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The cost of living in UAE

05.05.2015
Homesoverseas.ru editorial office
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United Arab Emirates attracts foreign specialists tax benefits and real estate investors to high – quality land, good infrastructure and "status". However the cost of living in the most cosmopolitan country in the Middle East is hard to call low.

Features of the budget

The monetary unit of the United Arab Emirates is dirham (AED), which is today approximately equal to a quarter (0,25) Euro, although the currency is pegged to the US dollar. Dirham (AED) divided into 100 Fils.

The largest number of foreigners living in the Emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. In General, the cost of living in the UAE capital in Abu Dhabi on quarter-more expensive accommodation in the Russian capital. That is, to maintain the same level of comfort (considering rental flats in both Moscow and St. Petersburg) in Moscow and Abu Dhabi would require €3400 and €4245, respectively. In Dubai the cost of living is even higher: here a similar package will cost €4780 (and in the exclusive area of Dubai Marina is even more expensive), that is 13% higher than in Abu Dhabi.

Many foreigners moving to UAE because of the preferential tax system: in particular, there is no income tax. According to official data, foreigners accounted for 80% of the total population of the UAE, and their share in the labour force of a country approaches 90%. However, before deciding on the life in Emirates experts suggest that you carefully calculate the main items of expenditure (accommodation and education) and compare them with your income.

Immigrants, predominantly from South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka), came to work in the UAE 10 years ago, say that from the moment of arrival wages here have remained the same, and the cost of living has increased significantly. According to the Arab newspaper The National, 56% of expatriates do not receive sufficient income to live in the UAE in connection with the prices of goods and services, and this issue is of concern not only foreigners.

The average budget of a resident of the UAE is as follows (in % of income):

  • Rental housing – 56%
  • Education (for self or children) – 13%
  • Medical care and buying food 7%
  • Entertainment – 5%
  • Purchase home appliances – 4%
  • The cost of transport and clothing 3%
  • Other expenses – 2%

Food prices

According to the international portal Numbeo, the cost of basic foodstuff on the average across the country is:

  • Milk (1 l) is AED5,48, or €1,38
  • Loaf of fresh white bread – AED4,16 (€1,05)
  • Rice (1 kg) – AED7,80 (€1,96)
  • Eggs (12 PCs) – AED9,66 (€2,43)
  • Local cheese (1 kg) – AED30,42 (€7,65)
  • Chicken fillet (1 kg) – AED25,79 (€6,49)
  • Fruit (apples, oranges) – AED7,21 - AED8,41 (€1,81-€2,12)
  • Vegetables (tomatoes, potatoes) – AED4,80 - AED30 (€1,21-€7,55)
  • Drinking bottled water (1.5 l) – AED1,75 (€0,44)
  • A pack of cigarettes (Marlboro) – AED10 (€2,52)

Alcoholic beverages in retail stores and supermarkets in the UAE it is forbidden to sell. On the territory of the Emirates opened a shop with a license to sell alcohol. Also hard liquor and wine you can bring your own, purchasing them in the Duty Free zone at the airport, or enjoy the bars, restaurants or hotels (the cost of a bottle of beer from AED4, €1).

Clothing, entertainment, communications

A pair of jeans Levi's or similar brands is AED294,14 (€74), the dress can be purchased for AED212 (€53,31), Nike sneakers for AED330 (€83,02), and men's leather shoes for AED360 (€90,56).

A ticket for one adult for employment in the fitness club will cost AED312 (€78.5 per), an hour tennis court hire will be AED77 (€19,37), and one ticket to the movies – AED35 (€8,8).

One minute of prepaid mobile tariff costs AED0,44 (€0,11), and the monthly fee for Internet connection (speed 6 Mbit/sec) is AED290 (€72,95).

Rent and maintaining the property

The national average rent one-bedroom apartments cost AED6223 (€1565). Thus, after payment of utilities and costs of food of an average wage is about AED10 745 (€2703). Rental housing on the coast costs twice as much.

When renting the apartment area of 85 sq. m monthly utility bill ranges from AED700 (€176). A supplier of electricity and water is one organization DEWA, services which are an average of AED250-AED 450 (€62,90-€113). Spending money on space heating in the Emirates do not have, but the budget should include the costs of air conditioning. One of the companies involved in the conditioning of buildings, Empower advocates. The cost of services per month ranges from AED450 to AED800 (€113-€200).

Contracts with all utilities the tenant enters into yourself and your name (assuming a long-term lease of housing premises). Payment of services for garbage collection at the expense of the landlord.

When renting real estate, usually signed long-term contract (one year), and when signing, in addition to the Deposit for the year additional paid security Deposit (about 5% of the yearly rent if the apartment is empty and 10% if the apartment is furnished). 5% is to be paid to the estate Agency as the Commission. Thus, the annual rent compact Studio depending on the area approximately would cost from €12 500 to €22 000.

The short-term rentals contract implies that payment already included utilities, the opportunity to use the swimming pool, satellite TV, Internet connection, etc. Additional charge for a security Deposit, which is returned after the liberation of real estate. Short term rent one-bedroom apartments in Dubai costs from

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Discussion
George
Prices for housing in the Emirates horse, if not more rude. But with food everything is much simpler. The most economical option is to buy in local supermarkets products and cook at home. True, there is not all in the department of products from Russia. I usually got what I needed in (there was advertising). There is quite a large selection of products from the CIS countries and prices do not bite.
6 of Nov 2017, 20:51:38
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Arseniy
Forgot to include your email ars.en51@mail.ru
15 of Sep 2016, 22:12:45
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Arseniy
Arianna, could You send me the contacts of the company where you applied? I would be very grateful.
15 of Sep 2016, 22:12:04
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Arianna
Many thanks to the author for the article! I just monitors the Internet and looking for such articles, as on the nose before moving to Dubai. Before I went there only as a tourist, not more than a month there, but now my dream has come true! And all thanks to the help of the company's lawyers (there were hidden advertising). And how lucky I was that came to them when he was in Dubai. Really suggest.
15 of Sep 2016, 18:08:40
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