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Free tool
UAE Setup Cost Calculator
Estimate your one-off and first-month costs of moving to the UAE. Toggle items on / off and adjust values to match your situation.
Estimated total setup cost
AED 52,060
≈ £11,077 at AED 4.7/£
Who's moving?
Visa & legal
AED 6,990Range: AED 2,500-5,000
Range: AED 270-470
Range: AED 250-450
Range: AED 2,000-4,000optional
Range: AED 80-160optional
Housing
AED 36,220Range: AED 5,000-20,000+
Range: AED 10,000-60,000+
Range: AED 180-280optional
Range: AED 5,000-40,000optional
Transport
AED 600Range: AED 300-600optional
Range: AED 20,000-80,000+optional
Range: AED 100-300optional
Banking
AED 3,000Range: AED 0-10,000
Health
-Range: AED 3,000-15,000/yroptional
Telecoms
AED 250Range: AED 150-400
Shipping
-Range: AED 12,000-28,000optional
Schools
-Range: AED 1,500-5,000optional
Range: AED 800-2,000optional
Other
AED 5,000Range: AED 3,000-10,000optional
Cost summary
Visa & legalAED 6,990
HousingAED 36,220
TransportAED 600
BankingAED 3,000
TelecomsAED 250
OtherAED 5,000
TotalAED 52,060
Approximate GBP equivalent: £11,077 (at AED 4.7/£)
These are estimates only. Costs vary significantly by emirate, employer, lifestyle, and timing. Many employers cover visa fees, health insurance, and sometimes school fees. Always negotiate these as part of your package. Rent advance and deposits are the biggest first-year cash burden: budget AED 30,000-80,000+ upfront depending on where you live.
Want to negotiate setup costs into your package?
A strategy session covers what to negotiate, how to ask, and what UAE employers expect, from school fees to housing allowances.
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