Pros and cons of living in Dubai
Discover the pros and cons of living in Dubai in our handy guide, including tips for relocating from the UK and the best neighbourhoods to live in the city.
Moving to Dubai from the UK: A complete guide
Dreaming of a new life in Dubai? Dubai promises a high standard of living in a clean, safe and luxurious city with world-class infrastructure. This is also a city of boundless professional opportunities, along with high-end shopping, dining and incredible high-rise housing.
In this guide, we’ll run through all the essentials you need to know about moving to Dubai from the UK. This includes how to get a visa for the UAE, find somewhere to live and helpful info about the cost of living in the city state.
We’ll also point out a cost-effective way to manage your money across borders from Wise. Open a Wise account and you can send money between the UK and Dubai for low fees* and at the mid-market exchange rate.
Learn more about the Wise account 🌍
Want to take your savings with you? Wise can also help you with large transfers to and from the United Arab Emirates. Simply email our expert team or request a call back below.
Can you move to Dubai from the UK?
Yes, you can move to Dubai from the UK, but you’ll need a residence visa in order to live and work there.1
Those applying for a residence visa will also need to take a blood test, checking for diseases like hepatitis, HIV and tuberculosis. If you’re positive for any of these, you’ll be deported back to the UK.2
Moving to Dubai from the UK
The process of moving to Dubai from the UK is the same post-Brexit as it was before. To relocate there, you’ll need to qualify for one of the available visas.
Luckily, English is widely spoken in Dubai, especially in business settings. However, it’s still a good idea to learn some basic Arabic, as it’s the official language and used in government documents.
How to get a Dubai visa?
Depending on the purpose of your move, there are various visa options for UK expats. These are the four main visa types:
- Work visa
- Remote work visa
- Green visa
- Golden visa3
The exact documents and requirements depend on the type of visa.
For example, obtaining the work visa requires sponsorship from an employer based in the UAE, while the remote work visa has specific financial requirements.3
Freelancers and skilled workers might also want to consider the Green visa, which is issued for five years.4
How to move to Dubai from the UK?
The best way to move to Dubai depends on your individual circumstances. If you plan to work in the UAE, one of the easiest options is to secure a job with a local employer who can sponsor your visa.
If you’d like to make an investment in Dubai, their Golden visa allows you to live, work and study in the UAE. The exact requirements depend on the investment, but you’ll generally need to provide proof of investment in a fund or proof of property purchase.5
What’s the cheapest way to get to Dubai from the UK?
The best way to get to Dubai from the UK is by plane. The cheapest month for flying from London is September, when average ticket prices are around £179.6
If you’re not flexible on dates, your flight could be much more expensive. For example, a one-way ticket from London to Dubai can cost over £300 in April.6
Wise can help you save money on travel costs, especially when you’re paying in a foreign currency. With the mid-market exchange rate and low, upfront fees*, you’ll be able to make the most out of your money.
The Wise card can be used for everything from everyday shopping to buying flight tickets for Dubai.
How to transport your things
The easiest way to move your things to Dubai is through a professional moving company, as they stay up to date with import regulations.
Air freight, groupage containers and sole-use containers are the main shipping options. Air freight is the fastest, but shared containers are a great way to split the shipping costs.7
Here are some companies you could consult:
Wise can be very useful when paying for a moving company. It allows you to send, receive and spend in both British pounds and UAE dirhams. With transparent, low fees* and transactions at the mid-market exchange rate, you get the best value for your money.
Living in Dubai - what you need to know
Let’s have a look at some quick facts about Dubai if you’d like to move there:
| 💰 Currency: | United Arab Emirates dirham (AED) |
|---|---|
| 🗣️ Main language: | Arabic |
| 👥 Population: | 3,094,6408 |
| 🇬🇧 Number of British expats: | over 240,0001 |
| 🧭 Popular expat destinations: | Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Downtown Dubai |
Cost of living - how much money do you need to move to Dubai?
