Moving to Dubai & The UAE from The UK

This guide will tell you everything you need to know if you’re considering moving from the UK to Dubai and the UAE – from visa requirements to cost of living differences; healthcare top tips to rules about moving country with your pets – helping you to feel empowered when the time comes to make the big move.

Quick Dubai Facts:

Population: 3.331 million (2019 estimate)
Official Language: Arabic (de facto), with English being widely spoken
GDP Per Capita: $49,451 USD (2023 estimate)
Random Fact: The Burj Al Arab Hotel uses almost 2,000 square metres of 24-carat gold leaf as decoration within the interiors of the building
Currency: Emirati Dirham (AED, Dh). As of late 2023, $1 USD = 3.67 AED, €1 EUR = 4.01 AED, $1 CAD = 2.68 AED, $1 AUD = 2.41 AED, £1 GBP = 4.61 AED

Sections

1. Moving Costs to Dubai & The UAE From the UK

Below are some sample moving costs to Dubai and the UAE from various UK cities. It assumes a small move (1-2 bed). Larger moves will be more expensive.

	London	Manchester	Birmingham	Liverpool
From / To
Dubai	£2000.00	£2120.00	£2056.00	£2080.00
Abu Dhabi	£2080.00	£2200.00	£2136.00	£2160.00
Sharjah	£2040.00	£2160.00	£2096.00	£2120.00
Ajman	£1984.00	£2104.00	£2040.00	£2064.00

2. How Long Does It Take To Move to Dubai and the UAE from the United Kingdom?

Let’s take a look at some sample flight times from the UK to Dubai and the UAE to give you an idea of the time it might take to get from A to B.

London Heathrow to Dubai – 7 hours, 17 minutes – £380
London Heathrow to Abu Dhabi – 7 hours, 19 minutes – £250
London Gatwick to Dubai – 7 hours, 16 minutes – £350
London Gatwick to Abu Dhabi – 7 hours, 17 minutes – £145
Edinburgh to Dubai – 7 hours, 38 minutes – £380
Edinburgh to Abu Dhabi – 7 hours, 40 minutes – £450

This duration covers the flight time only, so additional time will need to be added to get you from the terminal to your final location.

3. Moving Restrictions to Dubai and the UAE from the UK

Moving from one country to take up residency in another will incur various restrictions – most notably, this comes in the form of visa requirements, which we will cover in the next section.

You will need a visa if you want to gain entry to the UAE to either live or work there. If you have an employer already set up, they will arrange your resident’s visa, as well as your Emirates ID and your Labour Card.

We will cover this in more detail later, but you will need to take out private medical insurance for your time in the UAE. If you are bringing pets, you will need various vaccinations and forms, as well as an import permit to allow for legal transfer.

There is no income tax in Dubai, nor is there any capital gains tax, but VAT is still charged on tax-registered businesses.

There are currently no COVID-19 restrictions, but these could change and travellers are advised to keep up-to-date with the latest developments and changes in this law.

For those needing to travel with medication, you must ensure the medication is on the UAE’s prohibited list to avoid any issues. Approval may need to be applied for in advance, which can be accessed here.

4. Visa Requirements to Dubai and the UAE from the UK

Alongside a valid UK passport, you will need a visa to grant you entry into Dubai and the UAE. Gov.uk will carry the most up-to-date information for you to look at.

Your passport needs to be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from your entry date into the UAE. British passport holders will be granted a free-of-charge visitor’s visa upon arrival, which doesn’t need to be applied for in advance.

If you don’t have the right visa in place and you intend to work in the UAE, you can face imprisonment and fines, so you must get everything ironed out before your visit to ensure you have the correct paperwork in place.

For those wanting a residence visa, a blood test will be required. If you have HIV or hepatitis, you will be denied entry, detained and then deported, with no appeal process.

If you want to leave the UAE permanently, but have a work visa in place for longer than your stay duration, you need to cancel this before leaving else you can face arrest if you return to the UAE.

In all cases, you need to speak to a visa specialist to advise you on your individual circumstances and always keep up to date with the latest changes in the rules.

5. Cost of Living Differences in Dubai and the UAE

While this article is covering the UAE as a whole, house prices will obviously vary from area to area but the figures below will give you an indication of what’s available at what price.

As a general note, it is estimated that the cost of living in the UAE is 24.3% lower than that of the UK, with rent being around 27.9% cheaper.

Monthly Rental Prices in Dubai and the UAE:

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: 7,350+ AED
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: 4,290+ AED
3 bedroomed flat in City Centre: 14,400+ AED
3 bedroomed flat outside the City Centre: 9,600+ AED

Dubai and the UAE Home Purchase Prices:

Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: 14,950+ AED
Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside the City: 9,250+ AED

Source: Numbeo

6. Tax Treaties in Dubai and the UAE

There is no personal income tax payable in the UAE. This means that individuals working in Dubai or other locations within the UAE will not pay income tax on any salary.

