Whether you’re looking to advance your professional career, improve your lifestyle, or benefit from some of the many financial and social rewards on offer, moving from the UK to Dubai could be one of the best decisions you ever make.
An exciting prospect for many UK residents, the vibrant United Arab Emirates (UAE) city is already home to more than 240,000 British expats, according to statistics published by Teaching Abroad.
From visa and immigration requirements to legal considerations, this essential guide explains how to relocate to Dubai from the UK.
Here’s what we’ll tell you:
- Can a UK citizen move to Dubai?
- How easy is it to move to Dubai from the UK?
- How much money do you need to relocate to Dubai?
- Where do Brits live in Dubai?
- Is it easy to get a job in Dubai?
- What is the average salary in Dubai?
- Is Dubai tax-free for UK citizens?
- Do I pay tax on my UK pension if I live in Dubai?
Can a UK citizen move to Dubai?
Yes, of course; with hundreds of thousands of UK expats already calling Dubai home, the city welcomes UK citizens.
However, they must meet certain requirements, such as holding a valid visa to stay in the city for an extended period of time.
Typically, UK citizens can obtain a relevant visa by securing work in the city or establishing their own business in Dubai.
As leading experts in global mobility and business solutions since 2005, our relocation services are well-suited to supporting you through this process.
Essential Facts
- Currency – UAE Dirham (AED)
- Main languages – Arabic, English
- Population – 3.79 million
- Religion – Islam
- Governance – Monarchy
How easy is it to move to Dubai from the UK?
For those considering moving to Dubai from the UK, one of the most commonly asked questions they have is: “Is it easy to relocate to Dubai?”.
Typically, you’ll need:
- A passport that’s valid for at least six months from the date of entry
- A residence visa (usually obtained through work, education, or investment in property)
- A mandatory medical examination to obtain a Medical Fitness Certificate (MFC)
Visas and employment
Visitor and tourist visas are provided free of charge for UAE arrivals, but you cannot legally work in Dubai on a tourist visa.
Employer-sponsored work visa
The most common option is an employer-sponsored work visa lasting two years.
An employer should handle this on your behalf after you accept a job offer, and have an employment contract.
Golden visa
To obtain a Golden visa with EER’s assistance, you must fall into one of three desired categories:
- Professional – Living and working in the UAE for the same company for two years
- Property – Property value must be AED 2 million (approximately £399,100) or more per person. For a couple to qualify, their jointly owned property must have a value of at least AED 4 million.
- Fixed deposit – AED 2 million in fixed deposit with a local bank
Each category and emirate have different qualifying criteria.
For example, in Dubai, the authorities will accept financed properties of at least AED 2 million in value, as long as at least 50% has been paid (subject to bank approval).
Need help navigating Dubai’s Golden visa requirements?
Our international relocation team provides tailored assessments and Golden visa pathway recommendations after taking into account your personal and financial circumstances.
This type of extended residence visa permits the holder to live in the UAE for 10 years without a local sponsor and comes with additional benefits, such as spending up to 12 consecutive months outside of the UAE and unlimited domestic worker sponsorship.
Retirement visa
Lasting five years and available for expatriate individuals, aged 55 or older, and who are ready to retire from work, the UAE Retirement visa is eligible via:
- Property investment – Property purchased to the value of at least AED 1 million (roughly £200,300)
- Fixed deposit – AED 1 million (roughly £200,300) savings in a three-year fixed deposit
- Salary – Sustainable monthly income of at least AED 15,000 (around £3,000)
Medical examinations
To be eligible to apply for a work or residency visa in Dubai, applicants must be free from all forms of communicable diseases, as per official UAE guidance.
To determine this, they must undergo an examination at a medical fitness centre where they will be screened for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B and C, and will also need to complete liver function tests and have a chest x-ray.
Women also need to take a pregnancy blood test.
After successfully completing the necessary tests and fees, you should receive your Medical Fitness Certificate.
You can learn more about this process from the Emirates Health Services.
Valid passport
Crucially, your passport must have a minimum validity of six months from the date you plan to arrive in Dubai.
You may need to renew your passport to abide by this guidance, which you should take into consideration when making travel arrangements.
Based on current UK passport processing times, it typically takes at least three weeks to turn around. However, this process can be prolonged if an interview or more information is required.
How much money do you need to relocate to Dubai?
If you want to relocate to Dubai from the UK, you’ll need to know how much it’s likely to cost.
Between the initial relocation expenses (such as deposits, flights, and shipping fees) to the ongoing cost of living in Dubai, these costs can quickly add up.
