In today's world, being connected has become an essential thing. The Etisalat company, which is one of the telecommunication companies in the UAE, has decided to provide the customers with an additional service that will ensure they are never out of credit, even when their balance is finished. You can borrow mobile credit as a result of this service even if you have an urgent task to perform such as making a call or sending a quick message or accessing the internet; you do not need to worry about these things while you are using the service. In this guide, you will learn about how you can borrow mobile credit from Etisalat, who is eligible, the codes to use, the charges, and other helpful information that will ensure you are connected at all times, in all places.
What is Etisalat Credit Borrowing Service?
It is a service provided by Etisalat, which helps you when you run out of credit. The Etisalat Credit Borrowing Service, which is also known as "Credit Advance" or "Credit SOS" assists the prepaid users to get the balance they need as quickly as possible. The amount of credit that you borrow can be spent on any of the following services, which are calls, SMS, and mobile data.
As for the repayment, the deducted amount corresponds to the sum you borrowed plus a minimal service fee. This feature can be pointed out as especially useful for people who find themselves in situations where they require communication urgently but they can't recharge immediately.
Who Can Borrow Credit from Etisalat?
As a matter of fact, not all of the Etisalat users are eligible to borrow. Only the specific users can use such a service as a prepaid customer if they fit some predetermined conditions. You must:
As an example:
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Be an Etisalat prepaid customer (postpaid customers are not eligible).
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Have been using your Etisalat SIM for a minimum period of 3 months.
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Have recharged regularly (minimum total recharge of AED 10.
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Have low or zero balance at the moment of the request.
If you reach these targets, Etisalat is the one that tells you how much credit you can borrow by using your consumption and recharge record.
Etisalat Borrow Credit Codes and Methods
Etisalat makes it easy to borrow credit through multiple methods — USSD code, SMS, or the My Etisalat UAE App. Below is a step-by-step breakdown of each method.
Borrow Credit Using USSD Code
The most straightforward technique to borrow credit from Etisalat is through the use of the USSD code. And this is what you have to do:
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Dial 1081# on your phone.
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Follow the procedures guided online.
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You will then be received a message confirming the credit amount that has been added to the account.
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Etisalat will also send an SMS notifying you of the borrowed amount, service charge as an SMS, and the total that shall be deducted from your next recharge.
Borrow Credit via SMS
If you want to borrow credit by sending an SMS, you can do it by following the steps given below:
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Send the word "Credit" to 1010.
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Be on the lookout for a confirmation SMS from Etisalat.
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As soon as you get the green light, your account will be credited without delay.
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Besides that, you can respond to a confirmation message saying "1" to accept the loan.
Borrow Credit Using the My Etisalat UAE App
For people using smartphones, it is also possible to borrow credit with the help of the My Etisalat UAE App. The app is accessible on both Google Play Store and Apple Store.
You need to do as follows:
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Open the My Etisalat UAE App.
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Log in with your mobile number.
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Go to the “Account Management” or “Recharge” section.
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Tap on “Borrow Credit” or “Emergency Credit”.
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Select the amount and confirm.
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The borrowed amount will appear in your account within seconds.
How Much Credit Can You Borrow from Etisalat?
Etisalat allows customers to borrow different amounts depending on their usage history and recharge patterns. The minimum amount you can borrow is AED 5, and the maximum amount can go up to AED 80 for regular users.
These are the amounts you can borrow:
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AED 5
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AED 10
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AED 20
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AED 30
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AED 50
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AED 80
When you ask for a loan, the system automatically chooses how much you are eligible for.
Etisalat Borrow Credit Service Charges
In fact, borrowing credit is a very popular service. However, the borrowing process will incur a small service fee. Referring to the norm, Etisalat takes 5% of the total amount borrowed.
For example:
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If you borrow AED 10, you are liable to pay AED 0.50 as a service fee.
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At the time of your next recharge, your balance will be deducted by AED 10.50.
These charges are simply deducted automatically and you will not need to pay any additional charges.
How to Check Borrowed Credit Balance?
Naturally, if you would like to see just how much of a credit that was borrowed is left in your account, simply dial:
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*121#
You should be able to view your balance including your remaining credit which has been borrowed.
Another option is to use the My Etisalat App which allows you to have a real-time balance view and see your usage details and the outstanding amount borrowed.
How to Repay Borrowed Credit?
If you want to give back your borrowed credit, this is the automatic way to go. Each time you recharge your prepaid account either via voucher, online top-up, or mobile banking, Etisalat automatically deducts the borrowed amount and the service fee.
You are not required to return the money manually — all you need to do is to ensure that your recharge exceeds your deserved refund.
Example:
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Borrowed amount: AED 10
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Service fee: AED 0.50
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Next recharge: AED 30
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Deduction: AED 10.50 (balance left: AED 19.50)
Important Tips and Rules
You need to be aware of these critical points before borrowing credit:
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You can only borrow if your balance is AED 1 or less.
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The service is only for prepaid numbers.
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The borrowed credit expires only when you use it or recharge your account.
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You cannot borrow again until your previous borrowed amount is cleared.
The borrowed credit can be used for calls, SMS, and data, both locally and internationally (depending on your plan).
Benefits of Etisalat Borrow Credit Service
The service of borrowing credit from Etisalat has many benefits:
Fast access: When you need it most you can get the credit in just a few seconds.
No documentation or registration: Just use the related USSD code or SMS.
Flexible borrowing limits: Based on your usage pattern and recharge history.
Available 24 hours: It is active at all times, and everywhere in the UAE.
You have full freedom: You can use the borrowed balance for any prepaid service.
This would be an interesting utility for frequent travelers who suddenly run out of credit or those who live in locations with few recharging facilities.
Alternative: Etisalat Credit Transfer Service
In the case you don't qualify to borrow money from Etisalat or if you just need extra balance, you can use the Credit Transfer Service of Etisalat, in which another user can transfer you part of their balance.
To do the transfer, please:
Dial *100MobileNumberAmount# and press call.
Example:
*100050123456710# → sends AED 10 to 0501234567.
This service can be very useful for your friends or family who use Etisalat beside you.
General Problems and Solutions
The borrowing problems may originate from the following issues:
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You haven't been in service for 3 months.
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You cannot borrow until you pay back.
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You donít belong to the category of prepaid users.
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You have made an input error.
If the problem persists, please get in touch with 101 or visit the nearest Etisalat Business Center.
Conclusion
It can be very stressful indeed to find yourself with an empty balance during an emergency, but Etisalat's Borrow Credit feature provides a very quick and reliable solution. You can borrow credit after entering the *108*1# command or sending a text message with just the word "Credit" to 1010, thus you will be able to get credit instantly. The automatic repayment of the borrowed amount, the transparency of the service charges, and the flexible borrowing limits continue to make mobile communication easy and worry-free for millions in the UAE.
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Emila Hales
My name is Emila Hales. I've been living in the UAE for the past five years, and I absolutely love traveling. Writing about my travel experiences is something I enjoy, and I'm excited to share my adventures with others who are passionate about exploring new places.
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