Preparing for a move to Dubai is essential. Evaluate the UAE’s advantages and disadvantages, and plan your budget. Arrange a residence visa, find suitable housing, and pick a bank for your personal or corporate account. These steps make life in Dubai more comfortable while still offering the excitement of exploring a new environment.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the UAE for Living
Expats relocating to the United Arab Emirates encounter features that are neither purely positive nor purely negative. A comprehensive approach is vital when planning your move.
Key features to consider:
- Arabic Culture. The UAE is a Muslim state, yet newcomers are free to follow their own faith. Still, observe local customs.
- Housing in the UAE. Economic growth has triggered a real estate boom and high rental prices. Some landlords demand one year’s rent in advance.
- Doing Business in the UAE. Authorities encourage economic diversification and foreign investment. Company formation is straightforward, and taxes are low.
- Everyday Life in the UAE. Dubai is the cultural hub. English is common, and most residents welcome foreign nationals.
- Education in the UAE. Many universities follow curricula from top Western and Asian institutions. Diplomas enjoy international recognition, though tuition can be expensive.
- Transport in the UAE. Dubai has a metro system. Most major cities offer buses and taxis. You can also drive a private car.
- Healthcare in the UAE. Certified medical centres provide high-quality treatment. Costs depend on how much you are willing to pay.
Other important points:
- Health insurance is mandatory.
- The UAE imposes fines and penalties that can surprise newcomers.
- Respect Muslim traditions.
- Strikes and trade unions are not allowed.
- Dubai’s climate can be very hot, but most public areas have air conditioning.
- When forming a company, compare free zone (SEZ) options with mainland setups.
Visas in the UAE
Tourist entry is simple. In practice, no external visa is required. The entry stamp is placed in your passport upon arrival.
Residence visas offer more opportunities. They remain valid for one to ten years. Entry permit requirements depend on meeting specific conditions.
Types of Resident Visas in the UAE (with their validity periods):
- Investment Visa (“Golden Visa” Programme) — 5 or 10 years.
- Employment Visa — 2 years.
- Remote Worker Visa (for those employed outside the UAE) — 1 year, renewable.
- “Blue Visa” (for major environmental and sustainability contributions) — 10 years.
- Retirement Visa — 5 years.
- Student Visa — 1 year, renewable.
- Family Sponsorship — valid as long as the sponsor’s visa remains active.
Key points for obtaining a UAE residence visa:
- Fulfil all eligibility criteria for your visa category.
- Not every visa type allows family sponsorship.
- Budget for visa application costs.
Choosing an Emirate for Relocation to the UAE
Most expats choose Dubai. A diverse community of foreign residents has emerged in the city, each with unique values and mindsets. Business professionals often pick Dubai or Abu Dhabi. For expats relocating to the UAE, there is no critical difference among the other emirates.
Key Features and Advantages of Dubai and Abu Dhabi:
- Strategic location
- Tax benefits
- Developed business infrastructure
- No language barrier (English is widely used)
- Supportive legislation
- Foreign nationals can fully own their company
- Ease of hiring skilled personnel
- Diverse economy
- Favourable tax environment
- High standard of living
- Operational free zones
- Strong government support for businesses
Choosing Between Dubai and Abu Dhabi (If Business Is a Priority)
| Dubai | Abu Dhabi |
|---|---|
| Potentially broader client base | Your company’s business is linked to the government sector (energy, heavy industry, finance, banking) |
| Your business focuses on tourism, trade, technology, or e-commerce | Maximum business efficiency and stability are the priorities |
| Companies benefit from a rapidly developing market with established global connections and good reputation | All conditions exist for long-term growth with relatively lower competition (compared to Dubai) |
Housing in the UAE
Property prices are quite high, and the market is growing rapidly. You can still find lower-cost offers (relatively speaking), but begin early. After you relocate, you have fewer ways to adjust.