The specialist overseas moving company, 1st Move International, advises that this move will cost in the region of £10,000 and £20,000.
Naturally, however, this figure will vary depending on the size of your family, where you decide to live, and whether you use a professional moving service.
Where do British nationals live in Dubai?
According to information published by the leading property classifieds website in the UAE, Bayut, British expats gravitate towards areas such as Dubai Marina, Business Bay, Downtown Dubai, Palm Jumeirah and Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR).
Based on searches conducted by Bayut users over a year-long period (2024-2025), Dubai Marina attracted the most interest from British expats looking to buy a flat.
An affluent residential neighbourhood, this area offers stunning waterfront views, a leisure complex, and shopping mall.
Well-suited to families, this area is close to nurseries and schools, with five British curriculum schools located within a few kilometres of Dubai Marina.
Most notably, this includes Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills and Dubai British School Emirates Hills – both of which have achieved the highest government inspection rating of ‘Outstanding’.
In terms of rental costs for the area, Bayut adds that prices vary depending on the configuration of the apartment, with the average cost of a one-bed Dubai Marina rental flat being AED 100k per year (roughly £20,363.30) and a three-bed costing up to AED 256k (around £52,130.05).
Alternatively, if you’re looking for more affordable accommodation in Dubai, Business Bay is a contemporary mixed-use district that’s home to immense skyscrapers, corporate buildings, and residential apartments.
Average rental prices in this area for a one-bed flat are in the region of AED 95k (approx. £19,345.13), according to Bayut.
At the other end of the scale, the Jumeirah Islands, Umm Suqueim, and Arabian Ranches have significantly higher rental costs and are aimed at those searching for a more upscale family lifestyle.
Is it easy to get a job in Dubai?
While the job market in Dubai is considered competitive, it does offer a diverse range of opportunities across various sectors, including healthcare, technology, finance, hospitality, real estate, and construction.
Working with a dedicated recruitment agency can play an important role in helping you to identify and take advantage of specific relocation jobs to Dubai from UK, while additional activities such as networking and improving your understanding of the visa requirements can also give you an edge on the competition.
To further stand out from the crowd, we strongly advise learning more about the city’s culture and becoming proficient in Arabic, the official language of Dubai.
What is the average salary in Dubai?
According to the jobs and recruiting marketplace, Glassdoor, the average salary in Dubai is between AED 4K – AED 13K (£815.04 – £2648.88) per month with a base pay of around AED 6K – which roughly converts to £1,200.
However, based on information provided by the same source, the average salary in Dubai does increase with years of experience.
Focusing on job opportunities in high-demand fields, such as new and emerging technologies, finance, IT, engineering, and healthcare, can also help you achieve a higher salary and career advancement in this city.
Is Dubai tax-free for UK citizens?
In line with the most recent UK government guidance, you will typically only need to pay tax on your foreign income if you’re classed as a UK resident.
However, if you make the move to Dubai, you won’t be required to pay any personal tax (also known as income tax in the UK) on your UAE income.
It’s important to bear in mind, however, that even as a non-UK resident, you will still be required to pay tax on any income that comes from the UK.
For example, if you’re a property investor that lets accommodation in the UK, this income will be eligible for taxation.
Similarly, if you decide to move back to the UK from Dubai, you will then be liable to pay tax on your worldwide earnings.
Do I pay tax on my UK pension if I live in Dubai?
According to the latest government advice on pension tax when living abroad, you may be required to pay tax on your pension as per the rules of country you’ve living in if it’s supplied by a UK provider or you’re still classed as a UK resident for tax purposes.
You can find out more about how to pay tax on your UK pension in line with UAE regulations by reading its tax treaty.
Professional Dubai relocation services
Relocating to Dubai from the UK is undoubtedly a big decision that requires careful planning, consideration, and often professional support – especially if you plan on relocating staff or your organisation, too.
That’s where EER Middle East can help.
Our award-winning team has extensive experience with the process of relocation to the Middle East.
From booking flights and airport transfers to handling employment visas and conducting home searches, you can leave the administrative work to our experts.
Well-versed in corporate compliance and the precise immigration requirements when moving to Dubai from the UK, we play a vital role in the smooth transition of multi-national organisations and small startups, as well as individual assignees to their new life in Dubai.
If you’d like to learn more about how to make the move to Dubai from the UK, or our tailored approach to seamless international relocation, don’t hesitate to talk to our talented team today.
Call: +971 (0)4 421 1819
Email: info@eerme.com
