Banking
UAE — Banking: Credit History
Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), wholly owned by the UAE federal government, issues credit reports for both individuals and companies (nationals and residents), covering financial obligations, bills, and last reported salary over the past 3 years, drawing on data from banks, financial companies, telecom/utility providers, courts, and government entities. The AECB Credit Score ranges 300-900; a score above 700 is generally considered strong enough to qualify for a credit card and manage debt reliably. Reports are accessible via the AECB website/app using UAE Pass, with instant PDF delivery after paying the fee. As of 2026, AECB has expanded its registry to include court-imposed financial obligations (in partnership with the Ministry of Justice) and partnered with Nova Credit to let newcomers leverage home-country credit history when applying for UAE financial services.
Key facts
- AECB is the UAE's government-owned credit bureau, covering both individuals and companies.
- AECB Credit Score range: 300-900; scores above 700 are generally considered strong.
- Credit reports cover the past 3 years of financial obligations, bills, and salary data.
- 2026: AECB now includes court-imposed obligations and, via a Nova Credit partnership, lets newcomers use home-country credit history in UAE applications.
Required documents
- UAE Pass login (for self-service report access)
Common mistakes
- Assuming a UAE credit history starts from zero as a newcomer — the AECB/Nova Credit partnership can import home-country history for some applicants.