Emigrating to Dubai means leaving everyday life in Germany behind and taking the plunge to start anew in a modern and promising metropolis. Living and working in Dubai is a dream destination for people from all over the world. Dubai’s economy is growing rapidly, it offers an upscale lifestyle, and there are numerous tax breaks available. Unlike in Germany, Dubai enjoys vacation-like weather all year round. Below, we’ll outline additional reasons for emigrating to Dubai and familiarize you with the requirements for a fresh start—both personally and financially—in the Emirates.
Moving to Dubai—Here Are the Benefits You Can Expect
People who move to Dubai enjoy numerous benefits. Expats can expect attractive jobs with excellent career opportunities. In addition to the thriving economy, tax breaks are available. The high quality of life, first-class real estate, and a wide variety of recreational activities also make it easy for expats to quickly settle into life in Dubai and find an attractive place to live and a new, second home in the emirate.
An overview of the benefits for expats moving to Dubai:
Tax Relief
- Individuals do not have to pay income tax in Dubai
- Inheritances and investment income are also generally not taxed in the emirate.
Jobs and Careers
- Dubai’s economy is booming, attracting investors from all over the world and creating new, attractive jobs.
- A variety of career opportunities await in various industries in Dubai. Interesting and lucrative jobs are available in finance, the IT sector, construction, and the hotel and hospitality industry.
- Anyone who wants to start a business in Dubai faces far fewer bureaucratic hurdles than in Germany and can quickly turn their plans into reality.
Quality of Life and Safety
- Dubai has a state-of-the-art infrastructure. Expats can rent or buy first-class real estate. The educational and medical facilities meet high international standards. The availability of shopping malls, high-end boutiques, luxury restaurants, and recreational facilities for all ages further enhances the quality of life in Dubai.
- Anyone who wants to move to Dubai can enjoy a high level of safety. Strict laws and a strong police presence make Dubai one of the safest cities in the world.
- People from all over the world have found a new home in Dubai. This has created a melting pot of cultures. The vibrant, multicultural atmosphere is both motivating and inspiring. The community of German expats is large, making it easy for expats to quickly make new friends in Dubai and get involved in an active network where they can connect and exchange ideas.
Climate and Leisure
- Anyone who moves to Dubai escapes the dreary weather in Germany. The desert climate gives the emirate summer-like temperatures all year round. Rainfall is very rare. You can always go swimming in the Persian Gulf.
- Beaches, water parks, amusement parks, museums, and unique attractions create a diverse range of recreational options in Dubai for all generations.
Moving to Dubai—These Requirements Must Be Met
There are certain requirements that must be met in order to emigrate to Dubai. Without a residence permit, German citizens are not allowed to reside in Dubai permanently or work there.
A so-called residence visa is issued in the following ways:
- Sign an employment contract in Dubai. The employer will then take care of the paperwork.
- Buying a property in Dubai. Its value must be at least 750,000 AED/173,668 euros. We at Canaletto Sky would be happy to advise you on purchasing the right residential property in Dubai. In addition, prospective property owners must provide proof of sufficient income.
- Start a company in Dubai. It is also possible to invest in existing companies. Upon doing so, an investor visa will be issued.
Additional requirements that people moving to Dubai must meet:
- Job: To obtain a visa, a permanent job is usually required. If an employment contract has been signed with a company in Dubai, the employer acts as the visa sponsor.
- Health and Criminal History: Anyone seeking employment in Dubai must first undergo a medical examination. The purpose of this is to prevent the introduction of dangerous diseases. The examination must be conducted in Dubai. In addition, the authorities check whether the prospective immigrant has a criminal record.
- Health Insurance: Obtaining a visa is also contingent on providing proof of health insurance. Anyone who has accepted a job in Dubai is generally provided with health insurance through their employer.
- Residence: Before a visa is issued, expatriates must have signed a lease or provide proof of a purchase agreement for a property in Dubai.
- Finances: Women who are divorced or widowed must provide proof that they can support themselves with their own resources.
Visas and Emirates ID
After receiving their residence visa, immigrants are issued an Emirates ID. Both documents are initially valid for two years. Renewing them after this period expires is no problem at all. The Emirates ID is comparable to a German identity card and is frequently used in daily life in Dubai.
For example, expatriates need an Emirates ID for the following:
- Buying or Renting Real Estate
- Transactions with Banks
- A Visit to the Doctor
- Buying Cars
To obtain a residence permit for the entire family, you can apply for a family visa for the remaining family members after receiving your own visas. Another way to obtain a residence permit in the Emirates is to hire family members through your own company.
Types of Visas
Travelers can obtain a tourist visa free of charge upon arrival in Dubai. The visa is valid for a limited period and does not allow the holder to engage in any professional activity in the emirate. For expats, only a permanent visa is an option.
There are several options:
Green Visa
No sponsor is required for this visa. Typically, the employer acts as the sponsor. With the Green Visa, the immigrant sponsors themselves. An employment contract is also mandatory here. There are strict requirements regarding the qualifications obtained as well. For example, a bachelor’s degree is one of the minimum requirements. A Green Visa is valid for up to five years.
