEADXXX where 11 characters are required. Emirates NBD publishes this one code for transfers to its UAE accounts, whichever branch holds the account.
Why does FAB’s SWIFT code start with NBAD?
FAB was formed from National Bank of Abu Dhabi and kept its code. NBADAEAA is FAB’s current SWIFT code.
Do UAE banks have different SWIFT codes for each branch?
Usually not. Most use one head office code, and your IBAN identifies the account. HSBC is an exception, with suffixes for some branches outside Dubai.
Is a SWIFT code the same as an IBAN?
No. The SWIFT code identifies the bank, and the IBAN identifies your account. International transfers into the UAE need both.
Last verified: October 2026 against each bank’s website and published documents. Banks can change routing details, so confirm with your bank before a large transfer.
Written by Roman Shah · Reviewed by the UAEexplained editorial team
Sources: Emirates NBD, FAB, ADCB, Mashreq, DIB, ADIB, Emirates Islamic, RAKBANK, CBD, HSBC UAE, Standard Chartered, Citibank UAE, NBF
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