Average property prices in the UAE (apartments; data as of February 2025; source: properstar):
| Number of Rooms | Average Price (thousands of AED per m²) |
|---|---|
| Studio | 19.86 |
| 2 | 24.63 |
| 3 | 28.15 |
| 4 | 39.27 |
| 5 | 51.91 |
Average Property Prices in the UAE (Houses):
| Number of Rooms | Average Price (thousands of AED per m²) |
|---|---|
| 4 | 13.28 |
| 5 | 16.88 |
| 6 | 19.38 |
| 7 | 25.40 |
| 8 | 23.40 |
Average Property Prices in the UAE by Emirate (Apartments and Houses):
| Emirate | Average Price (thousands of AED / m²) |
|---|---|
| Ras Al-Khaimah | 28.82 / 34.05 |
| Umm Al-Quwain | 25.37 / 23.93 |
| Ajman | 25.26 / N/A |
| Umm Al-Quwain (Al Seanneeah) | 23.61 / N/A |
| Dubai | 22.55 / 15.33 |
| Abu Dhabi | 19.17 / 15.41 |
| Sharjah (Al Riffa) | 18.94 / 11.97 |
| Sharjah | 13.95 / 11.50 |
Due to the high property prices in the UAE, expats often choose to rent. Key figures for February 2025:
- Average (median) rental price: 1007 AED per m²
- Studios: 885 AED per m²
- 2-bedroom flats: 911 AED per m²
- 3-bedroom flats: 964 AED per m²
- 4-bedroom houses: 1054 AED per m²
Hotel accommodation costs (average and median price per night, plus the number of hotels surveyed):
- 5-star: 115 USD / 98 USD, 173 hotels
- 4-star: 58 USD / 50 USD, 244 hotels
- 3-star: 51 USD / 45 USD, 148 hotels
- 2-star: 54 USD / 46 USD, 36 hotels
- 1-star: 54 USD / 41 USD, 32 hotels
Cost of Living
Moving to the UAE generally requires a moderate income level. The United Arab Emirates is not the most expensive country to live in. According to Numeo’s cost-of-living index, Dubai ranks 124th, Abu Dhabi 149th, and Sharjah 161st out of 344 global cities. This suggests that relocating to the UAE is feasible for many expats, although careful financial planning remains essential.
Public Dining:
- Budget restaurant: 40 AED
- Mid-range restaurant (two people): 250 AED
- Fast-food restaurant: 35 AED
Groceries:
- Milk (1 litre): 6.8 AED
- Bread (0.5 kg): 5.1 AED
- Eggs (12): 11 AED
- Hard cheese (1 kg): 35.4 AED
- Meat (chicken or beef, 1 kg): 31 AED / 42 AED
- Fruit (apples, oranges, 1 kg): 8.5 AED / 6.7 AED
- Vegetables (tomatoes, potatoes, onions, 1 kg): 5.4 AED / 4 AED / 4.8 AED
Transport:
- Public transport (single trip / monthly pass): 5 AED / 200 AED
- Taxi (base fare, 1 km, 1 hour wait): 12 AED / 2.5 AED / 30 AED
- Personal transport (1 litre of petrol / Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6L): 2.88 AED / 81.93k AED
Utilities:
- Basic package (electricity, heating, water, rubbish collection for an 85 m² flat): 670 AED
- Mobile phone: 215 AED
- Internet (60 Mbps): 372 AED
Children’s Expenses:
- Nursery, full-day childcare (monthly): 2,500 AED
- Primary school (annual): 42,300 AED
Salaries, Tax Burden
Income levels depend on the emirate, position, experience, qualifications, and industry. Finding a job in Dubai after relocating is possible (if candidate requirements are met), but it might not happen immediately. Jobs that require fewer skills are paid less because of significant competition from workers from Asia and Africa.
Basic Dubai Figures (from Salary Expert):
- Average salary (hour, month, year): 92.21 AED / 15,980 AED / 191,800 AED
- Experience-based increments (2.5–5 years, 5–10 years, 10–15 years): 32% / 36% / 21%
- Minimum monthly salary (university graduate, technician, experienced worker): up to 12,000 AED / from 7,000 AED / around 5,000 AED
Average Salaries by Emirate:
- Dubai: 15,980 AED
- Sharjah: 15,000 AED
- Abu Dhabi: 15,300 AED
- Ajman: 14,100 AED
Personal Taxation
There is no personal income tax in the UAE. As a result, you do not file any tax returns or register as a taxpayer. The only exception involves engaging in business activities. If you run a business in the UAE after relocating, you may be liable for corporate tax if your turnover is at least one million AED.
Excluded from the taxable base:
- Salary
- Personal investment income
- Income from property investments
Conclusion and Key Takeaways
Relocating to Dubai is achievable and can change your life for the better. The United Arab Emirates offers favourable conditions for expats, and Islamic traditions have minimal impact on most people’s daily routines. Over 90% of the UAE’s population are foreign nationals, and the government actively welcomes skilled newcomers who can boost the economy. You can run a successful business, raise a family, and explore new horizons by learning about the region’s history and culture.
Be aware that living in the UAE differs from what many expats know in Europe, the Americas, or Asia. You may encounter challenges during and after relocating. These typically involve climate, local customs, or legal norms.
You can reduce potential risks by preparing carefully. Planning a smooth move without expert guidance is difficult. If you have questions, feel free to contact our specialists for personalised advice.
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