The short answer
Tamara lets you buy now and pay in instalments at partner shops. Tamara's websites say it charges no late fees, although repeated late payments can lead to account suspension and can affect your credit score. Plans and limits differ by shop and by customer.
Quick facts
How Tamara works
Tamara is a payment option you choose at checkout. You pay part of the price now and the rest over time, instead of paying everything at the till. Tamara's FAQ describes it as paying a fraction of your total now and the rest later across instalments.
Plans are not the same everywhere. Tamara's UAE website talks about paying in up to 4 instalments, and its Saudi website advertises paying over up to 24 months. The plan you actually see depends on the shop, the amount and your own profile, so go by the offer on your checkout screen.
Tamara also has a paid membership called Tamara Smart. Tamara's UAE site describes it as offering exclusive cashback and rewards, free for the first month and then AED 19 a month. Check the price and terms in the Tamara app, as they can change and may differ by country.
- Pick Tamara as the payment method at a shop that accepts it.
- Choose the plan shown for your basket.
- Log in or sign up with your mobile number and ID details.
- Pay the first part, then pay each later instalment by its due date.
Late fees and missed payments
Tamara's websites say plainly: no late fees. They describe it as Sharia compliant. They add that if you miss a payment, no late fees are charged.
That does not mean missed payments cost nothing. Tamara says repeated delays in payment may lead to your Tamara account being suspended and may affect your credit score. Tamara's FAQ also says applicants can be rejected if they have prior commitments to a bank or telecoms company, or are flagged by credit bureaus such as Simah in Saudi Arabia, Al Etihad Credit Bureau in the UAE or Ci-Net in Kuwait.
Other websites sometimes quote fixed late fee amounts for Tamara. We could not confirm them on Tamara's own pages, so we do not repeat them here. Read the terms in the app before you buy.
Who can use Tamara
According to Tamara's FAQ, you need to be over 18. You also need a valid, verifiable mobile number, a valid ID and a valid payment card in Saudi Arabia, the UAE or Kuwait.
Tamara decides on each purchase. Being approved once does not guarantee approval next time.
Where you can use Tamara
Tamara's sites say it is available at most stores across Saudi Arabia and the UAE, online and in store. Their lists of categories include fashion, electronics, education, healthcare, travel, home and sports.
Tamara's Kuwait page lists Kuwait and Bahrain among the countries it operates in. We did not confirm which shops accept it there, so look for the Tamara logo at checkout.
Tamara and card cashback
You pay Tamara instalments with the payment card linked to your account. We could not find an official Tamara statement on whether your card's cashback or rewards apply to those instalments, so we do not promise it.
Your card's own terms decide this. Look at what counts as an eligible purchase and whether there is a monthly minimum spend or cap on cashback. If you chase a cashback target, remember that paying in instalments spreads the card charges across different months.
Returns, refunds and tips
Tamara's FAQ says that once the store tells Tamara about your return or cancellation, your payment plan is updated and the relevant amount is refunded to your account. Keep the shop's return receipt, and watch your instalment schedule until it updates.
- Set a reminder for each due date, and keep money in the linked card account.
- Do not take several plans at once without adding up what you owe each month.
- Compare the price in cash with the price on instalments. A shop may sell the same item for less elsewhere.
- Ask the shop before you buy if you may need to return the item.
- Keep your phone number up to date in the app, because Tamara uses your mobile number to log you in.
- Look at the whole basket total before you confirm. Small instalments can hide a large price.
- If you cannot pay on time, contact Tamara early rather than ignoring it, since repeated delays can suspend your account.
Tamara compared with Tabby
Both are pay later options that split a purchase into instalments, and many shops offer both. The two companies set their own plans, limits and approval rules, and a shop may accept only one of them. Our Tabby guide explains what Tabby says about fees. Compare the plan and the total cost on your own screen at checkout, and pick the one that suits your budget.
How to pay with Tamara
- Choose TamaraAt checkout, select Tamara as your payment method.
- Pick a planSelect the plan shown for your basket.
- VerifyLog in with your mobile number and confirm your details.
- Pay on timePay each instalment by its due date to avoid account suspension.
How Fawz helps
Fawz is not released yet, and you can join the waiting list. When it is out, it suggests which of your cards or memberships to use at the till. That helps when you choose which card to link to a pay later account.
Fawz also tracks minimum monthly spend and caps, so you can plan big purchases across your cards. Fawz never stores card numbers or bank logins and never reads SMS.
Join the waiting listQuestions people ask
Does Tamara charge late fees?
Tamara's websites say no late fees. Repeated delays may still lead to account suspension and an effect on your credit score.
Is Tamara interest free?
Tamara's FAQ does not mention interest charges. Tamara's Saudi site also advertises longer plans, so check the full cost of the plan you choose before you pay.
Which countries does Tamara work in?
Tamara's Kuwait page lists Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. The footer on that page says stores are currently available across Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Who can use Tamara?
You need to be over 18, with a verifiable mobile number, valid ID and a valid payment card in a supported country.
Why was my Tamara request declined?
Tamara's FAQ says you can be rejected if you have prior commitments to your bank or telecoms company, or are flagged by a credit bureau.
Can I use Tamara in store?
Tamara's sites say it can be used online and in store at partner shops. Look for it at the till.
What happens if I return an item?
Once the store tells Tamara, your plan is updated and the relevant amount is refunded to your account.
Sources
- Tamara UAEtamara.co
- Tamara Saudi Arabiatamara.co
- Tamara Kuwaittamara.co
- Tamara FAQcdn.tamara.co
Last checked . Terms change, so check the current terms before you rely on an offer.
Related guides
Tabby in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait
How Tabby split payments work in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, the fees and late fees Tabby states, where to use it, and tips to avoid missed payments.
Pay later
UAE
Saudi Arabia
KuwaitHow cashback credit cards work in the UAE
How UAE cashback credit cards work: minimum monthly spend, category rates, monthly caps, excluded spends and payout, with examples from three banks.
CardUAESaving money in Saudi Arabia: cards, pay later and supermarket offers
A plain guide to saving money in Saudi Arabia: card cashback, supermarket flyers, Tabby and Tamara, Visa offers and the 15% VAT on most purchases.
Country guideSaudi ArabiaSaving money in the UAE: cards, discount memberships and supermarket offers
A plain guide to saving money in the UAE: card cashback, discount memberships, supermarket offers, pay later apps and the 5% VAT you pay on most purchases.
Country guideUAESaving money in Kuwait: cards, pay later and supermarket offers
A plain guide to saving money in Kuwait: card cashback, supermarket flyers, Tabby and Tamara, Visa and Mastercard offers, and where VAT stands.
Country guideKuwaitSaving money in Bahrain: cards, pay later and supermarket offers
A plain guide to saving money in Bahrain: card cashback, supermarket flyers, Tamara, Visa and Mastercard offers, and the 10% VAT on most purchases.
Country guide
Bahrain
Fawz is not affiliated with the companies named here. Names and trademarks belong to their owners.