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Akif Hazarvi

Saudi Arabia IBAN

SA·SAR

The International Bank Account Number (IBAN) for Saudi Arabia is 24 characters long and is used to identify bank accounts for international transactions via the SWIFT network.

A Saudi Arabia IBAN begins with the country code SA and two check digits, followed by the 20-character BBAN (Basic Bank Account Number). The Saudi Arabia BBAN encodes a 2-character bank code, followed by a 18-character account number. International transfers to Saudi Arabia are processed in SAR via SWIFT, typically taking 1–3 business days. Always include the full 24-character IBAN together with the bank's BIC/SWIFT code when making or receiving international payments.

IBAN Length

24 chars

Currency

SAR

SEPA

No

Banks

—

Example IBAN

Electronic format

SA0380000000608010167519

Print format

SA03 8000 0000 6080 1016 7519

IBAN structure for Saudi Arabia

A Saudi Arabia IBAN is 24 characters long and consists of the following components:

Country code

SA

Check digits

03

Bank code

2 chars

Account number

18 chars

Total length24 characters

BBAN format details

The Basic Bank Account Number (BBAN) is the domestic part of the IBAN, following the country code and check digits. Here is the BBAN validation format for Saudi Arabia:

Bank code2 characters

^[0-9]{2}

Account number18 characters

^[a-zA-Z0-9]{18}

Understanding IBAN in Saudi Arabia

What is the IBAN format in Saudi Arabia

An IBAN (International Bank Account Number) is an internationally-agreed code made up of up to 34 letters and numbers that helps banks make sure that international transfers are processed correctly. Each set of characters represents a different detail for your bank account. You can see the breakdown of this IBAN below.

What is the IBAN code in Saudi Arabia

IBAN in Saudi Arabia consists of 24 characters: 2 letter country code 2 digit check number 2 characters from the bank's bank code 18 digit code for the bank account number

Do you need an IBAN in Saudi Arabia

Yes. If you’re making – or expecting to receive – an international money transfer to a bank account in Saudi Arabia, then just a standard bank account number isn’t enough. If you want your money to arrive quickly and safely, you’ll usually need to give the bank a few extra details, such as an IBAN or SWIFT code. Banks assign IBANs to each of their accounts to make sure that international transfers are processed correctly. IBANs contain all of the country, bank, and account details you need to send or receive money internationally. This system is used throughout Europe, and also recognised in some areas of the Middle East, North Africa and the Caribbean.

Frequently asked questions

What is the IBAN format for Saudi Arabia?

A Saudi IBAN is exactly 24 characters long. It starts with SA, 2 check digits, a 2-digit bank code, and a 18-digit account number. Example: SA03 8000 0000 6080 1016 7519.

When did Saudi Arabia adopt IBAN?

SAMA (Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority, now the Saudi Central Bank) mandated IBAN adoption in 2010. All Saudi bank accounts have had a 24-character SA IBAN since the full rollout was completed. SAMA's SARIE system also uses the IBAN as the standard account identifier for domestic high-value transfers.

Is Saudi Arabia part of SEPA?

No. Saudi Arabia is not a SEPA member. International transfers to Saudi Arabia are processed through the SWIFT network. SEPA is specific to European countries, and Saudi Arabia's banking system connects globally via SWIFT.

What bank codes do Al Rajhi Bank, SNB, Riyad Bank, and Banque Saudi Fransi use?

Saudi bank codes (2 digits, positions 5–6 of the IBAN): Al Rajhi Bank is 05, Saudi National Bank (SNB) is 10, Riyad Bank is 07, and Banque Saudi Fransi is 55. Arab National Bank is 30, and Saudi British Bank (SABB) is 45.

How do I find my IBAN at a Saudi bank?

Your SA IBAN is available in your bank's mobile app or internet banking under account details. Al Rajhi Bank's mobile app, SNB's AlAhli Digital app, and Riyad Bank's Riyad Online all display the 24-character IBAN. It also appears on bank statements. For Al Rajhi Bank, the IBAN is prominently shown on the account summary screen.

What is SARIE and how does it use IBAN?

SARIE (Saudi Arabia Real Time Gross Settlement) is the Saudi Central Bank's high-value interbank payment system. It processes all large-value SAR domestic transfers in real time, using the IBAN as the account identifier. Saudi Arabia also has the Instant Payments (IP) system for retail real-time transfers, also IBAN-based.

What do I need to receive an international transfer to Saudi Arabia?

Provide your full 24-character SA IBAN and your bank's SWIFT/BIC code. Al Rajhi Bank's SWIFT code is RJHISARI; SNB's is NCBKSAJE; Riyad Bank's is RIBLSARI; Banque Saudi Fransi's is BSFRSARI.

Are large inbound transfers to Saudi Arabia subject to reporting?

Yes. Saudi regulations administered by SAMA require banks to report international transfers above certain threshold amounts for anti-money laundering (AML) compliance. Additionally, SAMA may require documentation of the purpose of large inbound transfers. If you are expecting a high-value wire, notify your bank in advance and be prepared to provide supporting documentation.

How IBAN is used in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia mandated the use of IBAN for all domestic and international transfers in 2010 under the oversight of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA, now the Saudi Central Bank — SAMA). Every Saudi bank account carries a 24-character IBAN prefixed with SA. Saudi Arabia is not part of SEPA; international transfers are routed through SWIFT. Domestically, the Saudi Payments Network (mada) and SARIE (Saudi Arabia Real Time Gross Settlement) system use the IBAN as the standard account identifier.

A Saudi IBAN is 24 characters long: the country code SA, two check digits, a two-digit bank code, and a 18-digit account number. Al Rajhi Bank (bank code 05), Saudi National Bank — SNB (10), Riyad Bank (07), and Banque Saudi Fransi (55) are among the largest institutions. Your IBAN is available in your bank's online or mobile banking platform, on your account statement, or by visiting a branch.
Saudi Arabia's SARIE real-time gross settlement system processes all high-value domestic SAR transfers using the IBAN. The country also has the Instant Payments (IP) system for real-time retail transfers. Both systems are domestic-only — for cross-border transfers, SWIFT remains the standard and senders outside Saudi Arabia need your full SA IBAN plus your bank's SWIFT code.
Saudi Arabia has one of the world's largest outbound remittance flows, but also significant inbound transfers — particularly for expatriates working in the Kingdom and sending money back from their home countries. When receiving a transfer from abroad, your bank may apply currency conversion from the incoming currency to SAR. SAMA's regulations also require that banks report international transfers above certain thresholds, so large inbound transfers may involve additional compliance checks.