Most UAE banks do not charge to open a corporate account. The real cost is the minimum balance you must keep. Here is how the numbers actually work.
One of the most common questions founders ask is what it costs to open a business bank account in the UAE. The reassuring answer is that most banks do not charge an opening fee at all. The real cost is the minimum balance you need to keep in the account, and the fee some banks charge if you fall below it. Here is how it works.
What actually costs money
- Opening fee: usually none for a standard corporate account.
- Minimum (or average) balance: the amount you must keep in the account.
- Fall-below fee: a monthly charge some banks apply if your balance drops under the minimum.
- Optional advisory fee: if you use a consultancy to prepare and place the application.
Minimum balance by account type
The minimum balance is where banks differ most. Digital accounts are built for startups and keep it low or nil, while larger banks expect more. The table below shows the typical level, not an exact figure, because it varies by bank, product, and your profile.
| Account type | Example banks | Typical minimum balance | Opening fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital business account | Wio Business, Mashreq NeoBiz | Lower or none | Usually none |
| SME account | RAKBank | Lower to moderate | Usually none |
| Large / corporate bank | Emirates NBD, ADCB, FAB | Moderate to higher | Usually none |
| Islamic bank | ADIB, Emirates Islamic | Varies by product | Usually none |
Exact minimum-balance figures and any fall-below fees are set by each bank and change over time, so always confirm the current terms before you apply. A digital account like Wio or NeoBiz is usually the lowest-cost route for a new or small company.
How to keep the cost down
Choose an account whose minimum balance matches your real cash position, so you avoid fall-below fees. Start with a digital account if you are small and move to a larger bank as you grow. And apply once, to the right bank, with a complete file, so you are not paying in wasted weeks for a rejected application.
Tell us your company and expected balances, and we will recommend the most cost-effective account that is likely to approve you, then prepare and place the application.
Related Emirax services
Want this handled for you?
Emirax sets up companies, opens corporate bank accounts, and handles tax and PRO services across the UAE, end to end.
