Ejari online / at a centre
177.75 AED ≈ 44 € / 220 AED ≈ 55 €
Registration fees, depending on the eligible channel.
DLD ↗Everyday life in Dubai
Settle in. Compare. Make life easier.
Insurance, mobile, internet, groceries and services: practical information and sources to help plan your move.
Selection checked on 9 October 2026 · Sources linked on every cardThe right price depends on your circumstances.
Health insurance: request a quote for each family member, including provider network, deductibles, maternity and exclusions. Your quote takes precedence over any starting rate. Internet: check the exact address and compare the total cost, not just the promotion.
These resources are not a ranking or a guarantee of availability. Obtain insurance quotes and subscriptions directly from providers. This guide does not sign you up to any contract.
Beaches, parks and outings near home
Compare outings by area, children and extra costs.
Dubai life and outings →YOUR FIRST DECISIONS
Arrive with a plan and a budget.
Paperwork, groceries and driving: useful links in one place. Published fees are separated from illustrative assumptions.
What to do before signing?
- Before departure: confirm each person’s residence process, documents and employer-funded costs with the sponsor or employer. Allow for temporary accommodation while permanent housing paperwork is pending. Visa and Emirates ID ↗
- On arrival: track residence and Emirates ID applications with your contact. Confirm applicable appointments and documents; do not schedule everything around an assumed issue date.
- Housing: confirm accepted documents before committing, then arrange the lease and Ejari registration. DLD requires the applicant’s Emirates ID at trustee centres. Requirements vary by channel and case: signing, registration and temporary stays are distinct. DLD / Ejari ↗
- After the lease: arrange DEWA activation, check cooling arrangements and building move-in permission. Arrange internet once the address and availability are confirmed.
- Before driving: check the licence required for your status and issuing country with RTA, then with the rental company and insurer. This can progress alongside housing; check eligibility before buying a car. Licence exchange and RTA centres →
Suggested order, not guaranteed processing times. The checklist saves your ticks on this device; it does not approve administrative applications.
Open my checklist →Cost references to get started
Starting assumption: €1 = AED 4, not a live exchange rate. Adjust to your bank’s rate. This does not change the family budget simulator.
DEWA: refundable deposit
2,000 AED ≈ 500 € / 4,000 AED ≈ 1,000 €
Apartment / villa. Tied-up cash, separate from permanent expenditure.
DEWA ↗DEWA: activation
155 AED ≈ 39 €
Small-meter reference; check other fees and cooling separately.
DEWA ↗Licence: eye test only
140 AED ≈ 35 € – 180 AED ≈ 45 €
This is not the total exchange cost. Other fees depend on the application.
RTA ↗Official sources checked on 11 October 2026. Confirm fees at payment. Add initial rent, rental deposit, agency, schooling, moving costs and a safety reserve using your quotes.
Where to buy groceries?
Compare the same basket at your address: milk, eggs, fruit, vegetables, meat, nappies and household products. Imported French products and delivery can significantly change the total.
- Carrefour UAE ↗ — look for Reflets de France, subject to stock.
- Spinneys ↗ — compare available catalogue and imported products.
- Official essential-goods comparison ↗ — a starting point for product comparisons, not a guarantee of the cheapest basket.
2,500 AED ≈ 625 € / month · 30,000 AED ≈ 7,500 € / year
AED 2,500 is an illustrative working assumption for four people, not a verified market average. Replace it with your weekly basket × 52 ÷ 12. Count dining out and school meals separately.
Car: rent first or buy?
Rent — useful for testing journeys or staying flexible. Compare mileage limits, excess, VAT, deposit, child seats, tolls and early-return charges.
Buy — worth considering for a longer stay with available capital. Include insurance, maintenance, registration and resale risk. Have a used car independently inspected.
Rental: browse Hertz ↗ · Buying: DubiCars listings ↗
Search links, without endorsing individual offers or sellers. Request a quote including all taxes and fees.
Compare over 12 months — editable example
All starting amounts below are illustrative assumptions, not observed prices. Cash purchase, resale after 12 months; no resale profit assumed.
