The Global Expat HubCountries / United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
Tax-free salaries, effortless admin and a population that is nearly nine-tenths foreign born.
RegionMiddle East
CapitalAbu Dhabi
CurrencyUAE dirham
LanguageArabic (English widely used)
Expat saturationVery high (88% foreign born)
Living cost · Mid-rangefrom $2,200/mo
Drone reel · 4K · muted loop
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🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates from aboveUnited Arab Emirates in 60 secondsAerials of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah. Replace this slot with the video element; the text stays overlaid.
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HHarbor & Vale Health
Cover that follows you to United Arab Emirates.
International health insurance from $89/month. Pre-existing conditions considered.
See plans →Rated 4.8 · 12,000 reviews
Sample creative · fictional advertiserYour moveSets your plan and the listings on flights, hotels, rentals, furnishings, moving and retirement.
Your plan for United Arab Emirates checklist · timeline · cost breakdown
Affordable move$11,400estimated first-year setup · about 33 weeksMid-range move$22,750estimated first-year setup · about 28 weeksLuxury move$65,100estimated first-year setup · about 20 weeksRetirement move$33,100estimated setup incl. visa, insurance and advice · about 48 weeks
Estimates for one adult before ongoing rent and living costs; couples and families scale up. Tap a plan for the full breakdown.
United Arab Emirates by the numbers editorial estimates in US dollars
Worth of the dollar$1 ≈ AED3.671 UAE dirham (pegged) ≈ $0.272 · snapshot, changes daily · Current rate ↗
Utilities · 85 m² flat$230/moElectric, water, sewer & garbage
Home internet$95/moBroadband, typical plan
Wi-Fi & connectivity score92/100Median fixed broadband ≈ 280 Mbps
Internet reliability90/100Very dependable; rare drops or outages
English day-to-dayHighHow far English gets you
Remote-work time zonePartial EUPartial EU, hard for US
Phone & eSIM$45/moLocal plan · travel eSIM ≈ $25/10 GB
Walkability of cities36/100Car-dependent outside a few districts
Air quality38/100Dust and traffic keep PM levels high; indoor air is generally filtered
Healthy food & food safety64/100Strict import controls; halal required; additive rules broadly aligned to Codex/EU
Severe weather & hazards25/100 riskExtreme heat, dust storms, rare flash floods; no earthquakes or hurricanes
Drive on theRightLeft-hand-drive cars · Licence & vehicles →
Time zoneGST (UTC+4)GST (UTC+4); 9 hours ahead of New York in winter
Literacy98%Adult literacy rate
Cost to give birthNo public option for expats; private $6,000–12,000, insurance mandatoryNo public option for expats; private $6,000–12,000, insurance mandatory
Rural landFreehold zones onlyper acre · Freehold zones only; rural land not sold to foreigners
Beauty of cities72/100Architecture, setting, upkeep and green space
Petrol / fuel$0.75/L≈ $2.84 per US gallon
Doctor visit$80Basic clinic visit, paid privately
Emergency room$400Uninsured visit, before treatment
Dentist$110 / $150Check-up & cleaning / one filling
Life expectancy79 yrsAt birth
Unemployment3%National rate
Remote work & digital nomadsWelcomedVirtual Working Programme: 1-year remote-work visa on $3,500/mo income
🌤️ Climate
Hot desert; very hot and humid Jun–Sep (40°C+), pleasant Nov–Mar. Almost no rain.
Winter · Jan19°C66°F
Spring · Apr27°C81°F
Summer · Jul36°C97°F
Autumn · Oct30°C86°F
Mean temperatures for Dubai.
🌧️ Rain & snow
Rainfall about 100 mm (4 in) a year.
Snow None.
⚖️ The law
Official legislationUAE Legislation portal ↗
OverviewLaw of United Arab Emirates on Wikipedia ↗
Driving On the right. Licence rules →
🏛️ Taxes
Property tax None; 4% transfer fee on purchase (Dubai).
Local & regional income tax None; no personal income tax.
🎓 University
Not free; $15–30k/yr at branch campuses.
📱 Phone & eSIM
Carriers Etisalat (e&), du.
