Millions of people living in the UAE, especially expats, send money to their families in India, Pakistan, the Philippines, or other countries. Emirates NBD’s Direct Remit service provides free and instant transfers to customers. Emirates NBD in the UAE will charge a fee of AED 26.25 on every international transfer from September 2025, which is trending.
This news is causing a lot of trouble for many people, especially expats who have to transfer money to their loved ones every month. If you are wondering how this will affect you and how to avoid it, then this article is for you.
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What is the new fee for Emeritus NBD?
Leading UAE bank Emirates NBD is ending free transfers for its Direct Remittance service. Here are the key takeaways:
Effective September 1, 2025, a flat fee of AED 26.25 (including VAT) will be charged on every international transfer. This fee will apply to transfers made through the ENBD X mobile app or online banking.
Previously, Direct Remit, which was free for transfers of AED 100 or more to countries like India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Egypt, Sri Lanka, and the UK, made it easier for people to transfer money, but it will now be subject to this fee.
Not only the charger, but also some percentage of the commission will have to be paid:
- A 1.99% commission will be charged on each transfer.
- There will be a margin on the exchange rate from 0.2 to 4.6%, which will be higher for less-used currencies like the Nepalese rupee or the Indonesian rupiah.
- If a third bank is involved, additional fees ranging from AED 40 to 400 may apply, depending on the currency, destination, and amount of the transfer.
- If a third bank is involved, there may be an additional fee of AED 40 to 400, depending on the currency, destination, and amount of the transfer.
- If you visit a bank branch to transfer foreign currency, there will be a fee of AED 78.80, while online transfers to Emirates NBD accounts are free.
This change brings Emirates NBD in line with other banks in the UAE, where international transfer fees typically range between AED 20 and 60.
The end of free remittances has been a hot topic of discussion on social media, especially X. Users such as @khaleejtimes and @digismarties have highlighted people's frustration.
How will this affect you?
If you use Direct Remit, the AED 26.25 fee could impact your budget. For example:
- If you send AED 1,000 to India every month, it will cost you an additional AED 315 per year.
- If you add FX margin (e.g., 2 percent) and correspondent fees (e.g., AED 40), the total cost for a transfer of AED 1,000 could be over AED 60.
This change will particularly affect people who:
- Make frequent transfers: Small, regular transfers will be more expensive.
- Send small amounts: The flat fee puts a higher burden on small amounts.
- Expat communities: Workers from India, Pakistan, and the Philippines will face higher costs.
How to reduce remittance costs?
Don’t worry, you can keep your transfers cheap. Here are some practical ways:
Compare with other services
- Platforms like Wise, Remitly, or Hubpay often offer lower fees and better exchange rates. For example:
- Wise: Transparent fees (often under AED 10) and mid-market exchange rates.
- Remitly: Good rates for the Philippines or India.
Use tools like Monito to find the cheapest option for your destination.
If you have any questions or need help choosing a remittance service, comment below or contact Emirates NBD support. Move your money smartly!