Similarly, there is no corporate tax payable, but some certain areas – such as oil and gas – may be subject to different taxation rules. Since 2018, there has been Value Added Tax (VAT) payable on most goods and services, totalling 5%, but some industries don’t need to pay this.

These regulations can change with time, and it’s important to stay up-to-date with any updates to ensure you are working within the law to avoid fines or other issues.

7. Working Rules in Dubai and the UAE

There are several residence visas available for individuals wanting to work in the UAE. These include, but are not limited to:

Standard work visa
Green visa
Golden visa
Domestic worker’s visa

A standard work visa is usually for two years and is issued for those employed in the private sector, in the government sector or a free zone. In these instances, the employer must apply for the visa on the holder’s behalf.

The green visa is a type of residence visa which allows the holder to sponsor themselves for 5 years – meaning no UAE national or employer needs to sponsor the visa. Freelancers, self-employed and skilled employees can apply for these – a full list of these industries can be found at u.ae.

The golden visa allows for long-term residence in the UAE suitable for foreign talents. These individuals include, but are not limited to, according to u.ae:

Investors and entrepreneurs
Outstanding students and graduates
Scientists

You cannot work in the UAE without an appropriate working visa. This is deemed illegal and will carry various fines and punishments, so it is important to understand everything thoroughly before arriving in the country.

8. Healthcare in Dubai and the UAE

The UAE has a mixed healthcare picture, with both public and private care being offered. While UAE nationals will receive free universal healthcare in Dubai and Abu Dhabi as long as they have taken out their mandatory health insurance, expats will need to have their private insurance to cover any necessary medical expenses.

The system is renowned as the best in the Middle East and is known for quality care. If expats do not take out private health insurance, there may be a fine applicable of up to AED 500 per month.

If you are working in the UAE, it’s common to see your employer or sponsor taking out the medical insurance on your behalf – which can sometimes include your family if applicable – but if you are unemployed you will need to take this out yourself.

To be eligible for healthcare, you will need a health card. There are plenty of facilities to choose from, so you just need to choose a provider that gives you the type of coverage you need while you’re in the UAE.

9. Rules Around Moving With Pets in Dubai and the UAE

Moving house includes lots of boxes of belongings – but it can also include some particularly important furry friends, too! If you need to move to Dubai and the UAE with a pet in tow, here’s what you need to know.

There are several requirements for pets entering the UAE from the UK. According to Pets Abroad, these include:

Up-to-date annual health vaccinations
Microchipped with an ISO-compatible chip
Be vaccinated against rabies within 21 days of flying
Have original health certificates with them when they fly
Have an import permit to enter the UAE

On a granular level, dogs will need to be vaccinated against:

Distemper
Hepatitis
ParvoVirus
Leptospirosis

While cats will need vaccinations for:

Panleukopenia
Rhinotracheitis
Calicivirus

The pets must also have visited a vet to be assessed as fit to fly, and have a DEFRA export health certificate filled out, as well as being treated for parasites with a certificate to prove this.

Failure to follow these restrictions can have grave consequences – the confiscation of your pet – as well as various fines. It’s best to follow everything to the letter and to ask questions at any stage of your move if you are at all unsure of anything.

10. Similar Cities

There are significant comparisons to be drawn between Dubai and Doha, the capital of Qatar, owing to the economic prosperity of both locations and modern infrastructure.

Dubai is known for a luxurious lifestyle, and this is mirrored in Doha which is similarly full of high-end shopping locations and amenities. The landscape looks similar as both contain a multitude of skyscrapers and modern infrastructure, with ambitious architecture seen in both locations.

Doha has had significant economic growth and is rapidly becoming a major business and financial centre – similar to Dubai which is known for its diverse economy and international businesses.

Both cities rank highly for personal safety, with low crime rates. Dubai is more expensive than Doha.

11. Pros and Cons of Moving to Dubai and the UAE from the UK

Perhaps you’re moving for a new job opportunity, or just want to try out a completely different country and climate – whatever your reason for wanting to move from the UK to the UAE, let’s take a look at some of the main pros and cons associated with moving.

Advantages of Moving from the UK to Dubai	Disadvantages of Moving from the UK to Dubai
Tax Benefits: Dubai offers a tax-free income environment, providing potential savings for expatriates	Cultural Adjustment: Adapting to a different cultural and social environment may pose challenges
Economic Opportunities: Dubai is a hub for business and trade, providing diverse job opportunities and a thriving economy	High Living Costs: While salaries may be competitive, the cost of living in Dubai, especially in terms of housing and schooling, can be relatively high
Luxurious Lifestyle: Dubai is known for its luxury amenities, high-end shopping and world-class entertainment	Harsh Climate: The extremely hot climate during summer months may be challenging for individuals not accustomed to such conditions
Expatriate Community: Dubai has a diverse expatriate community, creating a multicultural environment with various networking opportunities	Temporary Residency: Expatriates generally live in Dubai on a temporary basis and long-term residency options may be limited

Whatever you decide, you must understand the legal factors affecting your move – be sure to check the United Arab Emirates Government portal for all the information you need.