Average cost Local SIM or eSIM with generous data about $45/month; a 30-day travel eSIM (Airalo, Holafly, Saily and similar) around $25 for 10 GB.
🎁 Schemes to attract expats
- Zero personal income tax
- Golden Visa 10 years for investors, professionals, talent
- Green visa for freelancers and skilled workers
- Retirement visa for over-55s with property or savings
Figures are national averages for planning, not quotes; big cities run higher. Tax schemes change often and carry conditions. Verify before you rely on them.
Official sources for United Arab Emirates embassies, warnings, law and reference
US Embassy in United Arab Emirates↗All embassies and consulates in United Arab Emirates↗US State Department travel advisory↗UK FCDO travel advice↗UAE Legislation portal↗Law of United Arab Emirates (Wikipedia)↗United Arab Emirates on Wikipedia↗Visit Dubai (official tourism board)↗World Health Organization country profile↗Numbeo cost-of-living data↗
Government, intergovernmental and reference sites only; no reviews or opinion. Links open in a new tab.
Ratings & warnings independent
Visa informationTypes, step-by-step application, where to applyPassport renewalOfficial renewal links and timingLiveability scoreThe rating and what drives itSafety ratingCrime, stability and what the number meansTravel warningsState Department and UN advisories, liveRegional information & cuisineWhere to live and what you'll eatCommunity & meetupsFinding your people
Follows your Mid-range tier partner listings match your budget
FlightsGateways, routes and fares for your research tripHotels & accommodationWhere to stay while you scout, with videoRental propertiesNeighbourhoods, prices and how renting worksFurnishings & home setupFurniture, appliances, utilities and internetMoving & shippingGetting your life across the oceanRetirementVisas, costs and where retirees settle
Services & daily life one labelled partner per page
Airport taxis & transfersOfficial cabs, apps, rail links and faresTransportationGetting around, driving and licencesTrains, buses & ticketsIntercity travel and where to bookSchoolsInternational, bilingual and local optionsChild care & nanniesNurseries, nannies, au pairs and costsUniversitiesDegrees, fees and student visasPets: vets, boarding & relocationBringing animals, finding a vet and careLanguage classesLearning before and after you landBest restaurantsWhere locals and expats actually eatHospitals & healthcare accessHow to see a doctor, hospitals, insuranceBanking & money transferAccounts, transfers and currencyTax & legal helpResidency, treaties and who to hireJobs boardRoles open to foreigners, updated weeklyCoworking & remote workWork rights, spaces and freelancing
Rated & officialPartners in three tiersOne labelled partner
Life in United Arab Emirates faith, wellbeing, shopping and play
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Interested in where astrology says you should live?Click here for more info on astrocartography and United Arab Emirates.
Click here →🕊️ Religious servicesChurches, mosques, synagogues, temples and more🧘 Wellness & spiritualityYoga, retreats, meditation, spas and practitioners🛍️ Retail recommendationsWhere to shop for clothes, tech, homeware and gifts🧺 Groceries & marketsSupermarkets, local markets and what things cost🥾 Recreation & tour guidesOutdoors, sport, day trips and licensed guides📱 Phone & eSIMCarriers, eSIMs, plans and what they cost⛴️ Boats & ferriesFerry routes, marinas, boat rental and ownership🏖️ Beaches, lakes & riversSwimming, water quality and the best spots🚗 Vehicles & driving licenceRent or buy a car, and how to get a local licence🖼️ Art galleries, museums & librariesWhat's free, what costs, and where to start Holidays & festivalsNational holidays, closures and the festivals worth planning around
Holidays & festivalsNational holidays, closures and the festivals worth planning aroundJobs board · United Arab Emirates
Search for jobs for free, or post a job for $100 USD.
Roles open to foreigners in United Arab Emirates: remote work you can do from Dubai, and in-person jobs with employers who hire from abroad. Free for job seekers, always. Employers pay a flat $100 per listing, live for 60 days.
Latest listings. Example listings shown until the first real posts go live.
Example · Senior Software Engineer (React / Node)Northwind Labs · Remote, US or EU hours
$95,000–130,000USD
Example · English Teacher (adults & business)International Language Centre · Dubai · in person
AED8,100–AED12,000/moAED