How to Take a Loan in Etisalat (UAE): Code, Fees & Limits (2026)
Quick answer: To take a loan (Reserve Credit) on an Etisalat (e&) prepaid line, dial *108*1#. Eligible users can borrow up to AED 50 of mobile credit, which is deducted automatically from the next recharge. You qualify if you have been a prepaid customer for at least 3 months and spend at least AED 10 a month. It is not free: single-account users pay a 20% service fee (before VAT) on top of normal rates while using the borrowed credit.
Etisalat Reserve Credit at a glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Service name | Reserve Credit (often called an Etisalat loan or advance credit) |
| Code to subscribe | *108*1# |
| Other options menu | *108# |
| Unsubscribe | *108*2# (Single Account SIM only) |
| Maximum credit | Up to AED 50 |
| Eligibility | Prepaid for at least 3 months, with usage of at least AED 10 a month |
| Repayment | Deducted automatically from your next recharge |
| Expiry | Reserve Credit balance does not expire |
| Who can use it | Prepaid customers; e& decides eligibility |
e& also notifies eligible users by SMS, so if you have received an invitation message your line already qualifies.
How to get a loan in Etisalat: step by step
- Check your balance by dialling *121#. Reserve Credit is meant for when your credit runs out.
- Dial *108*1# from the prepaid line and press call.
- Read the reply. On a Single Account SIM you are subscribed, and credit is added automatically when your balance runs low.
- If your number is one of several on the same Emirates ID and it is not the primary number, the primary number receives an SMS and must approve within 24 hours.
- Wait for the SMS confirming the amount credited, then use it for calls, SMS or a supported data plan.
Single Account SIM vs Multiple Account SIM
e& treats your line differently depending on whether it is the only mobile number on your Emirates ID or one of several numbers linked to the same customer record (Party ID).
| Single Account SIM | Multiple Account SIM | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Only one mobile number on your customer record | Several numbers linked to the same Emirates ID |
| How it renews | Stays subscribed; renews whenever you run out of credit | Not automatic; make a new request each time |
| Approval needed | No | Non-primary numbers need the primary number’s SMS approval within 24 hours |
| When credit is added | When your balance reaches AED 1, with an SMS showing the amount | After approval of each request |
| Service charge | 20% on top of the normal tariff (before VAT) | AED 0.06 per minute or SMS (before VAT) |
| Unsubscribe | *108*2# | Not needed, as it does not renew |
If no primary number has been set, e& treats the oldest activated number as the primary one. The primary number can be changed in the e& UAE app, and the primary line can activate Reserve Credit directly with *108*1#.
Fees: what the Etisalat loan really costs
The borrowed credit has no interest, but using it costs more than normal credit:
| Account type | Extra charge while using Reserve Credit | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Single Account SIM (Wasel prepaid) | 20% service fee, before VAT, on top of the normal tariff | A call costing AED 1.00 normally costs AED 1.20 plus VAT |
| Multiple Account SIM | AED 0.06 per minute or SMS, before 5% VAT | A 10-minute call adds AED 0.60 plus VAT |
| Mobile content | 20% on top of the subscription amount | A AED 10 content subscription costs AED 12 plus VAT |
Because of these charges, a normal recharge is always cheaper if you can make one. Use Reserve Credit for urgent calls and messages, not for routine use.
What you can use the borrowed credit for
| Service | Single Account SIM | Multiple Account SIM |
|---|---|---|
| Local and international voice calls | Yes | Yes |
| Local and international SMS | Yes | Yes |
| Non-stop Silver data plan | Yes | Yes |
| Selected data packs | Yes | No |
| Play on Demand data | Yes | No |
| Start Stop Data | Yes | No |
The Non-stop Silver data plan is not auto-renewing and can be bought again, but only after you have subscribed to Reserve Credit. Credit transfers to other numbers and other purchases are not listed as eligible uses.
How repayment works
When you next recharge, e& automatically takes back the Reserve Credit you used, plus the service charges already applied to your usage. The rest of the recharge goes to your main balance.
| Example | Amount |
|---|---|
| Reserve Credit used | AED 20 |
| Your next recharge | AED 50 |
| Deducted to repay the reserve | AED 20 |
| Left in your main balance | AED 30 |
Plan your recharge so that enough remains for any data or minute pack that is due to renew. Unsubscribing does not cancel credit you have already used.
Why your Etisalat loan request might be rejected
| Reason | What to do |
|---|---|
| Line is less than 3 months old | Wait until it qualifies, or ask someone to transfer credit |
| Spending below AED 10 a month | Regular recharges and usage build eligibility |
| Reserve Credit already used and not yet repaid | Recharge to repay it, then try again |
| Primary number did not approve in 24 hours | Ask the primary account holder to reply, then request again |
| Postpaid line | Reserve Credit is for prepaid; postpaid usage is billed monthly |
| e& eligibility decision | e& decides who qualifies; repeated requests will not change it |
Other ways to get credit when you run out
| Option | How | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Ask someone to send credit | They dial *100*your number*amount#, for example *100*0501234567*10# | Sender pays 5.25% fee (VAT included); minimum AED 2 |
| Request credit from a friend | Dial *107*their number*amount# | Free to request; up to 2 requests a day |
| Out of Credit Call | Available when your balance reaches 1 fils: one call of up to 3 minutes | AED 1.50 plus VAT, deducted at next recharge |
| Call Me Back | With less than AED 2, send *188* (English) or *199* (Arabic) followed by the number | Free |
| Collect call | Dial *132*the number# or 132; the person you call pays | Free for you; e& to e& within the UAE |
| Recharge online | e& UAE app, Quick Pay on e&’s website, or eRecharge | Normal recharge |
Full details on sending credit are in our guide on how to transfer Etisalat balance. To see what you have left, see how to check Etisalat balance. On du, the equivalent service is explained in how to borrow du credit, and FIVE SIM users request reserve credit with the same *108*1# code under FIVE rules.
Safety tips
- Only use *108*1# from your own line. Nobody needs your PIN, password or one-time code to give you Reserve Credit.
- Ignore messages offering “instant Etisalat loans” through links or third parties; Reserve Credit is only available through e&.
- Keep the confirmation SMS showing how much was credited, so you can match the deduction on your next recharge.
Frequently asked questions
What is the code to take a loan in Etisalat?
Dial *108*1# from your prepaid line. Use *108# for other Reserve Credit options and *108*2# to unsubscribe on a Single Account SIM.
How much can I borrow from Etisalat?
Up to AED 50, depending on your eligibility as decided by e&.
Who is eligible for Etisalat Reserve Credit?
Prepaid customers who have used e& for at least 3 months and spend at least AED 10 a month.
Is the Etisalat loan free?
No. Single Account SIM users pay a 20% service fee on top of normal rates, and Multiple Account SIM users pay AED 0.06 per minute or SMS, both before VAT.
How do I repay the Etisalat loan?
Just recharge. The amount you used is deducted automatically from the recharge.
Can postpaid customers take an Etisalat loan?
No. Reserve Credit is a prepaid service.
Why does my request need someone else’s approval?
Your number is one of several on the same Emirates ID and is not the primary number, so the primary number must approve within 24 hours.
Does Reserve Credit expire?
No. e& states that the Reserve Credit balance does not expire.
Rules, codes and fees were checked on e&’s official value-added services and prepaid onboarding pages on 20 October 2026.
