01
Saadiyat Island
Beaches and culture; worth exploring if Théodore Monod is your target school. Check the route from the exact residence, housing cost and included beach access.
Théodore Monod · Saadiyat ↗View on map ↗Abu Dhabi →
Your family · Your next chapter
Move to Abu Dhabi with a clearer plan.
Start with school and workplace. Connect neighbourhood, housing and budget before making a commitment.
Prepared by Dimitri Gourier · Sources reviewed 11 October 2026. Initial, non-exhaustive selection.
Six areas to start your search.
These are starting points, not a ranking. Visit the home, test the journey to the exact campus and compare equivalent listings. No fixed journey time or average rent is promised here.
02
Al Reem Island
An option for apartment living and schooling at Repton. Compare both campuses, parking exits and the actual school-run route.
Repton Abu Dhabi ↗View on map ↗03
Khalifa City
Explore for villas and international schools. Assess car needs and the commute before comparing floor areas.
Al Raha International · Check campus ↗View on map ↗04
Yas Island
Leisure and shopping, including Yas Mall. Our advice: visit on a weekday and test the school run, not just the weekend attractions.
Yas · School research ↗View on map ↗05
Al Mushrif
A residential option within the city. Check parks and shops around the property, then the route to Louis Massignon if you prefer the French curriculum.
Louis Massignon · Verify route ↗View on map ↗06
Al Khalidiyah
Explore for city life and the Corniche. Check parking, noise and the school-bus route from your chosen building.
ADEK · Confirm campus ↗View on map ↗Area references: Abu Dhabi Residents Office ↗. Practical checks are our editorial guidance; a named school guarantees neither admission nor a short commute.
School before the tenancy.
Confirm year group, campus, availability and the complete annual bill. Age alone does not determine admission.
Théodore Monod
Saadiyat · French curriculum · 2026–2027
- Kindergarten : 33,490 AED (≈ 8,138 €) / year
- CP–CM2 : 40,030 AED (≈ 9,727 €) / year
- Bus : 5,000 AED (≈ 1,215 €) / child/year
Bilingual option: AED 4,500 in kindergarten; AED 5,250 from CP to seconde and for BFI. Meals, uniforms, books and activities cost extra. See the schedule for other grades and discounts.
Official 2026–2027 schedule ↗Louis Massignon
Rabdan Street · French curriculum
The official page reviewed displays a 2025–2026 schedule. Request a 2026–2027 quote for your year group; we do not present old fees as current prices.
Also check supplies, books by year group, transport and meals.
School fees and contact ↗Repton Abu Dhabi
Al Reem · British curriculum · 2026–2027
- FS1–FS2 : 63,740 AED (≈ 15,488 €) / year
- Year 1–2 : 70,700 AED (≈ 17,179 €) / year
- Year 3–8 : 73,250 AED (≈ 17,799 €) / year
Rose Campus: FS1–Year 2; Fry Campus from Year 3. Books: AED 750 for FS1–Year 2. Meals, transport and trips excluded.
Official fees and other year groups ↗Euros use the simulator reference dated 9 October 2026, not a live rate. Check curricula and inspections with ADEK ↗.
Your first year, cost by cost.
My family plan · Abu Dhabi
From school to arrival cash.
Editable planning example, not a quote: costs other than published school fees are assumptions. Replace each amount with your offer including taxes. A missing price or zero field does not mean a service is free.
2. My area and spending — edit
3. My twelve-month payments — edit
Recurring annual spending
270,030 AED (≈ 65,614 €)
First-year spending excluding deposits
290,030 AED (≈ 70,474 €)
Tied-up deposits, separate from spending
6,000 AED (≈ 1,458 €)
Starting cash under this scenario, including reserve
109,512 AED (≈ 26,610 €)
| Month | Outgoings | Income | Cumulative balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 99,512 | 25,000 | -74,512 |
| 2 | 7,500 | 25,000 | -57,012 |
| 3 | 7,500 | 25,000 | -39,512 |
| 4 | 37,500 | 25,000 | -52,012 |
| 5 | 19,509 | 25,000 | -46,521 |
| 6 | 7,500 | 25,000 | -29,021 |
| 7 | 37,500 | 25,000 | -41,521 |
| 8 | 19,509 | 25,000 | -36,030 |
| 9 | 7,500 | 25,000 | -18,530 |
| 10 | 37,500 | 25,000 | -31,030 |
| 11 | 7,500 | 25,000 | -13,530 |
| 12 | 7,500 | 25,000 | 3,970 |
Optional storage in this browser only. No child names requested. No automatic submission.
Discuss my plan with Dimitri →Alternative: enter my overall budget
Editable example: two primary pupils at Théodore Monod (2 × AED 40,030). Other amounts are planning assumptions, not average prices or quotes. Replace them with your offers. 2026–2027 school fees ↗
Without a known municipal value, the estimate uses only your rent: the actual bill may be higher. Automatic mode models a non-exempt annual residential tenancy; for another regime, enter the confirmed amount.
Everyday spending: groceries, utilities, cooling, internet, mobiles, car or rental, fuel, parking and leisure. Do not count municipality or school charges again. Setup: temporary housing, moving, furniture, agency fees and administrative costs you pay.
