New UAE AED100 Note Features First-Ever Polymer Design

The UAE has unveiled a new AED100 note that features cutting-edge security technologies and design elements. This marks a major step forward in the nation’s currency system. The polymer banknote comes with sophisticated security features like SPARK Flow DIMENSIONS and KINEGRAM COLORS that set new benchmarks to prevent counterfeiting.

The new United Arab Emirates dirham proudly displays the Um Al Quwain National Fort on its front. The back of the note showcases the Port of Fujairah and Etihad Rail, which blend the nation’s cultural roots with its progress. The 100 AED note has Braille symbols that help visually impaired users and lasts twice as long as paper notes. The Central Bank of UAE plans to release this new addition to the national currency from March 24, 2025. All existing banknotes will remain valid.

UAE Central Bank Implements Advanced Anti-Counterfeiting Technologies

The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has established a new regional measure by incorporating advanced anti-counterfeiting technologies in the new 100 AED note. The SPARK Flow® DIMENSIONS technology stands at the vanguard of these security measures and creates eye-catching dynamic optical effects with sharper glow and vibrant colors that change when light hits the tilted banknote.

The UAE has become the first Middle Eastern country to use the largest strip of KINEGRAM COLORS® on its banknotes. This multi-colored security chip technology presents distinctive visual elements that make authenticity verification straightforward and creates substantial barriers for potential counterfeiters. The perfect register of color and partial metallization in the KINEGRAM COLORS® system delivers unmatched protection.

These advanced features showcase technological implementations used for the first time in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Security experts note that KINEGRAM COLORS® technology works exceptionally well because color remains the primary characteristic people remember about objects. This maximizes the chance of detecting forged notes easily.

The Central Bank’s steadfast dedication to security goes beyond visual elements. Fluorescent components emerge under ultraviolet light and reveal hidden security markers. These elements work together with other features to create a complete security system that helps manage public confidence in the UAE national currency.

Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the CBUAE, highlighted that the new banknote reflects their “commitment to the leadership’s vision for a sustainable future through initiatives and achievements that support Net Zero and enhance the nation’s financial competitiveness”. The CBUAE’s breakthroughs have earned international recognition, winning the ‘Best New Banknote’ award at the 2023 and 2025 High Security Printing EMEA conference for previous polymer banknotes.

The UAE Central Bank has managed to keep its focus on all users by adding prominent Braille symbols that help visually impaired individuals identify the banknote’s value.

Polymer Material Transforms UAE National Currency Durability

The new 100 AED note features polymer substrate, a major technological leap that outperforms traditional paper currency. The UAE Central Bank’s switch to polymer material makes these banknotes last two to five times longer than paper notes.

Polymer substrate stands up better to daily wear and tear. The material keeps its shape and strength even after repeated folding and heavy use. This toughness proves particularly valuable in UAE’s hot, humid climate where polymer notes work better than paper ones that get dirty and limp from moisture absorption.

The polymer material creates a surface that keeps out dirt, liquids, and oils. This feature makes the UAE national currency much cleaner to handle. The new UAE 100 dirham note can be washed with soap and water without any damage to its structure.

The environmental advantages stand out too. Saif Humaid Al Dhaheri, Assistant Governor of the Central Bank of the UAE, said: “We proudly lead the region in adopting banknotes with advanced security and sustainable materials”. The recyclable polymer substrate supports UAE’s vision for a sustainable economy. This launch matches the leadership’s declaration of 2023 as the Year of Sustainability.

These benefits make the United Arab Emirates dirham a symbol of both technological progress and environmental care. The polymer material suits everyday use in settings of all types, from wet markets to public transport. The CBUAE highlighted that choosing this material shows their steadfast dedication to the leadership’s vision for a sustainable future through initiatives supporting Net Zero targets.

Digital Systems Adapt to Recognize New 100 AED Note

UAE banks have started a detailed upgrade of their digital systems to handle the new 100 AED note. Banks and exchange houses now update their cash deposit machines and counting devices. This work will give customers smooth acceptance of both new polymer and existing banknotes.

The technical updates include programming changes for counterfeit detection machines in the banking network. The Central Bank requires each licensed location to have counterfeit detection machines and ultraviolet lamps. These devices must check at least five major currencies, and the UAE national currency checks are mandatory. Regular software updates help these systems detect counterfeits effectively.

Banks now fine-tune their modern currency processing equipment for the new UAE 100 dirham note with several authentication technologies:

• Full-line Contact Image Sensors (CIS) that can discriminate notes by denomination
• Ultraviolet (UV) detection systems that reveal hidden security markers
• Magnetic (MG) sensors that verify magnetic ink elements
• Infrared (IR) technology that identifies specific security features

Machines must recognize the note’s distinctive SPARK Flow DIMENSIONS and KINEGRAM COLORS security features during the upgrade. The banking sector’s experience with previous United Arab Emirates dirham denominations helps this technical transition. Similar updates worked well for the AED5, AED10, and AED50 notes.

Major banks like First Abu Dhabi Bank, Emirates NBD, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, and Bank of Sharjah have completed their ATM programming for new denominations. Their coordinated efforts help automated systems verify note authenticity through watermarks, security threads, and color-shifting elements.

The UAE banking sector’s steadfast dedication to this upgrade protects public trust in the UAE national currency by stopping counterfeit circulation. The AED500 note’s previous experience showed that ATM upgrades, though complex, play a vital role in currency security.

The UAE’s new AED100 note shows their dedication to advancing technology while preserving culture. The Central Bank of UAE has built reliable protection against counterfeiting with cutting-edge security features like SPARK Flow DIMENSIONS and KINEGRAM COLORS. The note’s polymer material will last twice as long and supports environmentally responsible goals.

Traditional and modern elements blend naturally in the note’s design. The Um Al Quwain National Fort appears alongside contemporary landmarks like the Port of Fujairah and Etihad Rail. The addition of Braille symbols and improved durability makes these notes available to everyone.

Banks have prepared thoroughly to blend the new note into current financial systems. The UAE’s financial system will easily handle both new and existing notes when circulation starts on March 24, 2025. This currency upgrade marks the UAE’s progress toward a more secure, sustainable financial future that includes everyone.