From someone who made the move in May 2025 – no sponsors, no nonsense.
So, you’ve decided to move to Dubai? First off – brilliant choice. The sunshine, tax-free salary, and incredible quality of life make it a dream destination for many. But while the skyline is shiny and the brunches are bottomless, moving here without a plan can seriously drain your wallet.
I made the move in May 2025, and while I absolutely love it now, I definitely made a few rookie mistakes along the way. I’ve put together these 15 real-world tips that can help you save at least 15,000 AED when settling in. Honestly, probably more.
And just to be clear – no one’s paying me to say any of this. These are things that actually worked for me, shared in the hope they help you too.
📋 Pre-Move Planning
1. Get Organised. Early.
If I could only give you one piece of advice, it would be this. Start sorting everything well in advance – and I mean 3–4 months before you land.
That means researching schools, checking visa requirements, getting your documents sorted, organising shipping, and booking short-term accommodation.
The longer you leave things, the fewer choices you’ll have – and the more it’ll cost you.
2. Get 3 Quotes for Your Shipping Container
Shipping your life across continents isn’t cheap – but you’d be amazed how much the prices vary.
Don’t just go with the first company that calls you back. Get at least three quotes and ask for a full breakdown (including customs clearance, delivery to your door, and any hidden port fees).
I used ISS Relocation, and found them reliable, professional, and upfront about everything.
3. Attest Your Official Documents
If you’re moving for work or with family, chances are you’ll need to attest your marriage certificate, birth certificates, and university degrees.
This process proves they’re real and officially recognised in the UAE. It’s a faff, but it’s mandatory for visa applications, schooling, and more.
I used BVS Global, and they handled the whole thing – worth every dirham to save time and hassle.
4. Map Out Your Life Triangle
Here’s something no one told me, but it makes a huge difference: open Google Maps and plot out your potential home, workplace, and your kids’ school.
Try to find a location that keeps all three within a 20–30 minute drive. Dubai traffic can be brutal during rush hour – and those extra kilometres quickly eat into your time, sanity, and petrol budget.
🏡 Settling In
5. Book a Short-Term Rental First
You’ll need an Emirates ID before you can sign a long-term rental contract, open a postpaid phone plan, or sort out utilities.
So unless your employer is housing you straight away, you’ll need somewhere temporary. Look at serviced apartments or Airbnbs in areas like JVC, Marina or Business Bay depending on your budget.
Book for at least a month, just to be safe. Things take time to process here – don’t count on fast government paperwork.
6. Be Ready to Pay a Year’s Rent Upfront
Unlike the UK where rent is monthly, most Dubai landlords expect 6–12 months’ rent upfront, often in one or two cheques.
It’s normal here – just something to be financially prepared for.
Also, budget for:
- 5% deposit
- 5% agency fee
- DEWA (utilities) setup fee
Even if you’re renting modestly, it can easily hit AED 50,000–100,000 upfront.
7. Do Your Homework on Schools
There are loads of schooling options in Dubai – British, IB, American, Indian… and the fees and quality vary wildly.
Use WhichSchoolAdvisor.com – it’s brilliant for reviews, curriculum comparisons, and fee transparency.
Some schools have long waitlists, so apply early and don’t assume you’ll just sort it when you land.
💰 Money Matters
8. Use a Trusted Currency Exchange House
You’ll likely need to move over a decent chunk of cash to cover deposits, fees and setup costs. Your UK bank won’t give you the best rate – and even a small percentage difference can cost you hundreds.
I used GC Partners – they were fast, easy, and offered much better rates than my high street bank.
9. Compare Banks Before Opening an Account
Opening a bank account is essential – but not all UAE banks are created equal. Some require salary transfers. Others have annoying minimum balances or sneaky maintenance fees.
Ask around in expat groups to see who’s offering good service and a user-friendly app. (You’ll thank yourself later when paying bills or transferring rent.)
10. Budget for the Sneaky Extras
Here’s a reality check: rent isn’t the only thing that stings when you move.
You’ll also need:
- Visa & Emirates ID costs
- School registration fees
- Health insurance
- Car rental or purchase
- Furniture & home setup
- House deposits & admin fees
I suggest having at least 3–4 months of living expenses ready to go. It takes the pressure off massively.
11. Track Every Dirham
Your first month will be your most expensive – guaranteed.
Between IKEA runs, takeaways, petrol, random fees, and that one expensive brunch you didn’t realise was unlimited drinks per person… things add up fast.
Use apps like YNAB, Spendy, or even a Google Sheet to track where your money’s going. You’ll spot patterns quickly and stay in control.
🚗 Daily Life Tips
12. Don’t Rush to Buy a Car
I know it’s tempting – everyone drives in Dubai. But unless you know the market well, it’s easy to overpay or end up with a car that’s more hassle than it’s worth.
Instead, look into long-term rentals through companies like Hertz, Thrifty or Diamond Lease. Many offer packages with maintenance and insurance included, giving you flexibility without commitment.
13. Don’t Get Stuck with a Tourist SIM
Those tourist SIMs at the airport? Handy for a few days, but wildly overpriced if you keep them longer.
Once you’ve got your Emirates ID, switch to a proper mobile plan with Etisalat, du, or Virgin Mobile. You’ll save a fortune over time, and they usually offer better data bundles too.
🤝 Community & Extras
14. Join the Right Local Groups
Honestly, the Facebook and WhatsApp communities in Dubai are gold. Whether you need a handyman, a brunch recommendation, or a gently-used sofa – these groups are where you’ll find it.
Start with:
- British Dads Dubai
- British Mums Dubai
- SimplyFI – great for financial planning and investing locally
- Your local building or area WhatsApp group – ask your agent or neighbours to add you in
15. Read Up Before You Move
Before your plane even takes off, download a few of these:
- Expat Millionaire – smart, no-nonsense advice on building wealth as an expat
- The Entertainer App – full of 2-for-1 deals on restaurants, gyms, and staycations
- Gulfbuzz and Lovin Dubai – great for news, events, offers and what’s new in town
👋 Final Thought
Dubai is an incredible place to live – but it’s not cheap to set up here, and it’s easy to get caught out in those first few months. These 15 tips genuinely helped me save time, money and stress when I arrived. I hope they do the same for you.
📣 Want Even More Help?
Money Saver ME runs a Moving to Dubai Masterclass, covering everything from budgeting and schools to visas, cars and avoiding rookie mistakes.
🗓️ Next session: August
📩 Email [email protected] with “Masterclass Interested” in the subject line and we’ll send you the details.
