7 Things I Wish I Had Known Before Moving from the UK to Dubai

Practical lessons from navigating the UK-to-Dubai relocation as a professional with a family

Moving from the UK to Dubai is one of those decisions that looks straightforward on paper — better weather, no income tax, career opportunities — and then hits you with a wall of complexity the moment you start planning. I went through this process recently, and there are things I learned that I genuinely wish someone had told me earlier.

This is not a cheerful listicle about brunches and beach clubs. This is the practical stuff that actually matters when you are uprooting your life.

1. Your UK Tax Obligations Do Not End When Your Flight Lands

This catches almost everyone. Leaving the UK does not automatically make you a non-resident for tax purposes. HMRC applies the Statutory Residence Test (SRT), and if you get it wrong, you can remain UK tax resident — still liable for UK tax on your worldwide income — even while living and working in Dubai.

The key factors: how many days you spend in the UK after you leave, whether you keep a home available here, and whether your employment ties remain. If you are planning to keep a UK property or visit frequently, you need to model the SRT carefully — ideally before you hand in your notice, not after.

Split-year treatment exists and can help, but it is not automatic. You need to actively claim it.

2. The Visa System Has More Options Than You Think (and the Wrong One Costs You)

Most people default to an employer-sponsored visa because that is what their company arranges. But Dubai now has Golden Visas (10-year, for qualifying professionals and investors), Green Visas (5-year, self-sponsored), and Freelancer Visas that give you far more flexibility.

The visa type you choose affects everything: your ability to sponsor family members, whether you can switch jobs without leaving the country, and how much leverage you have in salary negotiations. An employer-sponsored visa ties you to that employer. A Golden Visa does not.

If you are a senior professional earning above AED 30,000 per month or hold a specialised qualification, you may qualify for the Golden Visa — and it changes the entire dynamic of your move.

3. School Places Need to Be Secured Months in Advance

If you have children, do not assume you can sort schools out after you arrive. The popular British curriculum schools in Dubai have genuine waiting lists, particularly for Reception and Year 1. Some require applications 6-12 months ahead.

Fees vary enormously — from AED 15,000 to over AED 100,000 per year depending on the curriculum and school tier. The KHDA ratings are publicly available and worth studying, but word of mouth from parents already in Dubai is honestly more useful for understanding the day-to-day reality.

Also worth knowing: many employers include a school fee allowance in their package. This is negotiable, and if you do not ask for it specifically, you probably will not get it.

4. The Cost of Living Is Not as Simple as “No Income Tax”

Yes, there is no income tax. But Dubai has costs that do not exist in the UK, and they add up fast.

Housing deposits are typically 5-10% of the annual rent, paid upfront. Most landlords want one to four cheques for the full year. DEWA (utilities) requires a deposit. School fees are paid termly or annually. Health insurance is mandatory and employer-provided, but family coverage often has gaps you need to supplement.

A family of three or four earning AED 40,000-50,000 per month will live comfortably but not extravagantly. Below that, it is tight — especially if you want the areas and schools that match what you are used to in the UK.

The real financial advantage kicks in at higher salaries where the tax savings genuinely outpace the higher living costs. Below roughly AED 30,000 per month for a family, the maths gets marginal. Tools like ExpatIQ can help you model the real numbers for your specific situation, but the principle holds: do the full financial comparison before you commit, not after.

5. Healthcare Works Differently Than the NHS (and That Is Not Always Bad)

There is no NHS equivalent. Health insurance is mandatory, and most employers provide it, but the quality varies significantly. Basic plans cover emergencies and outpatient visits. Comprehensive plans cover maternity, dental, and mental health.

The good news: access is fast. You can see a specialist within days, not months. The system is private and responsive. The less good news: you need to understand your policy limits, co-pays, and pre-existing condition clauses before you need them, not during an emergency.

If your family has ongoing health needs, get the insurance details in writing during your offer negotiation. This is the single most under-negotiated element of Dubai employment packages.

6. Area Selection Matters More Than You Expect

Dubai is not one city in the way London is. The communities are distinct and the distances are real. Living in Dubai Marina and working in DIFC is a very different daily experience from living in Arabian Ranches and commuting to ADGM in Abu Dhabi.

For British families, the most common areas are Jumeirah, Arabian Ranches, Dubai Hills, and Springs/Meadows. Each has a different trade-off between space, community feel, school proximity, and commute time.

Rent differences between areas can be 30-50% for similar property sizes. Choosing the right area is not just a lifestyle decision — it is a major financial one.

7. Your Professional Network Resets to Zero

This is the one that people underestimate most. In the UK, you have years of professional relationships, reputation, and context. In Dubai, you are starting fresh.

The expat professional community is active and welcoming, but building meaningful relationships takes time and deliberate effort. Industry events, professional groups, and even informal community gatherings matter more here than they did back home because they are how things actually get done.

Start building connections before you move. LinkedIn is useful, but introductions from people already in Dubai are worth ten times more.

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Making It Work

The UK-to-Dubai move can be genuinely transformative — financially, professionally, and for quality of life. But the difference between a smooth transition and a stressful one almost always comes down to preparation.

The people who get it right are the ones who do their research early: modelling the real financial picture, understanding the visa options, securing school places, and choosing the right area before they commit.

If you are in the early stages of planning a move from the UK to Dubai, ExpatIQ produces personalised relocation intelligence reports that cover tax, visa, housing, schools, and healthcare — tailored to your specific situation rather than generic advice. It is the kind of resource I wish had existed when I was going through this process.