Zero Balance Accounts in UAE

Zero Balance  in UAE

Things to check before getting a zero balance account

  • Account with zero maintenance charge
  • No initial deposit requirement
  • No monthly transactions requirement
  • No/Low minimum salary criterion
  • New-to-bank customers are allowed to open an account

Even though cash is considered as king, idle cash in the wallet is not recommended when there are several banks providing some interest rate on the cash. But this little profit comes with charges when you don’t maintain a minimum balance in the account. Banks charges some fees on non-maintenance of the minimum balance in the account. Not all the banks charge fees, there are few banks that provide Zero Balance accounts in UAE.

Comparing Zero Balance Accounts

Comparing Zero Balance Account

Account ADIB ADIB Smart Account CBD bank img CBD E-Saver Account Emirates NBD Liv Account img Emirates NBD Liv Account HSBC eSaver Account img HSBC eSaver Account RAKBank Fast Saver Account img RAKBank Fast Saver Account FAB Isave Account img FAB iSave Account MashreqMashreq Happiness Account
No Maintenance Charges
No Initial deposit
No Minimum transactions per month
No Minimum Salary Required
Max Interest Rate(p.a.)
No need of existing account
Can be applied Online? Yes Yes Yes Yes No
More Details
Yes Yes

adib zero balance account ADIB Smart Account

No Maintenance Charges
Max Interest Rate up to 1.6%
No Initial deposit
No Minimum transactions per month
No Minimum Salary Required
No need of existing account
Can be applied Online?

cbd zero balance account CBD E-Saver Account

No Maintenance Charges
Max Interest Rate up to 1.5%
No Initial deposit
No Minimum transactions per month
Minimum Salary Required
Must have an existing account
Can be applied Online?

emi zero balance account Emirates NBD Liv Account

No Maintenance Charges
Max Interest Rate up to 2.0%
No Initial deposit
Minimum transaction is required (p.m)
No Minimum Salary Required
No need of existing account
Can be applied Online?

rak bank zero balance account RAKBank Fast Saver Account

No Maintenance Charges
Max Interest Rate up to 1.75%
No Initial deposit
No Minimum transactions per month
No Minimum Salary Required
Must have an existing account
Can't be applied Online

hsbc zero balance account HSBC eSaver Account

No Maintenance Charges
Max Interest Rate up to 1.2%
Initial deposit required
No Minimum transactions per month
Minimum Salary Required
No need of existing account
Can be applied Online?

cbd zero balance accountFAB iSave Account

No Maintenance Charges
Max Interest Rate up to 3.0%
No Initial deposit
No Minimum transactions per month
No Minimum Salary Required
No Need of existing account
Can be applied Online?

hsbc zero balance accountMashreq Happiness Account

No Maintenance Charges
No Max Interest Rate
No Initial deposit
No Minimum transactions per month
Minimum Salary Required
No need of existing account
Can be applied Online?
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Key Features of Zero Balance Accounts in UAE

ADIB Smart Banking Account

Key Features

  • Instant online account opening facility
  • Free debit card is provided
  • 0 charges on non-maintenance of minimum balance in the account
  • No charges on withdrawing cash from ADIB ATMs in UAE
  • Earn profit on every AED present in the account
  • Even non-income based individuals (housewives) are eligible
  • Can get discounts on dining, shopping, etc
  • Can avail one free transfer per month

To be aware of

  • Applicant must be 18-24 yrs student or should have a minimum salary of AED 5000 or applicants with housewife status are eligible

CBD Esaver Account

Key Features

  • No charges on not maintaining a minimum balance in the account
  • No minimum balance requirement
  • Can get up to 1.5% profit rate
  • Can open the account instantly through CBD online banking account
  • Can get a maximum of three debits every month

To be aware of

  • Should be an existing CBD customer
  • Minimum salary of AED 5000 is required
  • More than 3 debits (pm) will lose interest rate

Emirates NBD Liv Account

Key Features

  • Instant account opening using Liv app
  • Profit rate 2% is provided
  • Debit card is provided for free
  • Get high discounts on dining, entertainment & leisure
  • Manage account easily using Liv app
  • No account maintenance charges

To be aware of

  • Monthly average balance should be minimum AED 2500 (or) should transfer salary of AED 4000 (or) minimum AED 1000(p.m) should be spent on the account

HSBC Esaver Account

Key Features

  • Can avail online banking facility
  • No account maintenance charges
  • Profit rate of 1.5% is provided

To be aware of

  • Balance in the account should not be zero for 3 consecutive months
  • Minimum salary of AED 7500 is required

RAK Bank Fast Saver Account

Key Features

  • No account maintenance charges
  • Per month 5 Utility payments or 1 withdrawal is allowed
  • Profit rate of 1.75%(per annum) is provided

To be aware of

  • Cannot open an account online
  • Must be an existing RAKBank customer

FAB iSave Account

Key Features

  • The profit rate of 3%(per annum) is provided
  • No charges to open the account
  • No monthly maintenance fees
  • No limitations to withdraw money from the account

To be aware of

  • Only existing FAB account holders can avail instant account opening
  • No debit card is provided

Mashreq Happiness Account

Key Features

  • Get Upto AED 2000 as Welcome Bonus
  • No monthly fee or minimum balance is required
  • No charges on International online transfers
  • Earn AED 25 worth Salaam Points on 5 online transactions per month

To be aware of

  • No minimum balance is required on the transfer of AED 10,000 salary
Pyypl Prepaid Digital Card

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are there any additional charges levied on opening the account online?

A: You can open a zero balance account online on no charges involved.

Q: What is the minimum initial amount to be deposited?

A: The minimum initial deposit varies with each bank which starts from AED 1 and there are banks with no requirement of initial deposit.

Q: What is the processing fee for 0 balance account opening in UAE?

A: There are no processing fees to open a 0 balance account in UAE.

Q: Are there any charges on account closure?

A: Yes, banks charge some fees if you are closing your account within one year of activation.

Q: Do I get notified on my transactions?

A: Yes, you can get SMS alerts on each and every transaction made.

Q: Are there any charges levied on ATM withdrawals?

A: There are no charges if you withdraw from the same bank ATM.

Q: Are interest rates provided at all the banks?

A: No, few banks in UAE doesn’t provide interest on the zero balance accounts.

Q: Can I avail zero balance account services on international purchases?

A: Yes, you can get make international purchases using your money in the zero balance account.

Q: What are the charges to get a statement of account?

A: The charges on the statement of account starts from AED 25 which varies with each bank. Few banks provide the statement of account for free.

Q: Are Non-Residents eligible to open a zero balance account?

A: No, only UAE Residents with a valid Emirates ID are eligible to get a zero balance account in UAE.

Q: Are minors eligible to get a zero balance account?

A:No, the account holder must be 18 years old to apply for a zero balance account.

Q: On what basis the interest rates are calculated?

A: The interest rates are calculated on the balance maintained in the account.

Q: Can I use the free debit card provided, outside UAE?

A: Yes, debit card can be used outside UAE but foreign transaction fees are added.