The cost of living in the UAE is generally lower compared to the UK, except when it comes to rent.9 However, when comparing Dubai and London, all aspects of life are more expensive in the UK capital.10
To give you an idea of average prices in Dubai, here are a few examples of everyday and monthly expenses compared to the equivalent cost in London:
- A three-course meal for two people costs around £59 in Dubai, while it’s £80 in London
- A monthly public transport pass is approx. £63, compared to £186 in London
- Rent for a one-bedroom city centre apartment is around £1,842, compared to £2,191 in London
- Utilities for a typical apartment are around £166 per month, compared to £245 in London10
Learn more about life in the UAE in our guide below.
Opening a Dubai bank account
Dubai is the financial hub of the Middle East, so it has a thriving banking scene and lots of different account providers to choose from.
In general, you can open a bank account in Dubai once you get a residency visa, although there are some Dubai banks that have non-resident account options.
One of them is Emirates NBD, which has packages for expats who meet salary and minimum balance requirements.3
The requirements vary from bank to bank, but you’ll generally need:
- Your passport
- A copy of your visa
- A letter or salary certificate from your employer or visa sponsor
- Your Emirates ID card (if applicable)11
In some cases, you might also be asked for a reference letter from your previous bank, a recent utility bill or recent bank statements.11
You also might be able to keep your UK bank account after moving, but this depends on your bank. For example, Barclays will generally close both your current and savings accounts once you move abroad.12
As an alternative to a bank account, check out the Wise account. You can use it to send, receive and spend in multiple currencies, including British pounds and UAE dirhams.
Opening a Wise account is pretty straightforward and you can open it before you even leave the UK.
Finding a job in Dubai
To get a work visa in Dubai, you’ll need to be sponsored by an employer based in the UAE. If you work remotely, there’s a remote work visa which allows you to live in Dubai for up to a year. You must meet certain requirements, such as having health insurance and earning at least 12,856 AED a month.3
The five-year Green visa allows you to work in Dubai without the need for a UAE sponsor.4
Freelancers and self-employed individuals must provide evidence of an annual income of at least 360,000 AED, along with a freelance or self-employment permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.4
Skilled workers applying for the Green visa need an employment contract, proof of a monthly salary of at least 15,000 AED and their occupation must fall under the first, second or third skill level as classified by the Ministry.4
Entrepreneurs might also qualify for the five-year UAE Golden visa. The requirements include:
- A letter from a UAE-based auditor confirming that the project is valued at least 500,000 AED
- Approval from the emirate authorities confirming the project is of a technical or future-oriented nature
- A letter from an accredited business incubator supporting the proposed activity5
If you still don’t have a job in Dubai, you need to start job-hunting right away. Here are a few handy places to start your search:
Renting or buying property in Dubai
Finding somewhere to live is going to be at the top of your to-do list for moving to Dubai from the UK, along with getting your visa sorted.
You don’t need to be a UAE citizen to buy property in Dubai. However, you will only be able to buy freehold property in certain designated areas as an expat. There’s no age limit for owning property in Dubai.13
Prefer to rent instead? This is a popular option among newcomers to Dubai, offering a roof over your head as soon as you arrive. You’ll usually need to pay rent annually and pay a security deposit, which is 5-10% of the annual rent.14
To find houses and apartments to rent in Dubai, you could register with a local estate agent and have them search for a suitable rental property on your behalf. You could also start by looking at these sites:
Given the high costs involved in renting or buying abroad, it makes sense to find a provider with low fees* and transparent pricing. Wise may save you money, especially on currency conversion fees on larger amounts. Our dedicated team of experts can help assist you with every step of your transfer. Simply email us or request a call back below.
