Living in Abu Dhabi – 11 Important Questions Answered 

Living in Abu Dhabi can be a culture shock compared to life in the UK, that’s why it’s essential to to know what to expect before your removals to Abu Dhabi. Understanding cultural norms, making the most of no income tax, and adapting to the hot weather will all be on your mind if you’re planning on making the big move to Abu Dhabi.

In this blog, we answer the 11 most important questions about living in Abu Dhabi, including what’s a good salary for the city and discovering the real cost of living. 

1. Is Abu Dhabi a Good Place to Live?

Yes, Abu Dhabi is a great place to live for many reasons. It’s been ranked the safest city in the world for the 9th consecutive year, highlighting the city’s ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of life for citizens, residents and visitors. 

People from all over the world call Abu Dhabi home, so it really is a diverse and welcoming city. There are excellent opportunities on offer, especially for those looking to work in Abu Dhabi. Career advancements, high salaries, and no income tax make Abu Dhabi a very attractive place to live and work. 

Abu Dhabi is also home to many high-standard healthcare and educational facilities, including Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and the British School Al Khubairat.

2. Where Do British Expats Live in Abu Dhabi?

Saadiyat Island is a popular place for British expats to reside. It offers world-class museums like the Louvre Abu Dhabi, stunning beaches, and luxury properties. It’s home to high-end restaurants and luxury accommodations like villas and apartments.

For more affordable housing options, many British ex-pats reside in Mohammed Bin Zayed City. This is a popular area for families who want larger villas or townhouses at a relatively lower cost. The neighbourhood is quieter than others and offers spacious homes and good schools. 

Al Reef is popular with expat families. It’s close to the airport for visiting family and offers affordable villas and apartments. Khalifa City has some of the best schools in Abu Dhabi and offers a great community feel.

3. What is a Good Salary in Abu Dhabi?

A good salary for living in Abu Dhabi is around AED 96,000 per year, which is the average salary in the city. Your goal salary will depend on your circumstances, living costs, and expenses. 

If you’re moving to Abu Dhabi alone, monthly costs are estimated at around AED3,474.2 (£762) without rent. Monthly living costs go up to AED12,144.0 (£2,666) if you’re living in Abu Dhabi with a family of four people. 

Average salary by profession:

• Mechanical Engineer: AED 122,500 per year
• Electrical Engineer: AED 107,000 per year
• Accountant: AED 77,500 per year
• Civil Engineer: AED 101,000 per year
• Registered Nurse: AED 85,500 per year
• Project Manager: AED 251,000 per year
• Project Engineer: AED 126,000 per year

4. Is Abu Dhabi Tax-free?

Workers don’t pay income tax in Abu Dhabi nor do they in the rest of the UAE, however, the city is not completely tax-free and some taxes must be paid. 

Taxes to be paid in Abu Dhabi are:

• Companies that make a net profit of AED 375,000 and over have to pay 9% corporate tax 
• A 5% VAT applies to most goods and services. This doesn’t include services like healthcare and education
• Excise tax is applied to certain goods that are considered harmful such as tobacco, sugary drinks, and energy drinks. The rate varies but is charged at 100% for tobacco products, electric vapes, and energy drinks. 

The following taxes are not charged in Abu Dhabi:

• Personal income tax
• Capital gains tax 
• Inheritance tax 
• Property tax (there is a 2-5% registration fee on property transactions)
• Withholding tax 

5. Can You Drink Alcohol in Abu Dhabi?

Yes, you can drink alcohol in Abu Dhabi, but it is more regulated than in the UK. For a start, the legal drinking age is higher at 21, and only licensed venues can serve and sell alcohol, such as hotels, bars, restaurants, and clubs. 

It is strictly illegal to drink in public places or any unlicensed areas and if caught being intoxicated in public or disruptive behaviour from being intoxicated, you may face punishment including fines, imprisonment, and even deportation. 

Myth busters on alcohol in Abu Dhabi:

• “Only non-Muslims can drink alcohol” – Many Muslims don’t drink alcohol due to their religion, however, there is no law banning Muslims from purchasing and drinking alcohol. 
• “You need a license to buy and drink alcohol” – Previously a license was needed to buy alcohol, but this was scrapped in 2020.
• “Tourists cannot buy alcohol” – Tourists, just like residents, can buy alcohol in any place licensed to serve and sell it.
  

6. Can I Retire to Abu Dhabi From the UK?

Yes, UK citizens can retire to Abu Dhabi through the UAE’s Retirement Visa. You must meet financial criteria to be eligible to live in Abu Dhabi for 5 years, with the potential to renew. To qualify, you must meet at least one of the following financial conditions:

1. Own a property in the UAE worth at least AED 1 million (£215,000)

OR

2. Have at least AED 1 million (£215,000) in a UAE-based fixed deposit account.

OR

3. Receive a monthly income of AED 20,000 (£4,300) from a pension or other financial sources.

AND

4. You must also have health insurance that covers you in the UAE.

Many British expats move to Abu Dhabi to retire for many reasons. Pension income isn’t taxed, so residents get to keep more of their earnings, which is often the biggest draw. Warmer weather and an international community also make retiring to the UAE attractive. 

7. What Are the Cultural Norms in Abu Dhabi? 

Religion – Traditional Islamic culture is practised and must be respected in Abu Dhabi. You can expect to see locals heading to mosques to prayer each day, which is announced through loudspeakers 5 times a day. Both men and women should respect modestly, especially at places of worship and public places.