Rental: 12-month cost
24,000 AED ≈ 6,000 €
Purchase: cost after estimated resale
15,500 AED ≈ 3,875 €
Purchase capital alone required upfront: 60,000 AED ≈ 15,000 €. Fees and insurance may also be due upfront. Resale is neither immediate nor guaranteed.
Calculation: purchase − resale + insurance + maintenance + fees. Excludes financing, opportunity cost, fuel, parking and tolls. Add these to both options according to usage. Refundable deposits are not costs but require cash.
These examples do not replace your saved budget. Enter chosen amounts under Groceries and Cars; do not count both full purchase price and depreciation as spending in the same total.
Complete my 12-month budget →My saved preferences
32 resources and offers shown · Non-exhaustive selection
Mobile & internet: plans to compare
Prices and terms checked on 9 October 2026. Confirm VAT, address eligibility, upfront fees, renewal and cancellation terms before subscribing.
Mobile
du Power Plan 125
AED 125 excl. / 131.25 incl. VAT per month4 GB UAE mobile data + 100 Flexi minutes. Separate 8 GB Wi-Fi UAE allowance.
Commitment: 12 months
Port-in listing: AED 0 activation. Emirates ID and supporting documents required; confirm Flexi destinations and exit terms.
Official offer and terms ↗Budget for this plan
Enter your quote including VAT, taking the full twelve months into account. A short promotion is not a permanent rate.
This replaces your internet or household mobile budget. Activation is a separate line, replaced when you switch plans. Remove any activation already entered elsewhere to avoid double counting. Check deposits, commitment and termination fees too.
Mobile
du Power Plan 200
AED 200 excl. / 210 incl. VAT per month13 GB UAE mobile data + 400 Flexi minutes; rollover up to 6.5 GB.
Commitment: 12 months
Port-in listing: AED 0 activation. Promotional bonuses vary by channel; do not treat them as permanent allowances.
Official offer and terms ↗Budget for this plan
Enter your quote including VAT, taking the full twelve months into account. A short promotion is not a permanent rate.
This replaces your internet or household mobile budget. Activation is a separate line, replaced when you switch plans. Remove any activation already entered elsewhere to avoid double counting. Check deposits, commitment and termination fees too.
Home internet
e& Neo — fibre
AED 399 excl. / 418.95 incl. VAT per month, standard rateAdvertised 1 Gbps, unlimited data. Check fixed installation availability in the building.
Commitment: 12 months
Advertised offer: AED 319 excl. (334.95 incl. VAT) for 3 months starting in month 2. Router, phone and TV box are optional extras. Confirm setup and exit fees.
Official offer and terms ↗Budget for this plan
Enter your quote including VAT, taking the full twelve months into account. A short promotion is not a permanent rate.
This replaces your internet or household mobile budget. Activation is a separate line, replaced when you switch plans. Remove any activation already entered elsewhere to avoid double counting. Check deposits, commitment and termination fees too.
Home internet
e& Home Wireless Advance
AED 229 excl. / 240.45 incl. VAT per month, standard rate5G home internet, unlimited data. Test reception inside the home.
Commitment: 12 months
Bills 2–4: AED 206 excl. (216.30 incl. VAT). Optional 5G router at no advertised extra charge; tied to the registered home address. Early exit may include one standard monthly rental and remaining router charges.
Official offer and terms ↗Budget for this plan
Enter your quote including VAT, taking the full twelve months into account. A short promotion is not a permanent rate.
This replaces your internet or household mobile budget. Activation is a separate line, replaced when you switch plans. Remove any activation already entered elsewhere to avoid double counting. Check deposits, commitment and termination fees too.
Home internet
e& Home Wireless Premium
AED 299 excl. / 313.95 incl. VAT per month, standard rateUnlimited 5G home internet; advertised STARZPLAY and GoChat Premium.
Commitment: 24 months
Bills 2–4: AED 269 excl. (282.45 incl. VAT). First bill at prorated standard rate. Confirm coverage, address, extras and early exit fees.
Official offer and terms ↗Budget for this plan
Enter your quote including VAT, taking the full twelve months into account. A short promotion is not a permanent rate.
