Complete list of SWIFT/BIC codes for Barclays Bank PLC in the United Arab Emirates. Use the right code to make sure your international wire transfer reaches the correct Barclays UAE office without delay. Barclays maintains a focused UAE footprint – all UAE SWIFT codes start with BARCAEAD, where BARC is the bank code, AE is the country code, and AD identifies Dubai as the location.
Quick Reference
For most international transfers to Barclays UAE accounts, use BARCAEAD or BARCAEADXXX. If your recipient has provided a specific branch code such as BARCAEADABU, use that exact code for faster routing to the correct office.
Barclays UAE Head Office SWIFT Code
DIFC Head Office – Principal Place of Business
All Barclays UAE SWIFT Codes by Branch
Dubai Branches
Barclays UAE SWIFT Codes Summary Table
| SWIFT Code | Branch / Department | Emirate | Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| BARCAEAD | DIFC Head Office | Dubai | Sixth Floor, Building 10, The Gate Village, DIFC |
| BARCAEADABU | One Central Branch (DWTC) | Dubai | Office 109, Level 1, The Offices 3, One Central, DWTC |
Understanding the Barclays UAE SWIFT Code
A SWIFT code consists of 8 or 11 characters:
Bank Code
Country
Location (Dubai)
Branch
Barclays UAE Branch Codes
XXX
DIFC Head Office (default routing)ABU
One Central Branch (Dubai World Trade Centre)
Unlike larger UAE banks such as FAB or Emirates NBD which carry dozens of branch-specific suffixes, Barclays maintains a deliberately narrow set of UAE SWIFT identifiers, reflecting its focused corporate, investment, and private-banking footprint in the country.
How to Send Money to Barclays Bank PLC in the UAE
To make an international wire transfer to a Barclays UAE account, you’ll need the following information from your recipient:
Required Information for Wire Transfer
- SWIFT/BIC Code
Use BARCAEAD for general transfers, or BARCAEADABU for the One Central branch - Beneficiary’s IBAN
23-character UAE IBAN starting with AE (e.g., AE07 XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXX) - Beneficiary’s Full Name
Exactly as registered with Barclays – no initials or abbreviations - Bank Address
Sixth Floor, Building 10, The Gate Village, Dubai International Financial Centre, P.O. Box 506674, Dubai, UAE - Purpose of Payment Code
Required by the UAE Central Bank (e.g., SAL for salary, FAM for family support, IVS for investment in securities, OAT for own-account transfer)
FAQ – Barclays UAE SWIFT Codes
What is the main SWIFT code for Barclays Bank PLC in the UAE?
The primary SWIFT/BIC code is BARCAEAD (or BARCAEADXXX in 11-character format). This code routes payments to the Barclays DIFC head office in Dubai and is valid for the majority of international transfers to Barclays UAE accounts.
Can I use BARCAEAD instead of BARCAEADXXX?
Yes. Both formats are valid. The 8-character version (BARCAEAD) automatically defaults to the head office. Some foreign banking platforms require exactly 11 characters – in that case, use BARCAEADXXX.
What is BARCAEADABU used for?
BARCAEADABU is the SWIFT code for Barclays Bank PLC’s One Central branch at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Despite the “ABU” suffix, this branch is in Dubai – the suffix is an internal identifier, not a city code. Use it if your beneficiary has been specifically assigned to that branch.
Why does the “ABU” suffix not mean Abu Dhabi?
In SWIFT branch codes, the last three characters are arbitrary identifiers chosen by the bank, not geographic codes. The location code in any SWIFT/BIC is the fifth and sixth characters – in Barclays’ UAE codes that is “AD”, which represents Dubai. Barclays Bank PLC does not operate a branch in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Does Barclays have separate SWIFT codes for Private Bank vs Corporate Banking in the UAE?
No. Both Private Bank and Corporate & Investment Bank clients in the UAE use the same SWIFT codes (BARCAEAD / BARCAEADXXX / BARCAEADABU). Internal routing within Barclays directs the funds to the correct booking centre based on the beneficiary IBAN and account details.
What happens if I use the wrong Barclays branch code?
The transfer will not fail. Barclays’ central clearing system receives all SWIFT messages regardless of branch suffix and re-routes them internally based on the beneficiary IBAN. Expect a possible 24-48 hour delay; no additional fees are charged by Barclays for internal re-routing, though correspondent banks may add charges.
Is the SWIFT code different for AED vs foreign currency accounts at Barclays UAE?
No. SWIFT code selection is independent of currency. The same code serves accounts in AED, USD, GBP, EUR, and other currencies that Barclays UAE supports. Currency is identified in a separate field of the MT103 SWIFT message format.
Is BARCGB22 the same as BARCAEAD?
No. BARCGB22 is Barclays Bank PLC’s head office SWIFT code in the United Kingdom. BARCAEAD identifies Barclays’ UAE branch. If you are sending money to a UAE-held account, you must use the UAE code – using the UK code will route funds to the wrong country and trigger a costly recall.
What is Barclays UAE’s official SWIFT code according to the bank?
According to records held by the DFSA and Barclays’ own correspondent banking disclosures, BARCAEAD is the official SWIFT/BIC code for Barclays Bank PLC’s UAE branch. Confirm the code in writing with your Relationship Manager before sending large amounts.
Does Barclays offer Islamic banking SWIFT routing in the UAE?
Barclays Bank PLC does not maintain a separate Islamic banking branch in the UAE and therefore has no dedicated Islamic banking SWIFT code in the country.
Important Disclaimer
The SWIFT code information provided on this page is for reference purposes only. While we strive to keep this information accurate and up to date, we recommend verifying the SWIFT code with your Barclays Relationship Manager or on a recent account statement before making large transfers. We are not liable for any delays, losses, or errors that may occur as a result of using incorrect banking details.
