UAE Dirham Notes: Key Facts, Information, and Safety Tips

The UAE Dirham is the official currency of the United Arab Emirates, and it's essential to understand the basics before traveling to the country.

The UAE Dirham comes in various denominations, including AED 5, AED 10, AED 20, AED 50, AED 100, AED 200, AED 500, and AED 1,000 notes. These notes are designed to be easily recognizable, with distinct colors and security features.

You can exchange your currency for UAE Dirhams at airports, banks, and currency exchange offices, or withdraw cash from ATMs using your debit or credit card. Be aware that some businesses may not accept credit cards, so it's a good idea to have some cash on hand.

It's also a good idea to have some smaller denomination notes, such as AED 5 and AED 10, for small purchases and tips.

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The new UAE currency has been making waves, and for good reason. A new high-denomination note with a face value of 1,000 dirhams, equivalent to $272.25, was introduced on Dec. 2.

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The note is part of the UAE's 51st anniversary celebrations and will be available at central bank branches and in ATMs during the first half of 2023.

It's made from a polymer material, which is not only durable but also recyclable, making it a more sustainable option compared to traditional paper notes.

The new note features an image of the first president of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, next to a model of a NASA space shuttle.

This design element is inspired by a meeting between Sheikh Zayed and leaders of NASA in 1976, where he shared his ambitions to position the UAE among the pioneering explorers of space.

The UAE has indeed achieved this goal, as represented on the new bank note by the image of the "Emirates Mission to Explore Mars – the Hope Probe" at the top of the note.

This showcases the UAE's unique global position in space science and industry, and it's reflected in the image of an astronaut added as a security mark on both sides of the note.

The astronaut image signifies the arrival of the first Emirati astronaut into space, highlighting the country's achievements in space exploration.

The new note also features fluorescent blue markings emblematic of the emirates in the center, as well as drawings and inscriptions using advanced intaglio printing.

Furthermore, the central bank claims to be the first in the region to apply a large multicolored foil stripe to the surface of the note, adding an extra layer of security and visual interest.

The 1,000-dirham note will remain legal tender and in circulation, with the new polymer note being the fourth in the bank's third series of notes.

The UAE Dirham is the official currency of the United Arab Emirates.

It's divided into 100 smaller units called fils, but you'll rarely see these used in everyday transactions.

The UAE Dirham is pegged to the US Dollar, which means its value is tied to the dollar's value on the foreign exchange market.

You can exchange your currency for UAE Dirhams at the airport, banks, or currency exchange offices.

The Dirham is available in various denominations, including AED 5, AED 10, AED 20, AED 50, AED 100, AED 200, AED 500, and AED 1,000.

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The UAE Dirham is the official currency of the United Arab Emirates, and it's issued by the Central Bank of the UAE.

The Dirham is divided into subunits, with the most common one being the Fils (فلس). This is a useful fact to know, especially when dealing with smaller transactions.

You'll often see the currency symbol DH, Dhs, or د.إ being used to represent the Dirham. This can be helpful when reading or writing amounts in the local currency.

Common banknotes in circulation include denominations of 5Dhs, 10Dhs, 50Dhs, 100 Dhs, 500Dhs, and 1,000Dhs.

The UAE dirham notes are a safe and secure way to make transactions. The country's polymer notes have been designed with advanced security features to prevent counterfeiting.

The new 1,000 dirham polymer banknote is a great example of this, featuring Spark Flow Dimension optical features developed by Koenig & Bauer. This is a first for a mainstream note globally.

The UAE notes also have the largest surface-applied, multi-colour Kinegram aluminium stripe in the Middle East and north Africa region. This stripe is 14mm wide and boasts sophisticated Kinegram Colors technology.

The foil's prominent width and advanced technology improve counterfeit resistance, making the notes safer to use.

The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) is still working on its journey to polymer banknotes. A 100 dirham note is expected to be introduced in the future.

The CBUAE is collecting data to measure the carbon footprint of the new banknotes accurately. This will help inform the central bank's sustainability efforts.

The CBUAE is taking a thoughtful approach to introducing new banknotes, prioritizing sustainability and accuracy.