No. For a 15-year goal, a Global ETF is generally better for higher growth. ‘My Million’ is safer and structured but offers lower, steady returns. ETFs, meanwhile, provide higher long-term returns with market risk.
National Bonds UAE 2026: Complete Guide to Returns, Benefits, Calculator & How to Invest
National Bonds UAE is a government-backed, Sharia-compliant savings and investment platform owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD). As of 2026, it remains the UAE's premier low-risk savings vehicle, boasting over AED 18 billion in assets and serving more than 1 million bondholders.
4.7/5
43,419
ReviewsCentral Bank UAE Registration No.: - 123
35+
Insurance Partners
2 Million+
Trusted Customers
1 Million+
Policies Sold
Invest Just AED 2K/Month
Get AED 1 Million Returns*
Get AED 1 Million Returns*
Monthly Income (Dirhams)
1k - 3k
3k - 5k
5k - 8k
8k - 10k
10k - 15k
15k - 20k
20k+
Top Investment Plans in UAE
Some of the best Investment quotes in UAE & Dubai are:
Past 10 Yrs Returns8%
Lump Sum PayoutAED 684,202
Past 10 Yrs Returns6%
Lump Sum PayoutAED 613,274
Past 10 Yrs Returns4.5%
Lump Sum PayoutAED 564,646
Past 10 Yrs Returns4.5%
Lump Sum PayoutAED 564,646
Past 10 Yrs Returns4.35%
Lump Sum PayoutAED 560,016
So What is National Bonds UAE, Really?
National Bonds is a savings company that takes your money, invests it on your behalf in a Sharia-compliant portfolio, and shares the profits with you under a Mudarabah agreement.
Mudarabah is a partnership in Islamic finance. You put in capital, and they call you the rab al-mal. The company invests and manages it, they're the mudarib. Profits get split per a pre-agreed ratio. Losses, if any happen, fall on the capital provider; the manager loses their effort but not their money. National Bonds plays the manager role. You play the capital provider.
What the company invests in is a mix you'd recognise from any conservative balanced fund: real estate, sukuk, Sharia-screened equities, money-market instruments, and a few alternatives. Nothing in alcohol, gambling, conventional banking, weapons — all the usual exclusions. An independent Shariah Supervisory Board signs off on what's allowed.
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Two Important Things to Understand about National Bonds UAE
1. There’s no fixed interest rate
What you get is a profit share, declared annually based on portfolio performance. The 4.45% paid for 2025 reflects actual returns. Future returns may go up or down.
2. Principal isn’t formally guaranteed
While the structure focuses on capital preservation and has strong institutional backing, there is no explicit guarantee. If you need guaranteed capital protection, a fixed deposit is structurally safer.
When people say National Bonds is ‘government-backed’, they are referring to ownership via ICD, not a sovereign guarantee.
What UAE National Bonds Good at, and Where Does it Fall Short?
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
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How to Manage Your National Bonds UAE Account?
- Use the app for holdings, profits, and transactions
- Web portal is also available
- Customer support:
- UAE: 600 522 279
- Abroad: +971 4 384 8000
Lost certificates can be reissued, though most records are digital.
How to Redeem UAE National Bonds?
Follow this process to redeem your National Bonds in UAE: App → Select → Redeem → Confirm —
- Withdraw funds from your National Bonds holdings, after the initial holding period.
- Check the initial holding period has passed: 30 days for cash and cheque purchases; 90 days for credit-card purchases.
- Open the NBC Pocket app or NBC Online portal. Log in using your registered ID, biometric, or password.
- Select the holding to redeem. Choose the bond product and the amount you want to redeem.
- Choose a redemption method. Up to AED 25,000 can be redeemed instantly through the app or at select Al Ansari Exchange branches. Larger amounts move via bank transfer in 1–3 working days.
- Confirm and receive funds. Confirm the request. Funds will be credited to your linked bank account in the timeframe shown for your chosen method.
Fees
- Savings Bonds: No subscription fee
- Structured plans: May include deferred fees
- Trustee fee (~1%) is already included in returns
The Rewards Programme of UAE National Bonds
- AED 36 million annual pool
- Monthly and quarterly draws
- Top prizes include AED 1 million and luxury cars
How it works: Every AED 100 = one entry
Tier System
- Bronze: AED 50,000
- Silver: AED 150,000
- Gold: AED 350,000
Prizes are not guaranteed.
AI Prompts user are searching in UAE
Created with AI. Errors are possible
Is the 'My Million' plan better than a standard Global ETF for a 15-year education fund for my child?
How is National Bonds different from fixed deposits in UAE?
National Bonds are profit-based (not fixed), variable returns, reward draws, and Sharia-compliant. Fixed Deposits offer fixed interest and guaranteed returns, but no rewards. National Bonds offer more flexibility, but FDs offer certainty.
Are National Bonds halal and Sharia-compliant?
Yes. They are 100% Sharia-compliant. They operate on a Mudarabah model, which is a profit-sharing partnership rather than an interest-based loan (Riba). A Sharia Supervisory Board oversees all investments to ensure they exclude industries like gambling, alcohol, or conventional banking.