Healthcare system in Dubai: How it works for UK expats
Dubai has an excellent healthcare system, which is a mix of public and private. Both expats and UAE citizens must have health insurance.15
If you’re working in Dubai, your company will provide private health insurance for all employees, including expats. Expats with lower salaries, as well as non-working residents and children, can get basic medical care coverage through the Essential Benefits Plan (EBP).15
To access public healthcare, you’ll need a health card. This is what you need to apply:
- Your Emirates ID number
- Passport information and two passport photos
- Residence visa
- A copy of your tenancy contract
- A 320 AED fee (120 AED for children under 10).15
Emigrating to Dubai with a family
Here’s what you should know when moving to Dubai with a family:
Schools and education
Education in Dubai is mandatory between the ages of 5 and 15 and around 90% of schools are private. Expats can access public education, but it’s in Arabic and only free for citizens.16
Besides the University of Dubai, there are 26 international branch campuses of universities from other countries, including the UK.16
Having a baby in Dubai
Dubai has excellent maternity care and female-only clinics. Public hospitals like Latifa Hospital are great, but public insurance won’t cover all maternity care costs.15
In order to register with a clinic or hospital, you’ll need your health card, passport and visa, but also your marriage certificate. Giving birth without being married isn’t possible in Dubai.15
Bringing your pets
These are the documents needed for bringing your pet to Dubai:
- UAE pet import permit
- Copy of your passport
- Original animal passport or vaccination card
- Health certificate
- Certificate for Rabies Serum Neutralisation Test (RSNT)
- The minimum titer of 0.5 IU/ml17
Certain dog breeds, such as the American Staffordshire Terrier and Japanese Tosa, are prohibited from entering the UAE.17
Retiring in Dubai: What are your options?
Let’s take a look at your best visa options for retiring in Dubai.
Retirement visas
The Dubai Residence visa for the retired is made for individuals who meet certain financial requirements.
For example, the retiree must own a property of at least 1 million AED, have savings no less than 1 million AED or have a monthly income of 15,000 AED.18
The visa is issued for five years and it can be renewed.18
Transferring your pensions
If you retire in Dubai, you can also claim your UK state pension there. You can ask for it to be paid into a UK bank account or a Dubai one, in which case you’ll be paid in UAE dirhams. You can choose how often you’ll get paid - anywhere from 4 to 13 weeks. Contact the International Pension Centre to get the most recent information.19
Checklist for moving to Dubai from the UK
Let’s go through some of the most important steps of moving to Dubai from the UK:
- Research visa options, gather your documents and apply for your visa
- Find somewhere to live
- Get a job sorted, unless you have a position lined up or want to wait until you arrive
- Get quotes for shipping your things to Dubai
- Start researching Dubai banks
- Get your private healthcare insurance cover sorted
- Tell HMRC that you’re leaving the UK
- Book your flight
Save on your relocation costs to Dubai with Wise
Relocating abroad involves various expenses, including visa applications, health insurance and rental deposits.
Open a Wise account and you can send money between the UK and Dubai for low, transparent fees* and the mid-market exchange rate. It’s not a bank account but offers many similar features.
You can also use Wise once you arrive in your new home. You can spend in UAE dirhams from the moment you step off the plane using your Wise card.
It works in more than 150+ countries and automatically converts your pounds to the local currency, only adding a tiny, upfront currency conversion fee*.
Remember, if you’re moving to Dubai or anywhere else in the world, Wise can help with sending or receiving large amounts, our dedicated team of experts are ready to help with every step of your transfer. Simply email the team or request a call back below.
Sources used:
1. The Progeny Group - moving to Dubai
2. Gov.uk - UAE entry requirements
3. Titan Wealth International - moving to Dubai from the UK
4. UAE Government - residence work visa
5. UAE Government - Golden visa
6. Skyscanner - London to Dubai flights
7. Clockwork Removals - moving to Dubai from the UK
8. World Population Review - Dubai population
9. Numbeo - cost of living in the UAE compared to the UK
10. Numbeo - cost of living in Dubai compared to London
11. Expatica - opening a bank account in the UAE
12. Barclays - living outside the UK
13. UAE Government - buying property in the UAE
14. Luxfolio Real Estate - renting in Dubai
15. International Citizens Insurance - healthcare in Dubai
16. Aetna International - education in Dubai
17. Bayut - pet relocation to Dubai
18. UAE Government - residence visa for the retired
19. Gov.uk - State Pension if you retire abroad
Sources last checked on date: 25-Jul-2025
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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