Cheapest way to send money from the UAE to the Philippines

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…

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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 deposit, GCash, Maya and cash pickup
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 the Philippines

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

About this corridor

Filipinos in Dubai and Abu Dhabi work across hospitality, healthcare, retail and households. Most families receive into GCash, Maya or a BDO/BPI account; cash pickup at a pawnshop or remittance centre is still popular in the provinces.

Worked example: sending 2,000 AED

Using the ExchangeRate-API rate on 2026-10-08, 1 AED = 17.1024 PHP, our estimate model gives these results for sending 2,000 AED:

ProviderEst. feeEst. receivedTotal cost vs mid-market
Wise15.67 AED33,936.79 PHP268.04 PHP
Revolut6.00 AED33,931.70 PHP273.13 PHP
Remitly0.00 AED33,794.37 PHP410.46 PHP
Western Union18.36 AED33,212.97 PHP991.86 PHP
Bank wire (typical)73.45 AED32,124.94 PHP2,079.89 PHP

In this example Wise delivers roughly 1,811.85 PHP 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 the Philippines: what to know

  • Payout options: bank deposit, GCash, Maya and cash pickup.
  • GCash and cash pickup are popular for families outside major cities.
  • Cash pickup is convenient but often carries a worse rate than bank or e-wallet delivery.

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 the Philippines: Banks and e-money issuers are supervised by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). E-wallets have balance and monthly incoming limits that rise with full verification, so large amounts are better sent to a bank account.

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 the Philippines?

It depends on the amount and the day's pricing. This page calculates, at today's mid-market rate, how much PHP 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 1,811.85 PHP versus the cheapest option. Rates and pricing change daily.

How can my recipient in the Philippines receive the money?

Common payout options are bank deposit, GCash, Maya and cash pickup. 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