TheGlobaLocalGuidesUK → UAE
Free guide
Is the UAE for me?
Pick who’s moving and this guide changes to fit you: daily life, where to live, things to do, finding your people and schools.
Who’s moving?
Pick the closest match · 9 groupsFor you: family, young children
A great fit if
- You want outdoor life and space for the children
- Your package covers school fees, or your budget can
- You can plan the long summer holiday, often back in the UK
Think twice if
- School fees can cost as much as rent: check the education allowance
- Popular schools have waiting lists
- From June to August, days out move indoors
The basics
TimeGMT+4No clock change: 3 hours ahead of the UK in summer, 4 in winter
FlightAbout 7hLondon to Dubai, non-stop
Income tax0%No personal income tax; VAT is 5%
Working weekMon–FriGovernment since 2022, and many private firms; check your contract
LanguageEnglishAt work and in shops; Arabic is the official language
Two seasons, not four
Average daily high, °CComfortable, up to 30°CWarm, 31–37°CHot, 38°C and aboveNight-time low
October to April: outdoor season
- Beach, desert and terraces every weekend
- Events, markets and sport outdoors
- Visitors from home arrive
May to September: indoor season
- Malls, gyms and indoor sport
- Early mornings and late evenings outside
- Many families spend summer in the UK
Source: Dubai climate normals 1991–2020 (WMO, Dubai International Airport).
A week in your life
| Mornings | School or nursery drop-off, then work |
| Afternoons | Pool, parks and after-school activities |
| Weekends | Beach mornings in winter, soft play and birthday parties in summer |
| Holidays | A long summer break, often spent in the UK |
Where people like you live
Compare costs →Dubai Hills Estate
Newer community: a big park, villas and apartments, schools nearbyArabian Ranches
Villa community with gardens, further out, very family-focusedMirdif
Established villa area near the airport, good value for spaceThings you’ll actually do
Family days out
Parks, waterparks and beaches, plus indoor play for summerBeaches
Swim most of the year: the sea averages about 21°C in January and 33°C in AugustDesert and mountains
Dune drives and winter camping; hiking and kayaking in HattaCulture
Al Fahidi historic district, museums, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi as a day tripFinding your people
- The school gate is the social hub
- Parent and baby groups meet in most communities
- In villa communities, neighbours become friends fast
Schools and nurseries
About 37% of Dubai’s private-school pupils follow the British curriculum (2024–25). KHDA inspects and rates private schools on a six-point scale.
| Stage | Typical fees a year (British schools) |
|---|---|
| Foundation (FS1–FS2) | AED 7,000 – 55,000 |
| Primary (Years 1–6) | AED 20,000 – 65,000 |
- Apply early: popular schools have waiting lists.
- From 2026–27 the age cut-off is 31 December, not 31 August as in England. Check where an autumn-born child will be placed.
- Fees are per child: check what your education allowance covers.
Sources: CambriLearn: British schools in Dubai, KHDA school directory, MOE: age cut-off from 2026–27. Check each school’s KHDA fee sheet.
Before you decide: the regional situation. Since February 2026, conflict involving Iran has disrupted flights across the Gulf. The FCDO does not advise against travel to the UAE but asks visitors to be ready for disruption. Read the FCDO travel advice: UAE (last updated 24 July 2026) before you commit.
Three questions to ask yourself
Does our package cover school fees, and for how many children?
Which school, and is there a place?
Where will we spend the summer?
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