The quality of living available to expats in the UAE is extraordinary. There are up-to-date lodging and healthcare options, reputable international schools, and advanced infrastructure. Additionally, there is a ton of entertainment to be had in the exciting cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. This features wonderful beaches, water activities, indoor skiing, top-notch dining options, and expansive retail centers.
But all of this has a cost. In recent years, the cost of living has gone up. While incomes for expats are still substantial, the benefits packages aren’t as extensive as they once were.
Accommodation in the UAE
Although UAE rental prices have stabilized in recent years, lodging will probably remain to be your major outlay. Formal housing allowances are less prevalent than they were a few years ago, even though many companies provide accommodation for foreign staff.
To rent a home in this country, you must have a residency visa. You will require your passport, visa, address evidence, and employment verification while signing the lease.
There are many home options available and the housing quality is very excellent. Apartments frequently include communal amenities including a gym, sauna, and swimming pool. Villas in a compound frequently contain facilities including a restaurant, tennis court, gym, and medical center.
Housing is offered in both furnished and unfurnished forms. Be prepared for significant start-up charges if you pick this option because many unfurnished flats lack basic equipment. As a result of the UAE’s transient population, there is a thriving second-hand market where expats sell their furniture and appliances before returning home. These are publicized verbally or on other classified websites.
Local culture in the UAE
Even though the UAE is a very multicultural nation, one of the major changes you’ll need to make is to the conservative society. They have a conservative dress code. Expats are not obliged to adhere to this tradition, even though many women wear the customary hijab or abaya. When you’re out in public, it’s still vital to wear modestly and cover your shoulders and legs.
Before, living together was prohibited for unmarried couples in the UAE, and a license was required to purchase alcohol. However, the UAE government recently announced an expansion of personal liberties for both foreigners and citizens of the nation. A license is no longer required to purchase alcohol, and cohabitation between unmarried couples is permitted.
UAE educational system
Children of expats are permitted to enroll in public schools in the UAE, however, unlike locals, they must pay tuition. Most expat parents look into foreign schools because of this and the fact that public school instruction is in Arabic.
The academic year, which is divided into three terms, lasts from September to July. The school week runs from Sunday to Thursday, with different hours for each institution.
The UAE’s health system
Expats must undergo a health examination. The UAE offers a top-notch healthcare system with cutting-edge hospitals. There are both public and private services available, although most foreigners choose private hospitals with English-speaking medical staff. Many doctors are expats themselves or have trained elsewhere.
You must have adequate medical insurance because private healthcare in this country is pricey. To obtain a residence visa in Abu Dhabi, you must have health insurance. You don’t need to worry about paying for medical insurance because employers in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are required by law to offer it to foreign employees.
Cost of living in the UAE
Living expenses are considerable. The costliest cities in the Gulf region are Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Despite the advantageous tax environment, living costs might increase as expats indulge in items they wouldn’t normally purchase at home.
Housing and education are likely to be two of your greatest expenses; rent can consume close to half of your income. Additionally, because it is doubtful that their children would attend public schools, expat parents frequently pay high tuition rates for international schools.