Relocating to Dubai: A comprehensive guide for Spanish families

Why choose Dubai?

Visa and residency requirements

1. Employment Visa: Usually sponsored by your company in Dubai, employment visas are the most often used category among expats.
2. Investor Visa: For those wishing to launch or fund a Dubai company.
3. Property Owner Visa: A 2-year visa for those who purchase property worth over AED 750,000 (EUR 190,379).
4. Remote Work Visa: Designed recently to let experts operate from Dubai for businesses abroad, this visa lets professionals

Cost of living

• Housing: Usually the biggest outlay is rent. While a comparable home in the elite Arabian Ranches may cost AED 20,166 (EUR 5,129) or more, a 3-bedroom villa in a family-friendly location like Mirdif begins at just AED 10,250 (EUR 2,607) monthly.
• Utilities: Basic utilities—including power, water, and internet—should cost a family of four in a 3-bedroom villa between AED 2,200 (EUR 559) and AED 3,700 (EUR 941) per month according to an article by Bayut.
• Groceries: A family of four may spend around AED 2,400 (EUR 610) a month on food, however, this would vary depending on dietary choices and shopping behaviour.
• Education: Families find school tuition to be a major outlay of money. Depending on the institution and curriculum selected, annual tuition may run from AED 20,000 (EUR 5,087) to over AED 100,000 (EUR 25,435) per kid.
• Healthcare: Budget for any extra coverage or out-of-pocket costs even though many companies provide health insurance. For a family of four, a comprehensive plan might cost between AED 15,000 and AED 25,000 (EUR 3,810 - EUR 6,350).
• Transportation: If you decide to buy a vehicle, consider expenses for insurance, gasoline, and upkeep. On the other hand, Dubai has a first-rate public transportation system; a monthly pass is around AED 350 (EUR 89).

Housing options

• Apartments: Perfect for smaller households or those leaning more toward urban living. Well-known locations include Jumeirah Lake Towers, Downtown Dubai, and Dubai Marina.
• Villas: Perfect for bigger families looking for more solitude and room are villas. Luxurious villa choices abound in communities such as Jumeirah, Emirates Hills, and Arabian Ranches.
• Townhouses: Found in places like Jumeirah Village Circle and Dubailand, townhouses strike a medium ground between flats and villas.

• Mirdif (Affordable): Well-known for its large homes and close access to good universities.
• Arabian Ranches (Luxury): Popular expatriate community with first-rate infrastructure.
• Dubai Silicon Oasis (Affordable): Provides a more reasonably priced mix of villas and flats.
• Jumeirah (Luxury): Popular among Western expats and next to the beach.

Cultural considerations

• Dress code: Although not as severe as in other Middle Eastern countries, modest attire is valued particularly in public places.
• Ramadan: Eating, drinking, and smoking publicly during daylight hours is forbidden during Ramadan, the holy month.
• Alcohol consumption: Available but limited to licensed residences of non-Muslims and licensed venues. Learn more about the alcohol rules in Dubai here.
• Public behaviour: Public shows of love should be minimal; certain activities deemed acceptable in Spain might be frowned upon or even outlawed in Dubai.

Frequently Asked Questions