
United Arab Emirates
Cost of living, salaries, tax rates & quality of life
Quick Facts
Key stats and figures for United Arab Emirates
Capital
Abu Dhabi
Languages
Arabic, English
Currency
UAE Dirham (AED)
Cost of Living
20% below US
Avg. Salary
د.إ 126k/yr
Timezone
UTC+4
Population
10 million
Expats
10 million
Quality of Life
Based on Numbeo Quality of Life Index
Cost of Living & Salary Benchmarks
Compare expenses and earning potential across major cities
| City | Rent | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai | AED 8,571 | AED 11,278 |
| Abu Dhabi | AED 7,500 | AED 10,000 |
| Sharjah | AED 4,500 | AED 6,650 |
Rent based on 1-bedroom apartment in city center. All values in AED/month.
Professions selected based on global skilled worker visa demand, international shortage occupation lists, and career mobility potential for relocating professionals.
| Profession | Min | Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology | |||
| Software Engineer | AED 180,000 | AED 420,000 | |
| Data Scientist | AED 160,000 | AED 400,000 | |
| Product Manager | AED 200,000 | AED 450,000 | |
| Healthcare | |||
| Registered Nurse | AED 84,000 | AED 180,000 | |
| Medical Doctor (GP) | AED 300,000 | AED 720,000 | |
| Engineering | |||
| Mechanical Engineer | AED 120,000 | AED 300,000 | |
| Civil Engineer | AED 108,000 | AED 280,000 | |
| Marketing | |||
| Marketing Manager | AED 180,000 | AED 360,000 | |
| Digital Marketing Specialist | AED 96,000 | AED 180,000 | |
| Finance | |||
| Financial Analyst | AED 120,000 | AED 300,000 | |
| Legal | |||
| Lawyer | AED 150,000 | AED 500,000 | |
Salaries are annual gross estimates. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, company, and location.
Tax Rates
Key tax information for United Arab Emirates
Personal Income Tax
0% (no personal income tax)
Corporate Tax
9% (above AED 375,000)
Capital Gains Tax
0%
VAT / Sales Tax
5%
Good to Know
No personal income tax; corporate tax introduced in 2023
Language & Culture
What to expect when living in United Arab Emirates
Official Languages
English Proficiency
HighLanguage Requirements
No language requirement for most work visas
Good to Know
English is the business lingua franca; Arabic is official
Popular Visa Pathways to United Arab Emirates
Latest News
The United Arab Emirates in the News
Recent coverage on visas, policy changes and life in the United Arab Emirates
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Spain, Portugal, Greece, and the UK have each closed or curtailed their investor residency routes since 2022. Here's a scorecard of what's closed, what's tightened, and where investor demand has shifted.
Data Sources
Last updated: July 2026
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general guidance only and should not be considered legal or financial advice. Cost of living, salary, and quality of life data are estimates based on third-party sources and may vary. Always verify current information with official government sources before making immigration decisions.