Kuwait IBAN
A Kuwait IBAN is 30 characters long.
KW and two check digits open every Kuwait IBAN; its remaining 26 form the BBAN (Basic Bank Account Number). Transfers into Kuwait arrive in KWD over SWIFT.
Example Kuwait IBAN
Electronic format
KW81CBKU0000000000001234560101
Print format
KW81 CBKU 0000 0000 0000 1234 5601 01
IBAN structure for Kuwait
Major banks in Kuwait
6 banks in Kuwait that support IBAN-based international transfers:
Format reference: SWIFT IBAN Registry.
Kuwait IBAN questions
What is the IBAN format for Kuwait?
A Kuwaiti IBAN is exactly 30 characters long — one of the longest in the world. It starts with KW, 2 check digits, a 4-character alphanumeric bank code, and a 22-character account number. Example: KW81 CBKU 0000 0000 0000 1234 5601 01.
Why is the Kuwaiti IBAN 30 characters?
Kuwait's 30-character IBAN reflects the extended domestic account numbering system used by Kuwaiti banks. The 22-character account number portion within the IBAN is longer than most other countries, which results in the total IBAN length of 30 characters.
Is Kuwait part of SEPA?
No. Kuwait is not a SEPA member. All international transfers to Kuwait are routed through the SWIFT network. Domestically, the Kuwait Automated Settlement System (KASS) processes interbank KWD transfers using the IBAN.
What are the bank codes for NBK, KFH, Gulf Bank, and Burgan Bank?
Kuwaiti bank codes (4 characters, positions 5–8 of the IBAN): National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) uses NBOK, Kuwait Finance House (KFH) uses KFHO, Gulf Bank uses GULF, and Burgan Bank uses BURG. Commercial Bank of Kuwait uses COMB.
How do I find my IBAN at a Kuwaiti bank?
Your KW IBAN is available in your bank's mobile app or internet banking portal under account details. NBK's mobile banking, KFH's app, and Gulf Bank's digital banking all show the 30-character IBAN. You can also find it on your bank statement or by calling your bank's customer service.
What do I need to give a sender to receive a transfer to Kuwait?
Provide your full 30-character KW IBAN and your bank's SWIFT/BIC code. NBK's SWIFT code is NBOKKWKW; KFH's is KFHOKWKW; Gulf Bank's is GULBKWKW. Without the SWIFT code, international banks cannot route the payment to the correct Kuwaiti institution.
What is the current KWD exchange rate and why does it matter for transfers?
The Kuwaiti dinar (KWD) is pegged to a basket of currencies and is currently one of the highest-valued currencies by nominal exchange rate. When receiving an international transfer, the KWD exchange rate applied by the sending bank or service can significantly affect the amount received. Always compare the mid-market rate with the rate offered by your provider — the spread on KWD can be considerable for large transfers.
How long does a SWIFT transfer to Kuwait take?
International SWIFT transfers to Kuwait typically take 1–3 business days. Transfers from GCC countries (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain) often settle faster due to direct banking relationships. NBK, as one of the most internationally connected Kuwaiti banks, typically processes inbound SWIFT credits faster than smaller domestic institutions.
How IBAN is used in Kuwait
Kuwait adopted IBAN under the supervision of the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK). Kuwaiti bank accounts carry a 30-character IBAN — one of the longest in the world — prefixed with KW. Kuwait is not a SEPA member; all cross-border transfers are routed through the SWIFT network. The domestic currency is the Kuwaiti dinar (KWD), consistently one of the highest-valued currencies globally. Domestic interbank transfers are settled through the Kuwait Automated Settlement System (KASS).
- A Kuwait IBAN is 30 characters long: the country code KW, two check digits, a four-character alphanumeric bank code, and a 22-character account number. National Bank of Kuwait — NBK (bank code NBOK) is the largest bank. Kuwait Finance House — KFH (KFHO), Gulf Bank (GULF), and Burgan Bank (BURG) are other major institutions. The unusually long IBAN reflects Kuwait's extended domestic account numbering system.
- Kuwait's KASS (Kuwait Automated Settlement System) processes domestic KWD interbank payments and uses the IBAN as the account identifier. For inbound international transfers, the sender needs the recipient's full 30-character KW IBAN and the bank's SWIFT/BIC code. Transfers typically arrive within one to two business days.
- The Kuwaiti dinar is pegged to a basket of currencies and is currently one of the strongest currencies in the world by nominal value. When receiving an international transfer in KWD, the exchange rate applied by your bank or the sending service can have a significant impact on the final amount received. Compare the mid-market rate against your bank's posted rate, as the KWD spread can be material for large transfers.
Georgia
Costa Rica
Kosovo
Turkey
Ukraine
Qatar