How to buy stocks in the UAE from the UK

Considering buying stocks in the UAE? If you’re in the UK and relatively new to global investing, you might need a little help getting started.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of buying, selling and investing in UAE stocks from the UK.

This includes how to open an online trading account, and how to find and buy shares from the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) or the Dubai Financial Market (DFM). Plus, how you can calculate the cost.

We’ll also show you how to minimise fees or avoid them altogether, using a multi-currency solution such as Wise.

➡️ Learn more about the Wise account

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may be subject to future change. The content of this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice.

Investments in a currency other than GBP are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in GBP terms. You could lose money in GBP even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

How to invest in UAE stocks from the UK

There are a couple of ways you can invest in UAE stocks as a UK investor. You can buy shares directly via an online trading platform or broker, or you can invest in a professionally-managed investment fund. These include exchange-traded funds (EFTs) and investment trusts.

Here, we’ll be focusing on how to buy and sell shares in UAE companies directly, via one of the many popular online investment platforms available in the UK.

Buying shares in a UAE company from the UK

It’s relatively easy to buy shares in the UK. You don’t need a broker (although you can use one if you want, for a fee), as you can do everything online.

All you need to do is choose an online investment platform and create an account, then search for the company in the UAE you want to buy shares in.

You can usually open a trading account in just a few simple steps, although there can be identity verification processes to complete.

How to buy UAE shares in the UK: step-by-step

Let’s run through the steps involved in buying shares in a UAE company as a UK-based investor.

1. Open an online share trading account

There are lots of investment platforms available in the UK, but many focus on the US stock market and other major global markets - and not all offer trading in UAE stocks.

Two that definitely do are eToro and Interactive Brokers, so these could be worth checking out.

Once you’ve chosen the right platform for you, the next step is to open an account online. You’ll usually need to:

• Provide and verify your email address
• Complete a profile with your personal details
• Upload proof of ID as part of Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements
• Link a bank account and deposit funds, ready to invest.

You’ll also need to choose an account type - the main options are usually a general investment account (GIA) or a Stocks & Shares ISA.

2. Get a DFM Investor Number (NIN)

If you want to trade stocks on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM), then you’ll need what is known as a DFM Investor Number (NIN). Your chosen platform or broker should help you to set this up.

3. Check the costs

Before you start trading, you need to understand the costs.

Your chosen trading platform will tell you how much your shares will cost, but you also need to factor in fees and currency conversion costs. Platforms may also charge annual fees or per-transaction commission fees for trading.

Your British pounds (GBP) may also need to be converted to United Arab Emirates dirhams (AED) - and back again. This usually means foreign currency fees.

To give you an idea of these costs, here are the fees charged by the two platforms that offer UAE trading:

Note: All above investment platform fees were correct as of 4th March 2026.

As you can see, fees can vary considerably between platforms, which is why it pays to do your research. If you’re trading on global markets, foreign exchange fees in particular can soon start eating into your return. To avoid these, it could be a good idea to use a Wise account.

With Wise, you can open an AED account and hold your money until you’re ready to buy (or sell). Then you can trade directly in AED on your chosen investment platform.

When you need to convert money to GBP or into AED, you can take advantage of Wise’s low fees and the mid-market exchange rate.

Read more: How to avoid hidden fees when funding your global portfolio

4. Decide which UAE shares to purchase

The last step is to decide which UAE shares to purchase, and then place the order. You might want to get some professional advice on which company to invest in, based on a well thought-out investment strategy.

Selling or trading shares in a UAE company from the UK

Now we come to the steps involved in selling UAE shares from the UK.

1. Open a share trading account

If you’ve bought shares, it’s likely that you already have a share trading account. But if you’ve acquired them through another means, such as through inheritance or an employee share scheme, you’ll need to open an account.

Check out the options we’ve listed above, making sure to compare prices, features and reviews before signing up. You’ll need to have a form of photo ID in case you’re asked to verify your identity.

And remember - you’ll need a DFM Investor Number (NIN) if you want to trade stocks on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM).

2. Check the tax implications

Before selling shares, it’s really important to understand any potential tax implications.

For example, you may end up owing UK capital gains tax on the return, depending on your personal allowance and whether the investment was held in a tax-efficient wrapper such as an ISA.

If you’re unsure, it can be a good idea to get an external tax advisor involved.

3. Calculate the cost

When selling UAE shares, there are a few costs to consider. These include commission or trading fees charged by the platform, along with currency conversion fees.

Remember, you can avoid some of these by opening a Wise account and holding your money in AED until you’re ready to sell or trade your shares.

Selling UAE shares: key platform costs to check

Note: All above investment platform fees were correct as of 4th March 2026.

4. Sell your shares

Now for the final step - choosing which shares you want to sell and executing the trade.

You’ll need to choose the order type and enter either the number of shares you want to sell, or the value. Then, wait for the funds to land in your trading account.

From there, you can choose to either reinvest or withdraw money to an external bank account.

Opening hours of international stock markets

As you take your first steps into international trading, it can be useful to know the opening times of major stock markets around the world:

You might also want to take a look at our stock price reference and currency conversion tool.

Don’t let currency conversion trip you up when trading - use Wise

When you invest in UAE stocks from the UK, one of the biggest extra costs can come from currency conversion. This is because many investment platforms charge high FX markups when converting GBP to AED, and when you sell your shares and convert AED back to GBP.

That’s where a Wise account comes in, helping you to reduce or avoid these charges. Not just that, but you can:

• Convert money at mid-market exchange rates, with low, transparent fees*
• Conveniently manage your money in 40+ currencies, sending payments worldwide
• Hold AED (and other currencies) until you’re ready to invest or withdraw
• Set up exchange rate alerts so you know when the AED/GBP rate moves in your favour.

There’s even a dedicated secure service for transferring large amounts. You can also take advantage of Wise Interest, turning it on in your account to help you earn a return on GBP, USD or EUR, and invest in a fund that holds government-backed assets.

Turn on Wise Interest

Investments can fluctuate, and your capital is at risk. Interest is offered by Wise Assets UK Ltd, a subsidiary of Wise Payments Ltd. Wise Assets UK Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority with registration number 839689. When facilitating access to Wise investment products, Wise Payments Ltd acts as an Introducer Appointed Representative of Wise Assets UK Ltd. Please be aware that we do not offer investment advice, and you may be liable for taxes on any earnings. If you're uncertain, we urge you to seek professional advice. To find out more about the Funds, visit our website.

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Sources used:

1. eToro - fees and charges
2. eToro - conversion fees
3. Interactive Brokers - stocks and ETFs
4. Interactive Brokers - DFM stock fees
5. Interactive Brokers - other fees

Sources last checked on date: 04-Mar-2026