UAE · Middle East
Moving to Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi quick facts
Cost of living in Abu Dhabi
Getting set up in UAE
Residence visa & Emirates ID
Your employer drives almost all of this: they secure the MoHRE work permit and ICP entry permit, then you do a medical fitness test and Emirates ID biometrics, and the residence visa is issued digitally. Since 2022 there is no passport sticker outside Dubai — your Emirates ID IS your proof of residency, and it is the single key that unlocks banking, a postpaid SIM, a tenancy contract and a driving licence. Abu Dhabi runs on the federal ICP (not Dubai's GDRFA), the TAMM portal and SEHA medical centres. The whole file must be completed within 60 days of entry.
Read the full step-by-step guideConverting your foreign driving licence
If your licence is from one of ~50-57 approved countries (GCC, US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, NZ, Japan, South Korea, China, South Africa and more), Abu Dhabi lets you swap it for a UAE licence with no lessons and no road test — just an eye test, a translation if your licence is not in English or Arabic, and fees. You handle it through the Abu Dhabi government's TAMM platform / Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), not Dubai's RTA. Holders of non-approved licences (notably India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines) must instead open a traffic file, enrol at a licensed Abu Dhabi driving institute and pass theory, yard and road tests. Women drive on exactly the same terms as men.
Read the full step-by-step guideOpening a bank account
A full current account in the UAE is effectively gated by your Emirates ID. Once your residence visa is issued and your Emirates ID arrives, you can open an account with First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), ADCB, Emirates NBD or Mashreq in minutes — often entirely in-app by scanning your Emirates ID and doing a face/liveness check. You can sometimes start earlier on a passport + visa + salary certificate, but the account usually stays a limited savings account until the Emirates ID lands. The account you actually want is a salary-transfer (WPS) current account: it waives the minimum-balance requirement, but only if your employer is registered with that bank and your net salary clears a threshold (commonly AED 5,000).
Read the full step-by-step guideHealth insurance & healthcare
Abu Dhabi runs its OWN mandatory health insurance scheme through the Department of Health — Abu Dhabi (DoH) — not Dubai's DHA. Your employer must buy you a DoH-compliant policy, and crucially Abu Dhabi is the only emirate where the employer is also legally required to cover your spouse and up to three children. No valid policy, no residence visa: the insurance certificate gates the visa issue and every renewal. Expats typically get the Daman 'Abu Dhabi Basic Plan' (a public-network plan) unless the employer upgrades you; care is delivered across SEHA public hospitals and private flagships like Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Emergencies: 998 for ambulance, 999 for police.
Read the full step-by-step guideGetting a SIM / mobile plan
Abu Dhabi has effectively two mobile networks: e& (formerly Etisalat) and du (Virgin Mobile is a separate brand but runs on du's network as an MVNO). A visitor or brand-new arrival can buy a prepaid 'Visitor Line' on a passport and visa within minutes of landing — often picking up a free welcome eSIM at Abu Dhabi airport. A real postpaid contract, however, requires an Emirates ID, so most people run prepaid for the first few weeks until residency comes through, then convert. Every SIM is tied to your identity under the federal 'My Number, My Identity' rule, and you can check what's registered to you via TDRA's free Hesabati tool.
Read the full step-by-step guidePersonal tax: no income tax, 5% VAT & gratuity
The UAE levies no personal income tax on salaries, wages or allowances — there is nothing to file and nothing withheld from your paycheck. The taxes that actually touch you are a 5% VAT on most goods and services (already in the price tag) and, if you run a business, a 9% federal Corporate Tax on profits. That corporate tax does NOT apply to your employment salary. There is no state pension for expats; instead you accrue an end-of-service gratuity, a lump sum paid when you leave a job. If you are a US citizen, you must still file a US return regardless of UAE tax-free status.
Read the full step-by-step guideEach guide has verified costs, timelines, required documents, and the non-obvious gotchas — sourced from official government pages.
Essential Arabic phrases
What to know before you go
Respect Islamic customs, especially in Ramadan
CriticalDress modestly in public, malls and government buildings. During Ramadan, don't eat, drink or smoke in public during daylight, even if you're not fasting — though many places now screen off daytime dining.
The UAE work week is Monday-Friday
ImportantSince 2022 the UAE runs a Monday-Friday week (Friday is a half-day for the public sector), with a Saturday-Sunday weekend — unlike Saudi Arabia or Qatar. Schedule accordingly.
Alcohol is legal but only in licensed venues
CriticalYou can drink in licensed hotels, bars and restaurants; a personal licence is no longer needed to buy from licensed shops in Abu Dhabi. But public intoxication is an offence and there is absolute zero tolerance for drink-driving.
Mind public-decency rules
ImportantKeep public displays of affection minimal, avoid rude gestures and swearing (they can be legal offences), and be careful what you post about others online. The UAE takes respect and reputation seriously.
Plan life around the summer heat
Good to knowSummers hit the mid-40s°C with high humidity. Everything is indoors and air-conditioned; outdoor activity is an early-morning or after-dark affair from June to September.
Tipping is appreciated, not mandatory
Good to knowMany bills add a service charge; otherwise 10-15% is a kind gesture in restaurants. Round up for taxis and tip valets and delivery riders a few dirhams.
Top industries & employers
Energy
ADNOC, TAQA, Masdar
ADNOC anchors the economy, while Masdar makes Abu Dhabi a serious clean-energy and renewables player.
Sovereign wealth
ADIA, Mubadala, ADQ
Three of the world's largest sovereign wealth funds are headquartered here, driving global investment.
Finance (ADGM)
Abu Dhabi Global Market, FAB, ADCB
ADGM is the international financial free zone on Al Maryah Island, with its own English-common-law courts.
Aerospace & defence
EDGE Group, Mubadala, Etihad Airways
A major hub for aviation, defence manufacturing and the national carrier.
Technology & AI
G42, Microsoft, Presight
Abu Dhabi is betting heavily on AI and data, anchored by G42 and a fast-growing tech ecosystem.
Culture & tourism
Louvre Abu Dhabi, Miral (Yas Island), DCT
Saadiyat's museums and Yas Island's parks showcase the emirate's diversification beyond oil.
Where to go in Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Landmark · Abu Dhabi city
One of the world's largest mosques — dazzling white marble, reflective pools and 82 domes.
Local tip: Go near sunset when the marble glows and the heat drops; dress modestly (abayas are provided) and entry is free.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
Culture · Saadiyat Island
Jean Nouvel's domed museum on the water, famous for its 'rain of light' lattice roof.
Local tip: Visit late afternoon for the best light through the dome, then walk over to Saadiyat's beach.
The Corniche
Nature · Corniche
An 8km landscaped waterfront with cycle paths, parks and a Blue Flag city beach.
Local tip: Rent a bike at dawn or dusk to dodge the heat; the beach is calm and well-kept.
Yas Island
Nightlife · Yas Island
The entertainment hub: Ferrari World, the F1 circuit at Yas Marina, Warner Bros World and a waterpark.
Local tip: Race weekend (late in the year) transforms the island; visit off-peak for shorter queues and lower prices.
Qasr Al Watan
Culture · Ras Al Akhdar
The working presidential palace, opened to visitors, with breathtaking halls and a vast library.
Local tip: The free evening light-and-sound show on the facade, viewed from the gardens, is worth timing your visit around.
Eastern Mangroves
Hidden gemNature · Eastern Mangroves
A protected coastal forest threaded with channels you can kayak right inside the city.
Local tip: Book a sunrise kayak or paddleboard tour — you'll glide past herons with the skyline behind you.