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Your move, step by stepYou’re in step 1: Research
  1. 1ResearchYou’re here
  2. 2Making the moveOffer accepted, packing up, or just landed

How much do I need to move?

Work out the cash to have ready for your first 3 or 6 months in Dubai: set-up costs, living costs, and what your employer may cover.

Who’s moving
Adults
2
Plan for your first
Your move
Your visa
Self-sponsored covers retirement, green and freelance visas
Your partner
Furniture
Car
0
School fees a year, per child
Money coming in
AED 35k
£0
Safety buffer
Help from your employer
None
School allowance
Have this much ready before you moveAED 236,854about £48,337 · includes a 1-month safety buffer
Costs in your first 6 monthsAED 354,882
Covered by your employer and othersAED 0
Deposits you get back laterAED 15,525
Running costs a monthAED 13,029

Month by month (AED)

WhenOutInBalance
Before you fly32,6000-32,600
Month 1173,51435,000-206,114
Month 213,02935,000-184,142
Month 313,02935,000-162,171
Month 496,65435,000-223,825
Month 513,02935,000-201,854
Month 613,02935,000-179,882

Before you fly

Flights out for 4 (economy) EstimateAED 8,800
Attesting 4 documents (degree, marriage, birth) EstimateAED 2,800
Shipping your belongings EstimateAED 8,000
School application feesAED 1,000
School registration deposits (10%, taken off term 1)AED 12,000

When you land

Temporary home for 4 weeksAED 18,476
Your residence visa, medical and Emirates ID Employer pays, by lawAED 0
Family visas (3) EstimateAED 5,200
Health insurance for 3 dependants (a year) EstimateAED 10,500
Security deposit You get it backAED 9,525
Agency fee (5% plus VAT)AED 10,001
Ejari registrationAED 178
DEWA deposit You get it backAED 4,000
DEWA activation and feesAED 330
Furniture and basics EstimateAED 15,000
Car rental deposit You get it back EstimateAED 2,000
UK licence swap (with eye test)AED 1,050
Salik toll tagAED 100
SIM, nol card and small set-up EstimateAED 500

Every month

Housing fee (5% of rent)AED 794
DEWA billsAED 1,600
Home internetAED 285
Mobile EstimateAED 350
Groceries EstimateAED 4,200
Eating out and leisure EstimateAED 3,000
Car rental, fuel and tolls EstimateAED 2,800

Rent is the average asking rent for a 3-bed villa in the first half of 2026: AED 190,500 a year. Figures checked 1 Oct 2026. Items marked “Estimate” are our planning figures. Read Renting: Ejari, cheques and DEWA and What it costs to live in Dubai.

Estimates to help you plan, not financial advice. Nothing you enter is sent to us.