This replaces your internet or household mobile budget. Activation is a separate line, replaced when you switch plans. Remove any activation already entered elsewhere to avoid double counting. Check deposits, commitment and termination fees too.
Promotions change. The highlighted monthly rate may not represent the cost throughout the full contract.
Mobile
Virgin Mobile UAE
Check current pricingAnother mobile option to review in the app or website, based on data and calling needs.
No current price confirmed in this selection: check at checkout.
View information and pricing ↗Insurance
Health — family
Personalised quote per insured personIn Dubai, the employer covers the employee. Sponsors must arrange cover for dependants without employer coverage.
Confirm spouse, children, provider network, copayments, maternity and exclusions. Employee cover does not automatically cover the whole family.
View information and pricing ↗Insurance
GIG Gulf
Quote required — confirm price and policy termLocal or international health, motor, home and travel.
Compare the exact product: insured people, exclusions, limits, network, deductibles and overseas cover. A provider name does not guarantee eligibility for every plan.
View information and pricing ↗Insurance
Sukoon
Quote required — confirm price and policy termIndividual health, motor, home and travel.
Compare the exact product: insured people, exclusions, limits, network, deductibles and overseas cover. A provider name does not guarantee eligibility for every plan.
View information and pricing ↗Insurance
Daman
Quote required — confirm price and policy termIndividual and family health, and travel health insurance.
Compare the exact product: insured people, exclusions, limits, network, deductibles and overseas cover. A provider name does not guarantee eligibility for every plan. Abu Dhabi Basic Plan is separate; select a Dubai-suitable product.
View information and pricing ↗Insurance
ADNIC
Quote required — confirm price and policy termPersonal health, motor, home and travel cover.
Compare the exact product: insured people, exclusions, limits, network, deductibles and overseas cover. A provider name does not guarantee eligibility for every plan.
View information and pricing ↗Insurance
Liva
Quote required — confirm price and policy termIndividual health, motor, home and travel; review policy documents and medical networks.
Compare the exact product: insured people, exclusions, limits, network, deductibles and overseas cover. A provider name does not guarantee eligibility for every plan.
View information and pricing ↗Insurance
Cigna Healthcare Middle East
Quote required — confirm annual premiumIndividual and family health plans with international coverage options.
Compare the exact product: insured people, exclusions, limits, network, deductibles and overseas cover. A provider name does not guarantee eligibility for every plan.
View information and pricing ↗Insurance
Allianz Care — Dubai
Quote required — confirm annual premiumDubai-specific international health plans with different networks and territories.
Compare the exact product: insured people, exclusions, limits, network, deductibles and overseas cover. A provider name does not guarantee eligibility for every plan.
View information and pricing ↗Insurance
Sukoon — domestic help
AED 635/year excl. taxes — domestic help onlyPublic example specifically for domestic help: AED 635 per person per year, excluding VAT, taxes and levies.
This is not an expatriate adult, spouse or child health budget. Confirm eligibility and final premium.
View information and pricing ↗Insurance
Motor — third party or comprehensive
Annual quote requiredValid motor insurance is checked for registration. Compare third-party liability with damage cover for your own vehicle.
Price depends on car, driver and policy. Check agency repairs, excess, roadside help and exclusions.
View information and pricing ↗Insurance
Home — contents and liability
Quote depends on selected coverTenants and owners can compare contents, buildings and liability cover.
Do not confuse building insurance with cover for your belongings. Check insured values, exclusions and any lender requirements.
View information and pricing ↗Insurance
Travel — holidays and trips to France
Quote based on dates and destinationsCompare emergency care, cancellation, baggage and repatriation; single-trip or annual plans depending on provider.
Check destinations, maximum trip duration and exclusions. Travel insurance does not necessarily replace resident health cover.
View information and pricing ↗Insurance
CBUAE — insurance register
Starting point for checking licensed insurance entities. This guide is not a list of every insurer.
Check the underwriting entity and intermediary before sharing your application.
View information and pricing ↗Groceries · UAE / Al Barsha
Carrefour UAE — Reflets de France
Catalogue includes Reflets de France products. Carrefour also operates at Mall of the Emirates.
