UAE Remittance Cost Calculator

The defaults are 2026 typical figures. Real fees change frequently — Wise quotes per transfer based on amount and route; bank wire fees vary by destination; exchange-house margins shift daily. Always edit the rows to match your actual quote. Use this calculator as a comparison framework, not as a fee directory.

Western Union bundles a higher FX margin (typically 3-5%) into the displayed rate. The explicit fee looks small (~AED 25), but the FX spread on a AED 5,000 transfer adds AED 150-250 of hidden cost. It pays for instant cash pickup at the destination — fast, expensive.

For most routes from UAE to OECD countries (UK, EU, US, Australia, Canada), Wise is consistently the cheapest because the FX margin is 0.4-0.7%. For routes to India, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh — where exchange houses have high-volume routes — Lulu or Al Ansari can sometimes beat Wise on small amounts. Run your specific numbers.

Almost always one larger transfer is cheaper, because the fixed fee is amortised over more AED. If you must remit monthly for family support, time the transfers when mid-market rate is favourable rather than always on payday — a 1% rate swing matters more than a fee difference.

No personal income tax in UAE, no remittance tax. The destination country may have rules — India's RBI tracks remittances above thresholds for source verification; some EU countries require declarations above EUR 10,000 equivalent. Check the receiving country's rules if amounts are large.