Revolut is one of the most popular money apps in the world, with more than 75 million customers. If you live in the UAE, are moving there or are visiting, you may wonder whether you can use it. In this article we explain where Revolut stands in the UAE in 2026, when it may launch, whether tourists can use their Revolut card and which alternatives you can use today.
Is Revolut available in the UAE?
Not yet, but it is close. On 17 June 2026 Revolut received its Stored Value Facilities (SVF) licence and its Retail Payment Services (Category II) licence from the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), after an in-principle approval in September 2025. With these licences Revolut completed its regulatory process for payments in the UAE and can prepare its full launch. As of September 2026, Revolut is still preparing its UAE product and has not opened accounts to the public.
Until the launch, UAE residents cannot open a Revolut account from the UAE. If you already have a Revolut account in another country and move to the UAE, updating your address to a UAE one may lead to your account being closed, because your account is tied to the Revolut entity of your country of residence. Check Revolut’s list of supported countries before you move.
What will Revolut offer in the UAE?
According to Revolut, once live in the UAE it will let customers:
- hold and manage multiple currencies in one app,
- pay with physical and virtual cards,
- send money locally and internationally.
Revolut also received in-principle approval from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) in July 2026 to offer crypto services, which would allow it to add crypto trading in the UAE once it gets the final licence. The UAE business is led by Ambareen Musa, Revolut’s GCC CEO and founder of the comparison site Souqalmal.
When is Revolut launching in the UAE?
Revolut has not announced a public launch date. After receiving its CBUAE licences in June 2026, the company said it was adapting its platform to the UAE market and completing its operational preparations ahead of the launch. We will update this article as soon as Revolut opens in the UAE.
Can tourists use Revolut in the UAE?
Yes. If you opened your Revolut account in a supported country, such as the UK or an EU country, you can use your Revolut card to pay and withdraw cash while visiting the UAE. Revolut’s normal conditions for foreign spending and ATM withdrawals under your plan apply, and currency exchange may cost more at weekends.
Alternatives to Revolut in the UAE
Until Revolut launches, these options offer similar features to UAE residents:
Wise: an account to hold and convert money in many currencies at the mid-market rate with a transparent fee, and a card to spend abroad. It is the closest alternative to Revolut for international transfers and multi-currency spending.
Liv: the digital bank of Emirates NBD, with an app-based account, cards and money transfers.
Mashreq Neo: the digital bank of Mashreq, with account opening in the app and international transfers.
ADCB Hayyak: the digital account opening service of Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank.
Traditional banks: banks such as HSBC UAE offer digital banking and international transfers, usually with higher fees than Wise.
FAQs
Is Revolut licensed in the UAE?
Yes. Revolut received its Stored Value Facilities and Retail Payment Services (Category II) licences from the Central Bank of the UAE in June 2026, and in-principle approval from VARA for crypto services in July 2026.
Can I open a Revolut account in Dubai?
Not yet. Revolut has its licences but, as of September 2026, has not launched its UAE service to the public.
Can I use my Revolut card in Dubai?
Yes. If your account was opened in a supported country, your Revolut card works in Dubai and the rest of the UAE.
Pedro is passionate about finance, marketing, and technology. He is a growth manager at several online projects and a former digital marketer for a fintech company.
