Cheapest way to send money from the UAE to Egypt

FXMetrics editorial team · Updated · How we calculate

The UAE hosts one of the world's largest expatriate workforces, and banks, exchange houses and apps all quote different rates on the same route, so the gap is worth checking every month. Below: what your recipient actually gets for 2,000 AED, at today's mid-market rate.

Loading today's mid-market rate…

ProviderRecipient getsTotal costSpeedSite

Mid-market rates from the European Central Bank (via the Frankfurter API); currencies the ECB does not cover use ExchangeRate-API. Provider fees and markups are estimates from public pricing; always check the final quote. Methodology · Share this result

Payout options
Bank accounts, InstaPay-linked accounts, mobile wallets such as Vodafone Cash, and cash pickup at banks and post offices
Typical speed
Minutes to 2 business days (digital); 2–5 business days (bank wire)
Regulation in the UAE
Licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE
Rate benchmark
ExchangeRate-API (not published by the ECB)

Who sends money from the UAE to Egypt

Common senders: construction, hospitality, retail and domestic workers, salaried professionals, and families who split their budget between the Gulf and home.

About this corridor

Egyptians in the UAE send money for family support, housing and savings. Bank deposit at major Egyptian banks and InstaPay-linked accounts are now quick, and mobile wallets like Vodafone Cash suit smaller amounts.

Worked example: sending 2,000 AED

Using the ExchangeRate-API rate on 2026-10-08, 1 AED = 14.2557 EGP, our estimate model gives these results for sending 2,000 AED:

ProviderEst. feeEst. receivedTotal cost vs mid-market
Wise15.67 AED28,288.02 EGP223.42 EGP
Revolut6.00 AED28,283.78 EGP227.66 EGP
Remitly0.00 AED28,169.30 EGP342.14 EGP
Western Union18.36 AED27,684.68 EGP826.76 EGP
Bank wire (typical)73.45 AED26,777.75 EGP1,733.69 EGP

In this example Wise delivers roughly 1,510.27 EGP more than a typical bank wire. Rates move daily and providers change pricing, so treat this as an illustration from our model; the live calculator above and the provider's own quote are what count. See how we estimate.

Sending to Egypt: what to know

  • Payout options: bank accounts, InstaPay-linked accounts, mobile wallets such as Vodafone Cash, and cash pickup at banks and post offices.
  • Delivery to accounts at National Bank of Egypt, Banque Misr and other large banks is widely supported.
  • Since the 2024 exchange-rate reform, formal channels have become much more competitive than informal ones.

Rules and limits

In the UAE: Banks and exchange houses that send money from the UAE are licensed and supervised by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE). You need a valid Emirates ID to send, and the UAE does not tax outgoing personal remittances.

In Egypt: Remittances are paid out through banks and payment providers supervised by the Central Bank of Egypt.

How to pick the cheapest option

  1. Compare the amount received, not the fee. "Zero fee" offers usually hide their cost in the rate. How markups work.
  2. Small amounts: watch fixed fees. Large amounts: watch the markup.
  3. Avoid intermediary deductions. SWIFT wires can lose $10–30 in transit. Why.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest way to send money from the UAE to Egypt?

It depends on the amount and the day's pricing. This page calculates, at today's mid-market rate, how much EGP each provider delivers for 2,000 AED; the top row is currently the cheapest by our estimate.

How much more does a bank wire cost for 2,000 AED?

Using the reference rate on 2026-10-08, our model puts the gap at about 1,510.27 EGP versus the cheapest option. Rates and pricing change daily.

How can my recipient in Egypt receive the money?

Common payout options are bank accounts, InstaPay-linked accounts, mobile wallets such as Vodafone Cash, and cash pickup at banks and post offices. Availability differs by provider, so check before you send.

How long does it take?

Digital services usually take minutes to 1–2 business days; bank wires often take 2–5 business days.

Sources

Official pages checked on