Ramadan – An important time in the Muslim calendar is Ramadan. As Muslims fast from dawn to dusk, it is extremely disrespectful to be seen eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight.

Public displays of affection – Hugging, kissing, and holding hands in public in Abu Dhabi are seen as disrespectful in Islamic culture. Although not illegal, you may receive a warning or a fine if caught.

Taking photos – Taking photos of locals without permission, especially women, is deemed disrespectful. You also shouldn’t photograph government buildings, military installations, and places of worship.

8. Can Unmarried Couples Live Together?

Yes, contrary to popular belief, unmarried couples can legally live together in Abu Dhabi. The same applies in hotels, you do not need to show proof of marriage to share a room with your partner. Previously, it was illegal, but in 2020 the UAE introduced the decriminalisation of cohabitation.

However, unmarried Muslim couples may still be discouraged from living together under Islamic principles. Some landlords may have personal or religious preferences regarding renting to unmarried couples.

Yes, Abu Dhabi is a very family-friendly, safe place to live. Not only has the city been voted the safest place to live in the world for almost a decade, but it is also an extremely clean and well-maintained place. 

It’s home to some of the best British international schools, including the British International School Abu Dhabi, American Community School, and Repton School Abu Dhabi. There are also plenty of family-friendly attractions to keep children of all ages entertained such as Yas Waterworld, Corniche Beach, and Emirates Park Zoo.

9. What is the Cost of Living in Abu Dhabi?

For comparison, the cost of living in Abu Dhabi is 10.5% lower than in Bristol and 30.9% more affordable than London. 

While Abu Dhabi’s rental prices are lower than those in Dubai, they are higher than in Sharjah. The cost of rent in Abu Dhabi is considered high, especially in prime locations and for larger apartments. However, the city offers a range of housing options to accommodate various budgets and preferences. 

Areas like Khalifa City A offer more affordable rental options, where the average rent is AED 3250 (£700) per month. You can rent studio apartments for around AED 28,000 (£6,112.40) per year and one-bedroom flats for AED 42,000 (£9,168.60). Prices rise in areas like Saadiyat Island where two-bedroom apartments charge AED 155,000 (£33,836.50) for annual rent. 

We’ve compiled a table of essential everyday living costs and listed the price in Abu Dhabi and compared it to how much the same would cost in the UK. you can see that travel costs, private education, and housing utilities are significantly cheaper than in the UK, whereas food prices and buying property are similar.

Item	Abu Dhabi Cost	UK Cost
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant	AED 40 (£8.73)	£15
500g Loaf of Fresh White Bread	AED 5.17 (£1.13)	£1.24
1kg of Chicken Fillets	AED 29.70 (£6.48)	£6.63
Monthly Travel Pass	AED 90 (£19.65)	£70
Utilities	AED 543.37 (£118.85)	£239.26
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child	AED 45,318.18 (£9,900)	£15,510.16
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre	AED 17,660.75 (£3,855.34)	£3,778.43

10. How Hot is it in Abu Dhabi?

The weather and climate in Abu Dhabi are significantly different to the UK. Abu Dhabi has a hot desert climate and experiences extremely hot summers, seeing highs of around 43°C in the summer months. In the winter months, temperatures cool down to a nice 25°C, so you can experience warm weather year-round in Abu Dhabi. These months are often better for outdoor activities. 

Many public places are fully air-conditioned and prepared for the hot weather. Rest assured, all buildings, shopping malls, offices, and homes are fitted with high-performance air conditioning units. In open-air spaces and outdoor restaurants, you’ll find mist-cooling spray systems. Finally, outdoor workers’ hours are adjusted during the summer months to avoid dangerous conditions, having an enforced break from 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm.

Tips on preparing for the weather: 

• Avoid being outdoors during the hottest part of the day
• Schedule your outdoor exercise for cooler periods 
• Stay hydrated with water 
• Wear loose-fitting clothing 
• Get used to the heat slowly 
• Use sun protection
• Ensure you have sufficient air conditioning

11. How Are The Weekends Different in Abu Dhabi?

Until 2022, Abu Dhabi’s weekends were Friday to Saturday, with the working week starting on Monday. The UAE changed to a Saturday-Sunday weekend on January 1st 2022 to mirror the international markets and enhance economic competitiveness. 

Friday remains the holy day in Islam and Government employees work a half-day to accommodate the Jumu’ah (Friday) prayers. These are unified across the UAE and held at 1:15 pm. This adjustment allows Muslims to fulfil their religious obligations while adapting to the new weekend structure.

Most shops, restaurants, cafes, and entertainment establishments are open throughout the weekend, so tourists and residents can enjoy their time off work. It’s important to note that some businesses may adjust their hours on Fridays to allow for lunchtime prayers.

Moving to Abu Dhabi 

Now all your burning questions about living in Abu Dhabi are answered, are you ready to make the move? 1st Move International are here to ship your personal effects and household goods to Abu Dhabi. We offer guaranteed weekly shipping to the UAE from destinations all across the UK.

What are you waiting for? Get moved to Abu Dhabi faster, safer, and smarter with 1st Move International. All you have to do is enter a few details of your move into our simple form, and we’ll give you a personalised free quote!