United Arab Emirates: Living

Communities of Expatriates

The Number of Expatriates: The expatriate community represents 78.1% of the total population of the UAE. These immigrants are mainly of South Asian origin (Pakistan and India), as well as from Iran, Afghanistan and other Arab countries.
Blogs For Expats: Forum on life in the Emirates
Hotel reservation websites: Emirati society
Immigration Authority: Emirati Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Transportation Companies For Moving/Removals: Choose & Move
Crown Relocations

Cost of Living: According to the latest available edition of the Cost of Living Worldwide City Rankings Survey by Mercer, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are ranked 18th and 43rd respectively out of 227 cities worldwide in terms of cost of living.
Quality of Life: The latest available edition of Mercer Quality of Living Survey ranks Dubai and Abu Dhabi 74th and 78th respectively out of 231 cities worldwide.
Hotel reservation websites: Quality of Living Worldwide City Rankings (Survey by Mercer)
Cost of Living Worldwide City Rankings (Survey by Mercer)

Average Lease Term: Generally the leases are made for a period of one year and are renewable.
Average Rental Costs: The annual rent must be paid in advance in most cases. It should be verified that maintenance and air conditioning costs are included in the rent. It is further necessary to subscribe to civil/fire/water damage liability insurance (cost: around EUR 240).
Rental Agency Websites: Cluttons Abu Dhabi Rental Agency
Hotel reservation websites: Website for expatriates

The Education System: Enrolling children in public schools can be difficult. Teaching is mainly in Arabic.
International Schools: International schools (e.g. teaching in English or French) are numerous in the Emirates. They are recognised and offer good quality education. School hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. from Saturdays to Wednesdays.
Hotel reservation websites: Ministry of Education

The Healthcare System: Public hospitals in Dubai and Abu Dhabi offer good health care services and can treat most injuries. Most hospitals have the latest equipment and qualified staff.
International Hospitals: Most expatriates opt for treatment in private hospitals.
Health System Insurance Body: Emirati General Pension and Social Security Authority
Health Ministry: Ministry of Health

Historical: Dubai Museum, mosques and old forts of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Cultural: There is a partnership with the Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi, which plans to open a branch of the museum there. This project has been repeatedly postponed but is expected to open at the end of 2016
Nature: 4x4 tours of the desert.
Religious: There is little religious tourism, except maybe at the huge Sheikh Zayed mosque in Abu Dhabi.
Beach: Beaches around Dubai are very beautiful and the hotel complexes developed around them are high-class. Women are formally recommended not to wear bikinis on public beaches. Being topless or naked is prohibited on all beaches of the country.
Winter Sports: There is an artificial indoor ski station in Dubai.
Outdoor Activities: It is possible to play golf in Dubai, which is a famous destination for this sport. Diving has much to offer due to the rich marine life. Fishing is also practised as a sport. Finally, the UAE is reputed for horse riding.
Shopping: The gold market offers a good price level and shopping malls are tax-free.

Top Highlights of the Country
Main things to do in the Emirates
Top 10 things to do in UAE

Tourism Organisations: Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority
Visit Abu Dhabi

Civil Liberty: 6/7
: World Ranking of Freedom of the Press According to "Reporters sans Frontières", 2021 report : 131/180

Beliefs: Official religion: Islam.
Muslims: 76%; Christians: 9%; other (mainly Hindus and Buddhists): 15%

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