French product range and delivery depend on store, address and stock. Enter your address before comparing your basket.
View information and pricing ↗Groceries · Dubai Marina
Waitrose UAE
French cheese brands are listed in the catalogue; a store is located at Dubai Marina Mall’s Promenade Level.
Président, Le Rustique, Île de France or Soignon subject to availability. Check delivery slot and fees.
View information and pricing ↗Groceries
Spinneys — Bonne Maman
Catalogue includes Bonne Maman products; Dubai delivery depends on address.
Check products, stock, minimum order and fees after selecting the address. This is not a price comparison.
View information and pricing ↗Home & shopping · Downtown Dubai
Dubai Mall
Downtown Dubai shopping centre with Galeries Lafayette and Bloomingdale’s.
Check the directory and access before visiting. Walkway from Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station.
View information and pricing ↗Home & shopping · Al Barsha
Mall of the Emirates
In Al Barsha, with Carrefour on the ground floor and a metro connection.
Check stores, hours and parking conditions with the mall.
View information and pricing ↗Home & shopping · Dubai Marina
Dubai Marina Mall
A Marina shopping and services hub, with Waitrose on the Promenade Level.
Dubai Marina Mall tram or DMCC metro followed by a walk. Check the route from your home.
View information and pricing ↗Restaurants · Dubai Marina
Bistro des Arts
See the current menuFrench bistro food on Dubai Marina Promenade, near Marina Mall.
Check menu, prices and reservations before visiting. Access via the promenade; confirm opening hours.
View information and pricing ↗Restaurants · Business Bay
Couqley French Brasserie
See the current menuFrench brasserie at Pullman Dubai Downtown, Marasi Drive.
Review the menu and book via the official website; confirm the exact venue.
View information and pricing ↗Restaurants · DIFC
LPM Dubai
See the current menuFrench Riviera-inspired food at Gate Village 08, DIFC.
Check the menu and book; this guide does not assign a price ranking or quality score.
View information and pricing ↗Car
RTA — vehicle registration
Check renewal procedures, applicable vehicle inspection and valid insurance.
Budget insurance, inspection, registration, servicing, parking and tolls separately. Charges depend on the service.
View information and pricing ↗Getting set up
DEWA — water and electricity
Review utility activation procedures for your home.
Confirm deposit, activation fees and documents. District cooling may be billed separately depending on the home.
View information and pricing ↗Home & shopping
IKEA UAE — furniture and delivery
Furniture and home essentials with UAE delivery services.
Check delivery area, delivery charges, included or separate assembly and returns before ordering.
View information and pricing ↗Car · Al Quoz 3
Charlie — DX Garage, Dubai
Partner identified by Dimitri
Quote based on the work requiredYour contact: Charlie at DX Garage. Servicing, diagnostics, mechanical work, automotive electrical work and bodywork.
Workshop: Warehouse 10, Al Quoz 3, behind Equity station. Garage phone: +971 56 502 1269. Ask for Charlie and confirm the quote and appointment directly with the garage.
View information and pricing ↗Remember these budget items
Electricity and water, district cooling where applicable, deposits, internet setup, insurance for every family member, school transport, car maintenance, parking, tolls and groceries. Enter confirmed quotes in your 12-month budget.
Plan my family budget →Relocation guides →YOUR FIRST WEEKS
Practical steps for your arrival.
Banking and payments: preparing for your move to Dubai →
A local account, your first rent payment and transfers into dirhams: organise your payments before making commitments.
Nurseries and childcare in Dubai: choosing near your neighbourhood →
Find an option suited to your child’s age, your schedule and your journey. Inclusion in this neighbourhood selection does not mean places are available.
Everyday healthcare in Dubai: preparing for your family’s needs →
Insurance, doctors, pharmacies and documents: put practical arrangements in place before you need them.
Leaving France: your checklist for moving to the UAE →
Documents, organisations and consular registration: prepare your departure while keeping French procedures separate from UAE residency requirements.
Connect the information before deciding
Move from the area to the dossier, tools and your strategy. Related content does not establish that a project is suitable.