✓ CBUAE Licensed — SVF + Retail Payment Services Cat II

Revolut UAE — Complete Guide 2026

Revolut is a CBUAE-licensed fintech operating in the UAE with AED accounts, international money transfers, and multi-currency features. Here is what UAE residents need to know about fees, plans, and when to use Revolut vs alternatives.

Revolut UAE — Key Facts

CBUAE Licensed✓ SVF + Retail Payment Services Cat II
AED account✓ Hold and spend AED
International transfers✓ 150+ countries
Weekday FX rate (within limit)✓ Mid-market rate
Weekend FX markup⚠ 1.5% above fair usage limit
Monthly FX limit⚠ Beyond limit: 0.5% fee
Plan costStandard: free | Premium: ~AED 35/mo | Metal: ~AED 90/mo
Walk-in branch (UAE)✗ Digital only
Cash pickup (recipient)✓ Some corridors
Travel card✓ UAE debit card
Multi-currency account✓ 30+ currencies

Verify current plan costs and fees in the Revolut app — subject to change. Last reviewed June 2026.

CBUAE Licensing

Revolut has received approval from the Central Bank of UAE (CBUAE) for:

  • Stored Value Facility (SVF) — regulated digital wallet, authorised to hold UAE resident funds
  • Retail Payment Services Category II — authorised to process retail payments and money transfers
Full licensing details: Is Revolut licensed in UAE? →

How Revolut Works in UAE

UAE residents can download the Revolut app (iOS or Android), complete identity verification, and open an AED account. The account comes with a UAE debit card for local and international spending.

For international money transfers, Revolut applies the mid-market exchange rate on weekdays within your plan's monthly fair usage limit. If you exceed the limit or transfer on weekends, a 1.5% markup applies. This is an important cost to check if you send money regularly.

Revolut's value proposition for UAE users is broader than pure remittance: multi-currency wallet, international travel card, and an AED account in one app. For workers primarily sending money home each month, dedicated remittance providers (Wise, Al Ansari, Remitly) may offer lower total transfer cost depending on the corridor and amount.

Revolut Rate Data — Status

Data pending. remit.ae does not currently collect live Revolut exchange rate quotes in its comparison database. Revolut rates are subject to plan type, daily FX limits, and weekend markups. To see Revolut's current rate for your transfer, open the Revolut app directly. Compare against verified provider rates on remit.ae for your corridor.

How we collect rate data →

Revolut vs Other UAE Providers

Revolut for Specific Corridors

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Revolut available and licensed in UAE?

Yes. Revolut is available in UAE and is licensed by the Central Bank of UAE (CBUAE) for Stored Value Facilities (SVF) and Retail Payment Services Category II. UAE residents can download the Revolut app and open an AED account. Verify current licensing status at centralbank.ae.

What are Revolut UAE plan costs in 2026?

Revolut UAE plans in 2026: Standard (free) with limited fee-free FX and weekend FX markup; Premium (~AED 35/month) with higher FX limits and travel benefits; Metal (~AED 90/month) with highest limits and premium card. Prices change — verify current plan costs in the Revolut app.

Does Revolut charge a fee for international transfers from UAE?

Revolut applies a fair usage FX limit per month. Within the limit (weekdays): no fee, mid-market rate. Beyond the limit or on weekends: a 1.5% FX markup applies. International transfer fees may also apply depending on destination and plan. Always verify total cost in the Revolut app before sending. Compare with Wise and Remitly at remit.ae.

Can I use Revolut for AED to INR transfers from UAE?

Yes. Revolut supports AED to INR transfers from UAE. The exchange rate depends on your plan, the day (weekday vs weekend), and whether you have exceeded your monthly FX limit. For the best AED to INR rate on any given day, compare Revolut vs Wise vs Al Ansari at remit.ae/aed-to-inr — the cheapest provider changes daily.

Is Revolut better than Wise for UAE users?

It depends on your needs. Wise: transparent per-transfer fee, mid-market rate, dedicated remittance service. Revolut: multi-currency AED account, travel card, broader banking features, but weekend FX markup and monthly limits apply. For pure AED money transfers to India, Pakistan, or Philippines, compare the total recipient amount at remit.ae for your exact transfer amount.

Compare all CBUAE-licensed providers

See current checked rates from Wise, Al Ansari, LuLu Exchange, Remitly and 12+ providers

remit.ae is an independent comparison platform not affiliated with Revolut. All information is for guidance only and may not reflect current prices or features. Verify all details in the Revolut app. See our methodology →