Complete list of SWIFT/BIC codes for HSBC Bank Middle East Limited in the United Arab Emirates. Find the right code for international wire transfers to HSBC accounts in the UAE. HSBC operates all its UAE retail branches under a single primary BIC, BBMEAEAD, with additional registered codes identifying specific emirates and departments. As one of the oldest international banks in the country (established in 1946), HSBC handles a high volume of cross-border transfers through its Dubai head office.
Quick Reference
For most international transfers to HSBC accounts in the UAE, use BBMEAEAD or BBMEAEADXXX. This single code is valid for all UAE retail branches and will route your payment correctly. If your recipient has provided a specific 11-character code (for example for Abu Dhabi or a department), use exactly what they gave you.
HSBC Head Office SWIFT Code in the UAE
Head Office – HSBC Tower, Downtown Dubai
All HSBC SWIFT Codes by Emirate and Department
Dubai
Abu Dhabi
Sharjah
Ras Al Khaimah
Fujairah
HSBC SWIFT Codes Summary Table
| SWIFT Code | Branch / Department | Emirate | Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| BBMEAEAD | Head Office / Main Branch (valid for all UAE branches) | Dubai | HSBC Tower, Ground Floor, Downtown |
| BBMEAEADDIF | DIFC Branch | Dubai | Gate Precinct, Building 2, Level 4, DIFC |
| BBMEAEADBDU | Securities Brokerage | Dubai | HSBC Tower, Ground Floor, Downtown |
| BBMEAEADABU | Abu Dhabi Branch | Abu Dhabi | Omeir Bin Yousuf Building, Old Airport Road |
| BBMEAEADALA | Al Ain (registered code) | Abu Dhabi | Al Ain, Abu Dhabi |
| BBMEAEADSHJ | Sharjah Branch | Sharjah | Abdul Aziz Majid Building, King Faisal Road |
| BBMEAEADRKS | Ras Al Khaimah Branch | Ras Al Khaimah | My City Centre Al Dhait |
| BBMEAEADFUJ | Fujairah Branch | Fujairah | Hamad Bin Abdulla Street |
Note: The main code BBMEAEAD is shown here in its 8-character form for the head office and is valid for all UAE branches. The 11-character XXX form (BBMEAEADXXX) routes identically.
Need more? View the full UAE SWIFT code table, check a SWIFT code, or read the HSBC overview.
Understanding the HSBC SWIFT Code
A SWIFT code consists of 8 or 11 characters:
Bank Code
Country
Location
Branch
HSBC UAE Branch and Department Codes
XXX
Head Office (Dubai) – valid for all branchesDIF
DIFC Branch (Dubai)BDU
Securities Brokerage (Dubai)ABU
Abu DhabiALA
Al AinSHJ
SharjahRKS
Ras Al KhaimahFUJ
Fujairah
How to Send Money to HSBC in the UAE
To make an international wire transfer to HSBC Bank Middle East, you’ll need the following information:
Required Information for Wire Transfer
- SWIFT/BIC Code
Use BBMEAEAD for general transfers to any UAE branch, or a specific 11-character code if provided by the recipient - Beneficiary’s IBAN
23-character UAE IBAN starting with AE (e.g., AE07 0331 2345 6789 012 3456) - Beneficiary’s Full Name
Exactly as registered with the bank – no initials or abbreviations - Bank Address
HSBC Tower, Ground Floor, Downtown, P.O. Box 66, Dubai, UAE - Purpose of Payment Code
Required for UAE transfers (e.g., SAL for salary, FAM for family support, OAT for own-account transfer)
FAQ – HSBC SWIFT Codes
What is the main SWIFT code for HSBC in the UAE?
The primary SWIFT code for HSBC Bank Middle East in the UAE is BBMEAEAD (or BBMEAEADXXX). This code is valid for all HSBC UAE branches and routes payments to the head office in Downtown Dubai.
Can I use BBMEAEAD instead of BBMEAEADXXX?
Yes. Both formats are valid and route to the same place. The 8-character version (BBMEAEAD) automatically defaults to the head office. Some originating-bank platforms require exactly 11 characters – in that case pad the code with XXX (BBMEAEADXXX).
Is the SWIFT code the same for all HSBC UAE branches?
Yes. The base code BBMEAEAD is valid for all HSBC branches in the UAE and will route payments correctly. Separate registered codes exist for specific emirates and departments (for example BBMEAEADABU for Abu Dhabi or BBMEAEADSHJ for Sharjah), but the main code works for all of them.
What is the SWIFT code for HSBC Abu Dhabi?
The registered SWIFT code for the HSBC Abu Dhabi branch is BBMEAEADABU. You can also use the main code BBMEAEAD for transfers to Abu Dhabi accounts.
What is the SWIFT code for the HSBC DIFC branch?
The SWIFT code for the HSBC DIFC branch (Gate Precinct, Building 2) is BBMEAEADDIF. Use this code if your account was opened with the DFSA-regulated DIFC branch rather than the onshore UAE branch.
What happens if I use the wrong HSBC branch code?
The transaction will not usually fail. HSBC’s central clearing receives SWIFT messages regardless of the branch suffix and routes funds to the correct account, typically with a delay of 1-3 business days. Using the main code BBMEAEAD avoids the issue entirely.
Is the SWIFT code different for AED vs. foreign currency accounts?
No. The SWIFT code identifies the bank and branch, not the currency. The same BBMEAEAD code serves accounts denominated in AED, USD, EUR, GBP and other currencies. Currency is identified through separate fields in the SWIFT message.
Why does HSBC’s SWIFT code contain “BBME”?
The “BBME” prefix comes from the bank’s former name, British Bank of the Middle East, which operated from 1959 to 1999 before rebranding to HSBC Bank Middle East. The legacy bank code has been retained in the SWIFT identifier.
What is HSBC’s official SWIFT code according to the bank?
According to HSBC UAE’s official website (hsbc.ae), the SWIFT code for HSBC Bank Middle East in the UAE is BBMEAEAD. This code is used for all international fund transfers to HSBC accounts across the UAE.
Important Disclaimer
The SWIFT code information provided on this page is for reference purposes only. While we work to keep this information accurate and up-to-date, we recommend verifying the SWIFT code on the official HSBC UAE website (hsbc.ae) or contacting the bank directly 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.
