How much does it cost to move to Dubai?

If the warm, dry climate, family-friendly lifestyle, and the pro-business attitude of the UAE has you researching one-way flights to Dubai, then it’s crucial that you understand the potential costs.

It’s no secret that relocating your entire life is rarely cheap, more so when it comes to moving from one continent to another, but exactly how much money do you need to move to Dubai?

How much does it cost to move to Dubai?

Based on information provided by specialist overseas moving company, 1st Move International, relocating to Dubai from the UK costs around £10,000 to £20,000.

This takes into account the initial relocation expenses, including deposits, visa fees, rent, flights, and shipping fees.

However, while these upfront costs can be significant, they can vary depending on several factors.

Which factors impact the cost of moving to Dubai?

Before you make the life-changing decision to relocate to Dubai, some key factors to consider with regards to costs include:

Your desired destination in Dubai

The rental and purchase prices of properties in Dubai are significantly more expensive in some areas than others.

The most desirable regions in Dubai tend to be more luxurious, offering residents access to better amenities, locations, and lifestyles.

If you’re searching for rental property in a prime location, such as Jumeirah Beach or Downtown Dubai, you can expect to pay substantially more than you would for a similar sized property in more affordable areas like International City or Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC).

Opting for more affordable areas may require compromise, such as a longer commute or sending your children to a different choice of school.

The size of your family or business

Naturally, the size of your family or business will also have a significant impact on how much it’ll cost to relocate your life to Dubai because it affects the price of flights, housing, visas, and shipping.

In the same way that relocating a small startup is going to cost far less than moving a multinational organisation with hundreds of staff members, relocating a small family will be more affordable than moving a large, extended family.

Extent of professional moving support

While these services come at a cost, dedicated shipping companies as well as professional relocation support businesses, like EER Middle East, can make the international relocation process smoother and stress-free.

Crucially, our team can even save you money by ensuring you’ve submitted the relevant immigration and corporate compliance documents accurately and on time, helping to avoid any penalties or delays.

Price of private health insurance

In the UK, it’s uncommon to pay for private health insurance due to the country’s publicly-funded healthcare system; the National Health Service (NHS).

In Dubai, expats and foreign residents must obtain private health insurance to cover their medical bills by taking out a policy with one of the private insurance companies operating in the UAE.

If you’re in the country to work, then your employer will take out insurance for you.

Under the new rules, private sector employers are required to cover health insurance costs for their registered workers when they have a residency permit issued (or renewed).

The same applies for employers of domestic workers in the UAE.

Private schooling costs

Similarly, the majority of free, public schools in Dubai are available for native Emiratis only.

UK expats are therefore required to send their children to private schools which, according to the Education Guide, Edarabia, have school fees in the region of AED 12,723 (£2584.28) to AED 64,093 (£13,018.47) per annum.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that this range doesn’t include additional fees for admission, transportation, school uniform, or books.

Contact EER Middle East for seamless Dubai relocation

One of the hardest aspects of relocating your entire life abroad is the sheer volume of questions that need answers.

Where are the best schools for your children? Which neighbourhoods offer the best lifestyle? Which visa do you need and what’s the application process?

At EER Middle East, we can answer these questions for you, allowing you to focus on what matters most – embracing your new life in Dubai.

Our on-the-ground team operates from our UAE headquarters, meaning you can rest assured that we possess the local, regional and international knowledge to take care of every aspect of your Middle East relocation.

To find out more about how we can aid the smooth relocation of your family or business, feel free to contact the experts at EER Middle East today.

Call: +971 (0)4 421 1819
Email: info@eerme.com