Credit Score in UAE: How AECB Works and How to Improve It

Quick answer

AECB is the official credit bureau in the UAE. Your credit score ranges from 300 to 900. You can pull a free credit report once per year from the AECB website or app. Factors that affect your score include payment history, credit utilization, length of credit history, and new credit applications. To improve your score in 2026, pay all bills on time, keep utilization below 30%, limit new applications, and check your report annually for errors.

How AECB Works

The Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB) collects credit data from banks, credit card issuers, telecom companies, and utility providers across the UAE. It assigns a score between 300 and 900 based on this data. Banks and lenders use this score to decide loan and credit card approvals, interest rates, and limits. The score itself is not released publicly but is available to licensed entities.

How to Pull Your Free Credit Report

Every UAE resident can request one free credit report per calendar year. Log into the AECB portal at www.aecb.gov.ae or use the AECB Connect mobile app. You must verify your Emirates ID and complete two-factor authentication. After verification, you receive a PDF report showing your score, credit accounts, and any negative marks. If you need additional reports, each extra report costs AED 100.

What Affects Your Credit Score

Payment history makes up the largest portion of your score. Late payments, bounced checks, or missed utility bills lower your score. Credit utilization, calculated as current balances divided by total limits, affects the score if it stays above 30%. New credit applications also impact the score; each hard inquiry stays on record for 12 months.

Payment history

Any payment missed by 30 days or more appears on your report. Missed car loans, personal loans, credit cards, and utility bills all lower the score. Once a payment is recorded as delinquent, it remains visible for five years.

Credit utilization

Keep balances on credit cards and personal overdrafts under 30% of their limits. High utilization signals risk to lenders. Pay down balances before the statement date to reduce reported utilization.

Length of credit history

The longer you maintain active accounts without delinquencies, the higher your score tends to be. New arrivals to the UAE often have lower scores because they have fewer years of credit data.

New credit applications

Multiple applications for loans or credit cards in a short period trigger hard inquiries. Each inquiry lowers the score by 10-20 points temporarily. Spread applications over 12 months to avoid stacking inquiries.

How to Improve Your Score in 2026

Pay every bill on time. Set up salary transfer standing orders or automatic payments through banking apps such as Emirates NBD SmartBanking or FAB Mobile. Use the UAE Pass app to receive reminders for utility bills from DEWA, ADDC, and Etisalat.

Keep credit utilization below 30%. If you have several credit cards, focus on paying off the smallest balances first or consolidate debt into a 0% introductory balance transfer card if available.

Limit new credit applications. Only apply for new credit when genuinely needed. Before applying, use the AECB Connect app to simulate your score impact.

Dispute errors on your report. Log into AECB Connect and submit disputes for incorrect late payments or closed accounts still showing active. AECB forwards your dispute to the creditor who must respond within 30 days.

Build positive credit history. Take a secured credit card if your score is below 500. Make small purchases and pay them off monthly. Keep old accounts open unless they carry high fees.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Closing old credit accounts removes positive history. Many residents close cards upon leaving the UAE, leaving a gap in their score. Closing accounts before securing a new loan can also cause sudden score drops.

Ignoring utility bills and telecom charges. Etisalat, du, and DEWA data feed directly into AECB. A single missed payment on a 200 dirham bill can drop your score by 30-50 points.

Co-signing loans or credit cards. If your co borrower fails to pay, you appear as a defaulter on your report. Only co-sign when you have full control and trust.

FAQs

How long do negative marks stay on my AECB report?

Delinquencies stay visible for five years. Hard inquiries remain for 12 months. Closed positive accounts remain on the report indefinitely.

Can I check my score daily?

No. The free annual report includes your score. Extra reports cost AED 100 each. Some banks like Mashreq and RAKBANK show estimated scores inside their mobile apps.

Does renting an apartment affect my score?

No. Rent payments do not report to AECB unless you have a guarantee letter from a bank or use a credit-based rental platform.

Can I improve my score quickly in 2026?

Payment history and utilization can produce noticeable improvements in 30-60 days. Length of history takes months or months to months to build. Multiple inquiries require 12 months to fall off.

Is my score affected if I leave the UAE?

Yes. Leaving without settling all debts keeps negative marks on your report for five years. Many banks block re-entry until debts are settled.

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