NBK Online Banking is reached from nbk.com (online.nbk.com), and the app is NBK Mobile Banking for iOS, Android and Huawei. New users register with their account number, personal details and registered mobile number, create a login ID and password, then activate at a branch or digitally with Kuwait Mobile ID. Expats can open a salary account with a salary transfer of KD 400 or more (Expat Salary Package) or a basic Express account with KD 10. The 24/7 call centre is 1801801 (+965 2292 4888 from abroad).
On this page
- NBK at a glance
- How to register for NBK Online Banking
- NBK online login and password reset
- What you can do in NBK Mobile Banking
- Opening an NBK account as an expat
- Credit cards and loans for expats at NBK
- Sending money home with NBK
- Paying government fees and bills
- Security: protecting your NBK account
- Common problems and fixes
- Before you leave Kuwait for good
- NBK contact numbers
- Frequently asked questions
- Related guides
NBK at a glance
The National Bank of Kuwait (NBK), founded in 1952, is Kuwait’s largest bank and the one many employers use for payroll. For expats that matters: salaries paid from an NBK company account to an NBK salary account usually arrive earlier in the day, and the bank’s branch and ATM network is the widest in the country. Everything below applies to personal customers; corporate customers use NBK’s separate business platforms.
How to register for NBK Online Banking
- Go to nbk.com → Online Banking → New user, or tap Register in the NBK Mobile Banking app.
- Enter your 13-digit account number (as shown on your statement), full name, date of birth, email and the mobile number registered with the bank.
- Create an 8-character login ID (letters and numbers) and a password containing a letter, a number and a special character; set a security question.
- Accept the agreement and submit. Activate by visiting a branch with your Civil ID, or digitally through Kuwait Mobile ID in the app.
- On first login, set a transaction password. One-time passwords (OTPs) go to your registered mobile for logins from new devices and for transfers.
Register with the same mobile number the bank already has on file. If you changed your number, update it at a branch or ATM first – registration and OTPs fail if the numbers do not match.
NBK online login and password reset
- Log in with your login ID and password on nbk.com or in the app; enable Face ID or fingerprint login in the app settings for faster access.
- Forgot your password? Use “Forgot password” on the login page or in the app. Identity is verified with an OTP and your Civil ID details, or call 1801801.
- Locked out after several wrong attempts: wait for the lock period shown or call the call centre to unlock.
- New phone: logging in on a new device triggers an OTP and may need re-activation through Kuwait Mobile ID.
What you can do in NBK Mobile Banking
| Feature | What it does |
|---|---|
| Local transfers | Within NBK, and to other Kuwaiti banks – instantly by mobile number through WAMD |
| International transfers | NBK Quick Pay and remittances to countries such as India, Egypt and the Philippines |
| Bill payments | MEW, telecom bills, K-Net merchants, Civil ID fees and traffic fines through the government payment gateway |
| Card controls | Freeze or unfreeze cards, set limits, request replacements, add cards to Apple Pay, Samsung Pay or NBK Pay |
| Accounts and deposits | View balances, salary credits and e-statements; open deposits |
| Loans and cards | Apply for consumer loans and credit cards once eligible |
New beneficiaries are added with an OTP, and a cooling period may apply before large transfers to a new beneficiary. Plan ahead if you need to send a big amount, such as a deposit on a flat.
Opening an NBK account as an expat
| Package | Requirement | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Expat Salary Package | Salary transfer KD 400 – 1,499 | Free debit card, no minimum balance with salary transfer, Quick Pay remittance discounts |
| Premium Package | Salary KD 1,500+ | Dedicated service and premium cards |
| Express Account (no salary) | KD 10 minimum balance | Basic savings/current account with debit card |
| Current Account | KD 500 minimum balance | Cheque book |
Bring your Civil ID, passport, and a salary certificate or employment letter addressed to NBK. Accounts can also be opened in the app with a selfie and a Civil ID scan; a branch visit is needed only if digital verification fails. The bank may ask for proof of your home-country address and FATCA/CRS tax forms, which are mandatory for every customer.
If your salary is below KD 400, you can still bank with NBK through the Express account, or compare other banks with lower thresholds in our guide to opening a bank account in Kuwait.