Recurring annual spending
318,060 AED (≈ 77,285 €)
Monthly equivalent, excluding setup
26,505 AED (≈ 6,440 €)
First-year spending
338,060 AED (≈ 82,145 €)
First year + tied-up deposits
344,060 AED (≈ 83,603 €)
Modelled municipality fee: 6,000 AED (≈ 1,458 €) per year: 5% of the higher entered basis (rent / municipal reference), minimum AED 450/year when a positive basis is entered, unless a confirmed amount overrides it. Check the applicable amount with TAQA. TAQA ↗ · ADREC / DARI ↗
Cash needed on arrival depends on rent and school due dates: the annual total is not all payable on day one. Deposits are separate because they may be refundable. Indicative simulator exchange reference: 9 October 2026, not live; bank charges excluded.
Discuss this budget on WhatsApp →Opens a draft message, sent only if you confirm. Your entries are not saved.
Often-forgotten costs checklist
Before relying on the total, check these items. None is added automatically: include each quote in the relevant field, once only.
- School: deductible or additional registration fees, bus, meals, uniforms, books, exams, bilingual options and activities.
- Home: agency fees and taxes, tenancy registration, cooling, utility deposits, internet and moving.
- Family: visas and documents, flights, childcare, medical deductibles and uncovered care.
- Car: licence, insurance, registration, servicing, fuel, tolls and parking.
- Cash: rent and school due dates, employer contributions and an emergency reserve.
The family planner above connects children, spending and twelve-month payments. Adapt amounts and due dates to your actual contracts. The six areas are not a complete directory.
A practical sequence for your move.
1. Before moving: employment, schooling and cover
Confirm the residence process, covered expenses and children’s insurance with your employer or sponsor. Prepare school records and check places before choosing a tenancy.
Check the official service ↗2. On arrival: residency and Emirates ID
Follow the ICP steps for your status: documents, medical screening where required and biometrics. Timelines are not guaranteed. Arrange temporary housing and check each contract’s document requirements.
Check the official service ↗3. Housing: tenancy, registration and utilities
Ask for rent, payment instalments, deposits, agency fees, cooling and maintenance in writing. For homes under Tawtheeq, verify registration and TAQA activation. Some zones have a separate framework: confirm the property’s regime.
Check the official service ↗4. Driving: check before getting behind the wheel
Abu Dhabi Mobility directs residents to TAMM for licensing and eligible foreign licence exchanges. Do not assume visitor driving rules continue after becoming a resident. Check licence country, documents, eye test and fees in the official service.
Check the official service ↗5. First week: organise everyday life
Check the insurance provider network, paediatrician, school bus and morning/evening journeys. Ask operators about building coverage and cancellation costs. Photograph the property condition before moving in.
Check the official service ↗Your practical Abu Dhabi directory
A selection to request quotes and prepare contracts. No provider is presented as an endorsed partner without verification. Enter the tax-inclusive quotes in your family plan.
Health insurance
Request a family quote, hospital network and out-of-pocket costs. Compare employer coverage before buying a second policy.
Daman ↗Add my quote to my budget ↑Internet and phones
Check address coverage, speed, mobile data, VAT, promotional duration, commitment and cancellation. Compare twelve-month cost, not just the first month.
e& ↗Add my quote to my budget ↑Buying a car
Dubizzle is a search starting point, not a seller guarantee. Before buying: independent inspection, history, outstanding finance, insurance and transfer. Budget servicing and depreciation.
Dubizzle ↗Add my quote to my budget ↑Licensing, registration and driving
Start by checking licence exchange eligibility and documents on TAMM via Abu Dhabi Mobility. Do not assume visitor driving rights continue after your residency status changes.
Abu Dhabi Mobility ↗Add my quote to my budget ↑Tolls and parking
Check DARB rules and parking zones on your actual routes. These costs are additional to fuel; include them in your transport budget.
DARB ↗Add my quote to my budget ↑Groceries and neighbourhood shops
Map shops near the home and compare your usual basket, delivery fees and parking. Keep imported treats and eating out separate from everyday groceries.
Abu Dhabi Residents Office ↗Add my quote to my budget ↑Raha International: two campuses
Gardens and Khalifa City are distinct campuses. Request curriculum, grade, availability, fees and transport for your chosen campus. Enter the quote under “other school” in the calculator.
Raha International ↗Add my quote to my budget ↑Utilities and tenancy
Check the property’s tenancy registration, TAQA activation, deposits and cooling billing. Do not automatically transfer Dubai arrangements to Abu Dhabi.
TAQA ↗Add my quote to my budget ↑Rent or buy a car?
For an uncertain arrival, compare flexible rental and included mileage. For a longer stay, compare annual ownership cost: purchase price less estimated resale value, plus insurance, maintenance and fees. The full purchase price is upfront cash, not a cost to repeat annually. In this calculator, enter a cash purchase under setup and only running costs under monthly transport. Resale value is not guaranteed and is not deducted from the schedule.
What deserves a quote before you decide.
Health cover: obtain a personalised quote for each family member, including hospital network, deductibles, maternity and medical history. Car: compare rental and purchase including insurance, maintenance, parking and resale. Housing: advertised rent is not the whole bill; check cooling, fees and payment dates.
Our support focuses on your property search; confirm insurance and administrative requirements with the relevant organisations.