Currency in the UAE – The Dirham (AED)
What currency should you take to the United Arab Emirates? What’s the currency in Dubai?
The official currency of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the UAE Dirham, abbreviated as AED.
A Brief History of the UAE Dirham
The UAE Dirham (AED) was introduced on May 19, 1973, replacing the Qatari riyal, which had been in use across most of the Emirates since 1966. The exception was Abu Dhabi, where the dirham replaced the Bahraini dinar, with an exchange rate of 1 dirham = 1/10 dinar.
Key Information About the UAE Dirham
If you're planning a trip to the United Arab Emirates, it's important to familiarize yourself with the local currency.
How is the Dirham divided?
The dirham is subdivided into 100 fils. Banknotes currently in circulation include denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1000 dirhams, while coins are available in 1 dirham and 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 fils.
To see what the UAE dirham banknotes look like, visit the "Banknotes" section of our website.
Unique Features of UAE Dirham Banknotes
Each banknote showcases a different theme reflecting the rich cultural and architectural heritage of the UAE. Key features include:
- Bilingual text: Arabic on the front, English on the back
- Local symbolism: Designs often feature iconic elements of Emirati culture, such as falcons, traditional architecture, and natural landscapes
- Security features: Holograms, watermarks, and tactile markings to assist the visually impaired
For more useful tips, check out our article: "Which currency should you bring to Dubai?"
Exchange Rates – UAE Dirham (AED)
To find the current exchange rate for the UAE dirham, use the currency calculator at the top of the page, or check the "Currencies" tab or the currency chart section.
You can follow the live AED rate in the "Currencies" tab or visit our live exchange charts page.
How much is one UAE dirham worth?
What’s the exchange rate between AED and GBP (Pounds)? Simply enter the amount you'd like to convert into the currency calculator above to find the latest rates.