🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates Relocation Data 2026
Key statistics for expats and relocators
Data updated · Region: Middle East · Free with attribution (CC BY 4.0)
Overall Score
69/100
Global Rank
#4/95
Est. Monthly Cost
$2,150
Dimension Breakdown
Confidence: 88%. Scores weighted using default quality-of-life profile. Source: WhereNext Global Relocation Index, compiled from institutional datasets (World Bank, WHO, GPI, OECD, EF EPI).
Cost of Living Breakdown
| Category | Affordability Index | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Groceries | 31/100 | Expensive |
| Rent | 66/100 | Moderate |
| Property Purchase | 66/100 | Moderate |
| Utilities | 66/100 | Moderate |
| Transport | 62/100 | Moderate |
| Overall (composite) | 59 | higher = more expensive |
Sub-indexes: higher = more affordable. Overall index: higher = more expensive. Estimated solo monthly cost: $2,150 USD (calibrated so US index 82 = ~$3,000/mo).
Top Cities in United Arab Emirates
Tax Overview
| Tax Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| Top Income Tax Rate | 0% |
| VAT / GST | 5% |
| Corporate Tax | 9% |
| Effective Rate at $60K | 0% |
Special Tax Regimes
- No personal income tax
- Free zone companies (0% CIT)
Zero personal income tax. 9% corporate from June 2023.
Effective Tax by Income Tier (Salary)
| Gross Income (USD) | Effective Rate | Monthly Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | 0% | $4,167 |
| $100,000 | 0% | $8,333 |
| $200,000 | 0% | $16,667 |
Estimated for a single-filer resident on salary income. Includes income tax + social contributions. Actual liability varies by residency status, treaties, and deductions. Sources: OECD Tax Database, Deloitte Tax Guides.
Visa Access by Passport
| Passport | Access Level | Max Stay (days) | Work Allowed | Nomad Visa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 United States | Visa-Free | 90 | No | No |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Visa-Free | 90 | No | No |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | Visa-Free | 90 | No | No |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | Visa-Free | 90 | No | No |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | Visa-Free | 90 | No | No |
Visa data for tourist/short-stay access. Work permits and long-term residency require separate applications. Source: WhereNext visa requirements database (73 passports mapped).
Key Facts
| Capital | Abu Dhabi |
| Population | 9.4 Million |
| Currency | UAE Dirham (AED) |
| Languages | Arabic, English |
| Region | Middle East |
| Timezone | GST (UTC+4) |
| English Proficiency | Very High |
| Expat Community | Very Large |
How to Cite
WhereNext. "United Arab Emirates Relocation Data 2026." WhereNext Open Data, 2026-04-12. https://getwherenext.com/data/country/ae. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.