How does the booster plan (12% / 17%) actually work?
These are cumulative anticipated returns over a fixed period:
- Booster 12: Targets a total of 12% profit over 3 years (averaging ~4% per year)
- Booster 17: Targets a total of 17% profit over 4 years (averaging ~4.25% per year)
- Payout: Profits are typically distributed quarterly, while the principal is returned at the end of the term
Do National Bonds guarantee returns or are they variable?
National Bonds do not guarantee returns. Since they are Sharia-compliant, the returns are based on the performance of the investment pool (variable). However, they aim for an ‘anticipated’ rate and historically offer high stability. The principal (capital) is protected as per the fatwa, meaning they aim to return your original investment amount.
Can I earn monthly income from National Bonds UAE?
Yes, you can earn a monthly income through Term Sukuk, which offers 3, 6, 9, or 12-month terms with monthly profit payouts. There is also a Second Salary plan, where you save for a set period (3–10 years) and then receive a monthly payout (principal + profit) for a duration of your choice.
Are there any hidden fees or 'profit clawbacks' if I withdraw my money from a 2-year Booster plan after only 6 months?
Not hidden, but early exit reduces returns and adds fees: ~2% fee if redeemed in Year 1 and ~1.5% in Years 2–3. Also, profits are recalculated based on the actual holding period.
Which exchange houses in Dubai allow instant cash redemption of National Bonds without a prior appointment?
Instant redemption is available via selected branches of Al Ansari Exchange and Al Fardan Exchange. You generate a code online and collect cash at these outlets (subject to limits and small fees).
What is the UAE National Bonds interest rate?
National Bonds doesn't pay interest. It pays a profit share under a Sharia-compliant Mudarabah structure. The declared profit for 2025 was 4.45%, distributed in early 2026. Historically, declared rates on the standard Savings Bonds product have moved between roughly 2.5% and 5%.
What are National Bonds UAE benefits?
National Bonds is a Sharia-compliant savings and investment company owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD). It offers savings certificates that earn a profit share rather than fixed interest, plus eligibility for an AED 36 million annual rewards programme.
Does the UAE issue government bonds?
Yes, the UAE Federal Government issues Treasury Bonds (T-Bonds) in AED through the Ministry of Finance. These are separate from National Bonds, which is a Sharia-compliant savings company, not a sovereign debt issuer.
Are National Bonds safe in the UAE?
Yes, National Bonds Corporation is regulated by the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority. The system is audited by the Dubai Government Financial Audit Authority and overseen by an independent Shariah Supervisory Board. The institutional setup is robust. Capital is not formally guaranteed, the company's own factsheet states there is no explicit or implied guarantee, even though the focus is capital preservation.
Can foreigners and non-residents buy UAE National Bonds?
Yes. Both UAE residents and non-residents can hold National Bonds. Non-residents need a passport copy and a UAE visit visa or entry stamp to open an account. Once opened, the account can be managed from anywhere through the app or web portal.
Can I withdraw from National Bonds?
Yes, after the initial holding period. For cash and cheque purchases, the holding period is 30 days. For credit-card purchases, it's 90 days. After that you can redeem up to AED 25,000 instantly through the app or at select Al Ansari Exchange branches. Note that larger amounts move via bank transfer in 1–3 working days.
Is National Bonds halal?
Yes. National Bonds operates under Islamic finance principles, with all products screened and approved by an independent Shari'a Supervisory Board. There is no riba (interest) and no exposure to prohibited sectors.
Who should invest in National Bonds?
Conservative savers, Sharia-conscious investors, expats earning in AED who want a savings vehicle they can keep after leaving the UAE, parents building education funds, and beginners starting small. It works less well as a high-growth investment or as a primary emergency-cash account.
Is National Bonds Better Than Fixed Deposits?
Different shapes. FDs offer guaranteed yield and capital protection, while National Bonds offers more flexibility, the rewards programme, and Sharia compliance, with variable returns and no formal capital guarantee. For 2025, declared profits were comparable to top FD rates.
Can expats invest in National Bonds?
Yes. Onboarding is fully digital via UAE Pass for residents, or with passport-and-visa documentation otherwise. Expats can continue holding and managing bonds even after leaving the UAE.
What's the minimum investment in National Bonds?
AED 100 for the standard Savings Bonds and myPlan products. Some structured plans (Booster, Term Sukuk, EIBOR Plus, USD Certificates) carry higher minimums starting at AED 10,000 or USD 5,000.
Where can I buy National Bonds in the UAE?
Through the NBC Pocket app, the official website at nationalbonds.ae, 500+ partner outlets including Al Ansari Exchange branches, partner banks, and Emirates Post offices.
When do you receive your bond certificate?
Instantly for cash and card purchases (digital certificate via the app). Cheque-based purchases take 5–7 working days for the certificate to issue, while the cheque clears.
Is the National Bonds prize money guaranteed?
No. Prize draws are by chance, conducted under regulator-supervised procedures. Holding more bonds and holding them longer increases your number of entries, but no specific draw outcome is guaranteed.
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