The Bank of Maldives (BML) has announced plans to ease the limits on overseas card transactions before the end of this month.

The bank said it is reviewing the current limits on overseas e-commerce and online transactions made using Maldivian rufiyaa cards. The revised arrangements are expected to take effect before the end of the month.

BML introduced the restrictions last month after demand for US dollars exceeded the bank's foreign currency inflows.

The bank said customers requiring foreign currency for medical treatment or education overseas will also receive additional assistance.

Under the current policy, customers travelling abroad can spend up to USD 1,000 per month through point-of-sale (POS) transactions. A separate monthly limit of USD 3,000 applies to airline tickets, hotel bookings and hospital payments. BML said these limits have remained unchanged since they were last increased.

The bank also revealed that it sold USD 345 million in foreign currency during the first five months of 2026, a 47 per cent increase compared with the same period last year. Of this, USD 198 million was used for card transactions, while USD 147 million was sold to businesses.

BML said it is continuing efforts to increase the availability of foreign currency with support from the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA).