How much money should I budget for relocating to Dubai?

The biggest upfront expense is usually housing. Allow for your first rent payment, security deposit, agreed agency commission, Ejari registration and utility setup. For example, an apartment costing AED 60,000 annually requires a first payment of AED 15,000 when paid in four equal cheques, compared with AED 60,000 when paid in one cheque. DEWA currently requires a refundable deposit of AED 2,000 for an apartment or AED 4,000 for a villa, plus AED 155 in activation fees.

You should also budget for flights, temporary accommodation, luggage or shipping, furniture, household essentials, mobile service, internet, transport and any separate cooling or gas charges. Families should add school or nursery payments, dependent visa expenses and healthcare costs that are not covered by an employer.

Keep an emergency reserve separate from your move-in money, ideally enough for three months of essential expenses. If you are arriving without confirmed employment, consider a larger reserve. Employer-provided accommodation or a furnished room can reduce your initial costs considerably.

Before committing to a property, get a written breakdown of everything payable before collecting the keys.