UAE Dirham · د.إ · Official currency of the United Arab Emirates
The UAE dirham (د.إ) was introduced in 1973 following the formation of the United Arab Emirates, unifying the different currencies previously used by each emirate. Its name derives from the ancient Greek drachma.
Eight denominations circulate: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1,000 dirhams, featuring landmarks from major cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi on the front.
Major cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi have very well-developed card and mobile payment infrastructure, making it easy to get around without cash. That said, cash is still common for haggling at small stalls and traditional souks, so it's useful to keep some small bills. The dirham is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed rate, so exchange rate risk is relatively low.
You can view the real banknote designs on the Central Bank of the UAE's official page.
See UAE Dirham banknotes at today's exchange rate →