Credit cards and loans for expats at NBK
Once your salary has been credited to NBK for a few months, you usually become eligible for a credit card and a consumer loan. Under Central Bank of Kuwait rules, consumer loans are capped at 25 times the monthly salary, and the bank looks at your PAM-registered salary, length of service and existing debts in Ci-Net. Points to check before you apply:
- The total monthly instalment the bank will allow as a share of your salary.
- Whether a salary transfer letter from your employer is required for the whole loan term.
- Early settlement fees and what happens to the loan if you change jobs.
- Annual fees, foreign-transaction fees and the cash-withdrawal fee on credit cards.
- Whether the loan must be settled before you can cancel your residency and leave Kuwait.
Apply in the app or at a branch, and keep the signed loan agreement. Missing payments is reported to Ci-Net and can affect future loans, postpaid phone lines and even travel.
Sending money home with NBK
For many expats, the most-used feature is international transfer. In the app, add the beneficiary with their bank details (IBAN or account number and SWIFT/IFSC code), confirm with an OTP and check the exchange rate and fee shown before you send. Compare the final amount received with licensed exchange houses, which sometimes offer better rates on small transfers – see exchange companies in Kuwait.
Paying government fees and bills
NBK Mobile Banking connects to the government payment gateway, so you can pay Civil ID fees, traffic fines and MEW electricity and water bills without visiting an office. Search for the service, enter your civil number or account number, check the amount and approve with your transaction password. Save the receipt in the app or as a screenshot in case the payment does not show immediately on the ministry side.
Security: protecting your NBK account
- NBK never asks for your password, OTP or full card number by phone, SMS or WhatsApp. Calls pretending to be “NBK security” are a common scam in Kuwait.
- Freeze a lost card in the app immediately, then call 1801801.
- Do not install screen-sharing apps at the request of a caller, and never read an OTP aloud to anyone.
- Check the sender of links in SMS messages; log in only through the official app or by typing nbk.com yourself.
- Turn on transaction notifications so you see every card payment as it happens.
Common problems and fixes
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| OTP not arriving | Check that the mobile number on file is correct and that your line is active; restart the phone; call 1801801 |
| “Account not eligible” at registration | Some account types need a branch to enable online banking; visit with your Civil ID |
| Expired Civil ID | Renew the Civil ID and update it with the bank – transactions can be restricted until you do |
| App says device not registered | Log in again and complete OTP or Kuwait Mobile ID verification on the new device |
| International transfer rejected | Check the beneficiary name matches the bank account exactly and the SWIFT/IFSC code is correct |
Before you leave Kuwait for good
Clear any loans and credit-card balances, cancel standing orders and transfer the remaining balance before closing the account. Unpaid debts are reported to Ci-Net and can lead to a travel ban. Keep a final statement and the account closure letter, as you may need them for end-of-service and tax matters at home.
NBK contact numbers
- Call centre: 1801801 (24/7).
- From abroad: +965 2292 4888.
- Lost card: freeze in the app, then call 1801801.
- Branches: Sunday–Thursday, with mall branches open in the evening; check nbk.com for the branch locator.
Frequently asked questions
How do I register for NBK Online Banking?
On nbk.com or the NBK Mobile Banking app, choose New user, enter your account number, personal details and registered mobile, create a login ID and password, then activate at a branch or with Kuwait Mobile ID.
How do I reset my NBK Online password?
Use “Forgot password” on the login page or in the app; identity is verified by OTP and Civil ID, or call 1801801.
What is the minimum salary for an NBK account?
KD 400 for the Expat Salary Package. An Express account needs only KD 10 and no salary transfer.
Can I open an NBK account online?
Yes. The NBK Mobile Banking app offers digital onboarding with your Civil ID and Kuwait Mobile ID; a branch visit is needed only if verification fails.
What is the NBK customer service number?
1801801, available 24/7. From outside Kuwait call +965 2292 4888.
How do I transfer money to another bank in Kuwait?
Use WAMD in the NBK app to send instantly by mobile number, or a standard transfer using the recipient’s IBAN.
Is NBK an Islamic bank?
No. NBK is a conventional bank; its Islamic banking arm is Boubyan Bank.