Compare Fixed-Rate Deposits in United Arab Emirates

Live offers

24 live offers compared from 18 providers, from AED 3.25. Updated daily.

What is a fixed deposit in the UAE?

A fixed deposit, or term deposit, locks a sum of money away for an agreed period in exchange for a higher, guaranteed return than an everyday account pays. In the UAE they are popular with savers and expatriates parking end-of-service gratuity, a bonus or a house deposit while they decide what to do next. Islamic banks offer a profit-based equivalent, structured as wakala or mudarabah deposits, that delivers a comparable expected return without conventional interest, giving savers a Sharia-compliant choice.

How the UAE market works

Banks licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE offer deposits across terms ranging from one month to several years, with rates that broadly track EIBOR and US Federal Reserve policy, since the dirham is pegged to the US dollar. Rates are typically fixed for the chosen term, and larger balances or longer tenors can attract better rates. Both conventional interest-bearing deposits and Sharia-compliant profit-rate deposits are widely available, and many banks let you open one entirely through their app.

Benefits of a fixed deposit

Guaranteed return — The rate is agreed upfront and does not change during the term, whatever markets do.

Higher than current accounts — Locking money away earns noticeably more than leaving it in an everyday balance.

Islamic options — Wakala and mudarabah deposits deliver an expected profit rate without conventional interest.

How to choose

Balance the rate on offer against how long you can realistically lock the money away, since early withdrawal usually reduces or forfeits the return. Compare rates across different terms and minimum deposit sizes, check whether interest is paid monthly or only at maturity, and read the early-breakage terms so you understand the penalty for accessing funds sooner. Then decide between a conventional interest structure and an Islamic profit-rate deposit.

Leading providers in the UAE

Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Mashreq, RAKBank, Standard Chartered and Commercial Bank of Dubai offer conventional term deposits, while ADIB and Sharjah Islamic Bank provide Sharia-compliant deposit products. Advertised rates move with the wider interest-rate environment, so compare current live offers across banks rather than relying on last year's headline figures.

What it costs

Fixed-deposit rates in the UAE have recently ranged from roughly 3.25% to 5.25% per year, depending on the term, the deposit size and the bank. There is normally no fee to open a deposit, so the main cost to weigh is opportunity cost: breaking the deposit early typically reduces or forfeits the interest earned, so only commit money you are confident you can leave untouched for the term.

Protections and regulation

The CBUAE licenses and supervises banks and sets conduct standards on disclosure and fair treatment. Importantly, the UAE does not operate a statutory deposit-guarantee scheme comparable to those in some other countries, so protection rests on the regulator's oversight and the financial strength of the bank itself. Choosing a well-established, licensed institution and reading the deposit terms in full mitigates that risk.

Common questions

Can I withdraw early? — Usually yes, but you will typically lose some or all of the interest earned.

Are returns guaranteed? — Conventional rates are fixed for the term; Islamic deposits quote an expected profit rate.

Is my deposit insured? — There is no statutory deposit-insurance scheme, so stick to established licensed banks.

Fixed-Rate Deposits in United Arab Emirates — FAQ