Nestled between the sea and the desert, Abu Dhabi has transformed In less than a century, from a modest fishing port on the Arabian Peninsula to a thriving modern city with a thousand and one assets! It is now a bustling business centre, a hub for international finance, a cultural and sporting centre, and a chill family destination very popular with expatriates. Foyer Global Health offers a guide to ease your relocation to Abu Dhabi.
Living in Abu Dhabi: the pros & the cons
Advantages
- Strong economic growth translates into numerous career opportunities
- Tax exemptions (no income tax or corporation tax) to boost your purchasing power
- A cosmopolitan environment, with a large expatriate population from all over the world.
- Quality of life: Abu Dhabi is a clean, modern city with high-quality health and school facilities
- Abu Dhabi is a reassuringly safe city for families and single women
- It is sunny all year round
- Abu Dhabi offers a wide range of activities catering to a diverse range of interests including cultural sites, sports facilities, outdoor activities, etc.
- Abu Dhabi offers, in general, a high level of quality services
Disadvantages
- Abu Dhabi’s high cost of living, particularly for accommodation, must be taken into account when relocating.
- The extremely hot weather in summer is not for everyone
- Legal, cultural and social restrictions exist which Westerners may find prohibitive
- Abu Dhabi is geographically isolated
Keep in mind: Emirati society is organized around Arab-Muslim traditions. It is imperative to refrain from any form of criticism directed towards the ruling family, the country, the flag or Islam.
Finding accommodation in Abu Dhabi
As the city grows, so does the supply of property and property prices.
Rent or buy?
Many expats who move to Abu Dhabi and are not sure of staying for more than a few months or years choose to rent. This option is easiest and offers fewer constraints than buying. However, if you are planning a long-term move to the emirate, renting may prove costly. Property prices have risen due to the influx of expatriates. Buying a property in Abu Dhabi is an attractive investment and allows you to benefit from the Golden Visa programme and become a resident. Since April 2019, foreigners have been able to buy freehold properties in some areas such as Yasou Island and Al Reef.
What types of accommodation are available?
Abu Dhabi’s housing stock is very diverse. You will find apartments in skyscrapers as well as townhouses and luxury villas, both furnished and unfurnished.
How do I find accommodation?
Many online resources such as Bayut, Propertyfinder and Abu Dhabi Dubizzle can help you find accommodation. Some expats prefer to directly reach out to an estate agent for greater efficiency.
Please note that many work contracts in Abu Dhabi include housing assistance. In fact, your employer may provide you with company housing or offer you a housing allowance, which may or may not be included in your salary, for the duration of your employment contract.
What are Abu Dhabi’s best areas for expats?
Abu Dhabi City Centre is home to many shops, malls, old souks and offices. If you enjoy an urban lifestyle, this is a great place to settle. Located not far from the city centre, Al Zahiyah, formerly the Tourist Club Area, and Al Markaziyah, are residential areas popular with expats. Why? Because they are close to the Corniche, parks, malls and other amenities. For more affordable rents, head to Madinat Zayed and Al Wahda, two residential areas that are also popular with expatriates. Yas Island is an attractive alternative for those looking for entertainment and beautiful beachfront properties.
Daily life in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi’s local currency is the United Arab Emirates dirham (AED or Dhs) and is pegged to the US dollar (US$1 is AED3.6725). One dirham is subdivided into 100 fils.
Is life expensive in Abu Dhabi?
One of the disadvantages of relocating to Abu Dhabi is the high cost of living, although Abu Dhabi is more affordable than Dubai. Accommodation is a major expense for expatriates. The cost of a three-bedroom apartment ranges from AED 7,100 to AED 18,000 per month, depending on where you choose to live. Furthermore, the costs associated with education and childcare are also high. For instance, the annual fees for primary school range from AED 25,000 to AED 75,000.
Getting around Abu Dhabi
The city of Abu Dhabi is, in comparison to bustling Dubai, a smaller city and feels more ‘human’. For those who work in proximity to the place where they live, it’s perfectly possible to navigate the city on foot, except during the summer months when temperatures can reach extreme levels. While the vast majority of Abu Dhabi residents own a car, which is their preferred mode of transportation, there are also other practical and convenient options such as buses, taxis and VTC applications such as Uber and Careem.
Working in Abu Dhabi
For many expatriates, working in Abu Dhabi represents a valuable professional opportunity, allowing them to work in an international environment and advance their careers.
Job opportunities abound in a wide range of sectors, including construction (for engineers, architects and construction workers), finance and banking, renewable energy, railways and culture. It is not uncommon for expatriates who are employed in Abu Dhabi to be provided with company housing, an allowance for their children’s education and return air tickets home for holidays. In accordance with relevant employment legislation, you are entitled to 30 days annual leave and your employer is required to provide you with basic health insurance. You must also be sponsored by your employer in order to obtain a visa to work in the country.
Please note that, as part of a strategy of emiratisation of employment, the authorities have restricted certain jobs to nationals, even in international companies.
Fluency in English is essential for working in Abu Dhabi and a basic knowledge of Arabic will help you stand out from your expatriate competitors.
What about taxes in Abu Dhabi?
While the cost of living is quite high in Abu Dhabi, there is no income tax in the UAE. If your home country has a double taxation agreement with the UAE, you will not have to pay tax on your income.
Furthermore, if you’ve decided to set up your own business in the country, you won’t have to pay tax on your company either.
Living in Abu Dhabi as a family
Childcare
There are different types of daycare facilities for young children aged 0-4, including private crèches, most of which are English-speaking, early childhood centres and day-care centres. Do investigate carefully childcare arrangements and access to the centre of your choice (age, lunch options or not, language, etc.). Please note that free public day-care facilities are only accessible to children with Emirati parents.
An alternative is to get a nanny, but then you will have to hire her officially and comply with a number of legal obligations. In the United Arab Emirates, the vast majority of nannies come from abroad, so you will need to sponsor the visa and pay the visa fees in addition to a monthly salary.
You should also bear in mind that you will have to provide her/him with accommodation (in your home or elsewhere) and buy her one plane ticket a year so that she/he can return home for her annual leave. If you choose this option, you should reach out to an agency specialised in recruiting nannies for expat families. Do not hesitate to ask other expat parents for recommendations!
Education
Abu Dhabi is home to a number of international schools (British, American, Indian, etc.) which also offer the International Baccalaureate programme, as well as the Lycée Français Théodore Monot. These international schools, some of which are very expensive, remain the preferred option for expatriate parents. Pupils are required to take an Arabic language course regardless of whether they attend a non-Emirati school.
As soon as your expatriation plans become clear, don’t waste any time. As there are a significant shortage of places, particularly at the primary level, start the enrolment process for your child(ren) without delay
To identify a private crèche or school, please click here!
Healthcare in Abu Dhabi
The United Arab Emirates boasts a highly developed healthcare system renowned for its exemplary standards, qualified staff and cutting-edge medical infrastructure, in both the public and private sectors. The healthcare system is particularly proficient in the fields of eye care, cosmetic surgery, dental care and cancer treatment.
As in Dubai, it is compulsory for expatriates residing in Abu Dhabi to get basic health insurance, which is usually provided by the employer or sponsor. Most expatriates, however, prefer to take out additional private international health insurance for more effective, comprehensive and flexible coverage.
The best hospitals in Abu Dhabi
Private:
- Burjeel Hospital
- NMC Health
- Ahalia Hospital Hamdan
- Medeor Hospital
- Moorfields eye hospital Abu Dhabi
Public: