What you need to know if you're planning to move to Dubai

Vijay Valecha, Yahoo Finance, May 9, 2025

The statistics tell the story. In 2024, Henley & Partners' Private Wealth Migration Report revealed that 9,500 millionaires left the UK for better alternatives in Europe and Asia, many of them flying to the "millionaire magnet" UAE that happily welcomed 6,700 global high-networth individuals to its sunny shores. The trend continues well into 2025.

The Gulf state’s appeal is not surprising. World Bank data shows the UAE’s Gross National Income (GNI) per capita hit $76,780 — about 35% higher than the UK's $56,780 in 2023. Add to the mix the much-vaunted "tax-free regime" and the lure of a luxury lifestyle — think waterfront villas, glitzy nightlife, and world-class dining — and you get an irresistible package. Largely crime-free cities with increasingly liberal social and legal norms make it easier than before for Westerners to integrate.

If the UAE dream looks too good to be true, it’s because it sometimes is. In a nation where Emiratis make up just 12% of the population, UK nationals have long been a familiar presence. But a sluggish economy, an uncertain dollar, and a weakened pound have accelerated the desire among both the ultra-wealthy and middle-class professionals to consider packing their bags. Today, around 240,000 Britons are estimated to live in Dubai — more than live in Oxford.

However, beneath the glossy brochures, celebrity reels, and promises made by immigration consultants, can lie hidden costs and legal realities that demand due diligence.

We spoke to UAE-based experts across finance, real estate, business, recruitment, and education for an essential guide on all that you need to know before making that big move.

Finances

Recent data shows Dubai’s cost of living is about 28%-30% lower than London’s, with groceries, dining out, and utilities noticeably easier on the wallet.

With just 5% VAT, compared to the UK’s 20%, zero property taxes compared to £1,000-£4,000 annual council tax, a pro-business environment and streamlined company set-up, licensing and visa processes, Dubai appears to live up to the "work hard, save more, live large" mantra.

However, Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer of investment firm Century Financial, sounds a warning bell on lifestyle inflation. “In the UK, income tax of up to 45%, capital gains taxes, and a national insurance scheme can temper your earnings. With none of these taxes in the UAE, an expat gets more disposable income, which could lead to overspending,” he says.

Valecha outlines typical monthly costs beyond rent and education — food (approximately £700 for a family of four), mandatory health insurance (£600), private transport (£500), utilities (£300), and entertainment (could vary widely). But it’s the hidden expenses and the cumulative costs of car ownership, insurance, fines, and lifestyle that often derail newcomers’ financial plans.

Valecha's game plan for staying ahead: • Automate 20%-30% of income into global and regional investments ranging from equities and fixed-income products to high-yield UAE real estate. • Build an emergency fund and make early retirement plans through International Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs) or UAE-specific pension schemes. • Hedge against currency swings with multi-currency accounts and time remittances smartly. • Be mindful of obligations like UK inheritance tax (IHT), now linked to residency rather than domicile status. • Prioritise estate planning and register wills with DIFC Wills Service or Abu Dhabi Judicial Department. • Work only with licensed advisors registered with the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), or RERA to mitigate risks and stay ahead of evolving tax laws.

Education

For UK families moving to the UAE, the education landscape offers a familiar yet globally enriched experience. State-of-the-art facilities, resources, extracurricular programmes, and easy accessibility to UK university pathways have made institutions like Nord Anglia Education (NAS) schools, Swiss International Scientific School, Sunmarke School, GEMS, and Repton popular among British expats.

for expat families, private schooling with steep fees is the only option available. At a premium school like Sunmarke, annual fees range from approximately £11,000 for early years to about £18,000 in the sixth form. Yet, compared to the UK private day school fees — typically between £15,000 and £25,000 — the UAE offers competitive value while adhering to regulatory standards and ratings by Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and accreditations like British Schools Overseas (BSO).

Jobs

Justin McGuire, CEO and co-founder of the MENA region at MCG Talent, says, "If you’re in a niche vertical or have experience in areas like AI or cloud, you’ll have more luck. But the bar’s never been higher."

Credentials aside, what employers seek is regional know-how, more precisely, UAE or Middle East experience. "You could have a stack of certifications and a shiny CV, but if you don’t understand how things operate here — how business gets done, decisions are made, and the cultural dynamics — you’ll struggle," McGuire says. "Senior commercial roles with proven GCC results are what get traction."

Salaries, too, require a reality check. "Don’t expect high salaries or quick offers without regional experience or a niche skill set. Many salaries are now benchmarked locally, not to what you earned in the UK. The tax-free element helps, but base salaries aren’t what they were in 2015," he says.

Source