Updated August 2026 Firsthand experience Official UAE sources

Move to Dubai
in 2026, step by step.

Plan your visa, budget, housing, banking, insurance, schools and first months in Dubai with practical guides built from a real relocation.

Real experience. Current costs. Verified official sources.

Start the free moving checklistPlan what to do before departure and after arrival Get the complete 2026 toolkit — €12English + French · 90-day plan · calculator · checklists
Vincent, author of MovingToDubai.org

By Vincent — MovingToDubai.orgRelocated to Dubai in 2026 · Full-time expat
Real experienceMoved to Dubai in 2026
Verified sourcesOfficial UAE websites
Actively maintainedRules and costs reviewed
Built for expatsPractical decisions, clearly explained
Start here

Choose your situation

Get the right sequence of guides for the move you are planning.

I already have a job offer

Work visa, medical test, Emirates ID, banking and housing.

›

I’m a freelancer or remote worker

Residence routes, costs, tax, insurance and banking.

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I’m moving with my family

Family visas, schools, healthcare, childcare and housing.

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I’m still comparing Dubai

Visas, realistic costs, neighbourhoods and daily life.

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A simple route

Your first four decisions

Make the high-impact choices first, then organise the details.

1Choose your residence route 2Calculate your starting cash 3Choose where to live 4Plan your first 30 days
Free planning tool

Estimate the cash needed to move

Enter your assumptions to estimate the first rent payment, common rental charges, furnishing and your emergency buffer. This is a planning estimate, not a quotation.

Estimated starting cash AED 112,250 Includes the first rent cheque, estimated 5% deposit, estimated 5.25% agency fee including VAT, furnishing, other setup costs and your selected buffer. See the full budget methodology →
Browse by decision

Explore practical Dubai guides

Start with the decision you need to make today.

Visas & relocationResidence routes, Emirates ID, medical tests and arrival procedures. HousingNeighbourhoods, rent, Ejari, DEWA, inspections and tenant rights. Cost of livingSetup cash, monthly budgets, utilities, schools and transport. BankingAccount opening, fees and independent bank comparisons. Jobs & careersJob search, salaries, work permits and independent routes. Family & educationSchools, childcare, family visas, healthcare and budgets. TransportMetro, buses, nol cards, driving licences and car ownership. PetsImport permits, cargo travel, documents and pet-friendly living.
Current guidance

Recently verified for 2026

Practical guides reviewed against current experience and official information.

Dubai Healthcare System

Public and private care, hospitals, insurance networks and realistic costs.

Dubai Work Visa

Employer sponsorship, MoHRE permits, documents, costs and employee protections.

Medical Fitness Test

Tests, Salem centres, documents, current prices and result times.

Best Banks for Expats

Eligibility, fees, cheques, digital banking and practical comparisons.

Renting an Apartment

Rent cheques, deposits, agency fees, Ejari, DEWA and move-in cash.

Why trust this site?

Experience clearly separated from research

I moved to Dubai in 2026. When I have completed a process or paid a cost myself, the guide says so. For rules, eligibility and regulated services, official UAE sources take priority.

  • Firsthand notes only where experience is real
  • Official-source research for rules and fees
  • Dates and caveats where information may change
  • Read the editorial approach →

The complete 90-day relocation toolkit

English + French guides · editable budget calculator · printable checklists · €12 launch price

See what’s inside →
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