Standard Work Visa
To obtain a Standard Work Visa, you must prove that you have a permanent job in Dubai and have a sponsor. The visa allows expatriates to live and work in the emirate for two to three years. The validity period depends on the industry in which the expatriate works.
Blue Visa
This visa is a new program. Anyone wishing to obtain a Blue Visa must take steps to protect the environment both locally and internationally and contribute to sustainability. The visa allows for a stay of up to ten years in Dubai.
Moving to Dubai—These Jobs Are in Demand
Anyone who wants to move to Dubai must stand on their own two feet in the emirate and will encounter some new customs along the way. The traditional workweek in Dubai runs from Sunday through Thursday. Full-time employees work 40 to 48 hours. Gradually, many companies have adopted the Monday-through-Friday workweek, which is also standard in Germany.
English has proven to be the language of business in Dubai. Learning Arabic is not a requirement, but it is appreciated in daily interactions with locals. Some industries require knowledge of Arabic. Be sure to check this in advance and take an appropriate course.
Salaries are higher than the average paid in Germany. No income tax is due. Dubai does not provide any statutory social benefits. Each resident is responsible for making their own arrangements for social security and retirement.
The following industries in Dubai are desperately seeking qualified professionals:
- Finance
- IT Industry
- Engineering
- Marketing
- Healthcare Industry
- Tourism
Many well-known German companies have branches in Dubai. Expats can contact these companies in advance at their headquarters or draw attention to themselves by submitting unsolicited applications.
Applications for jobs in Dubai must be submitted in English. The cover letter should not contain any errors. In addition, the application must include a resume with a photo and all relevant diplomas and certificates. Have your documents translated into English and, if necessary, notarized.
Moving to Dubai as an Influencer
Summer, sun, luxury, a zest for life, and plenty of great backdrops for photos. Dubai has become a paradise for influencers. German influencers like Sarah Harrison, Fiona Erdmann, Georgina Fleur, Bushido, and Kim Virginia Hartung show just how exciting and lucrative it can be to live and work as an influencer in Dubai.
The tax reform has changed the situation for influencers living in Dubai. Anyone who wants to work there must hold an influencer license. Applications can be submitted online. One requirement is to demonstrate an annual income of approximately 3,500 euros. Furthermore, influencers who wish to live and work in Dubai must commit to promoting the emirate positively through their own social media channels.
Anyone who already has a residence visa can apply for the influencer license as well. To obtain a visa, establishing a company is practically a prerequisite. The costs depend on various factors and are generally in the four-digit range.
Moving to Dubai with Children
Anyone who wants to move to Dubai with their entire family needs a residence visa and an Emirates ID for every family member. Only those who have these documents can legally reside in Dubai and work. Children cannot attend school or childcare facilities in Dubai without the appropriate documents.
The Most Important Basics for Moving to Dubai with Children
- Visas: Each family member needs a visa and an Emirates ID. Adults need these documents to be able to work. Children cannot attend an educational institution without these documents.
- Compulsory Education: All children between the ages of 6 and 18 must attend school in Dubai. In this way, the emirate ensures that every child has adequate access to education.
- Preschool: Attending preschool is not mandatory in the United Arab Emirates. The preschools in the country follow international curricula and use progressive educational approaches to provide targeted early learning for young children.
- Colleges and Universities: Dubai is home to a large number of prestigious colleges and universities. A wide range of degree programs is offered. Students who have moved to Dubai have found that the emirate offers an education that meets internationally recognized standards.
Applying for a Visa for Children – Here’s How
To live permanently in the emirate, the entire family needs residence visas. First, the parents will apply for their residence permits and enter Dubai with their children. In the meantime, the children will receive a tourist visa valid for 90 days. Once they have received their Emirates ID, the parents can sponsor their children.
What are the requirements for sponsoring the children?
Parents must meet the following requirements in order to obtain a visa and an Emirates ID for their children:
- Residence Permit (Residence Visa)
- Residence (Lease Agreement or Real Estate Purchase Agreement)
- Proof of income (minimum monthly salary of 4,000 AED/925 euros)
In the United Arab Emirates, the following documents are required for parents to sponsor their children:
- Passport (Child)
- Passport photo of the child
- Birth Certificate (translated and certified)
- Parents’ Visas and Emirates IDs
- Employment contract or pay stub as proof of income
- Employment Contract or Articles of Incorporation (copy)
If the children are stepchildren, the biological parent must give consent for them to travel to Dubai.
Moving to Dubai: Checklist
To make sure you don’t forget anything if you’re planning to move to Dubai, we’ve put together a short checklist for you.
- Verification of the Requirements for Obtaining a Visa
- Building the necessary financial reserves for the planned emigration
- Job Search in Dubai (Job Boards, German Companies with Branches in Dubai)
- Applying for a Health Card After Getting a Job
- Have documents for the visa application translated and certified
- Submitting the Visa Application
After receiving the residence visa, the following steps must be taken:
- Finding suitable housing (renting an apartment, buying a home)
- Preparing for a Move in Germany
- Applying for an Emirates ID
- Transfer of a Driver’s License
After arriving in Dubai, one of the necessary steps is to open a bank account there.
Moving to Dubai: How Much Money Do I Need?
Starting over in a foreign country requires some investment. For example, applying for a visa costs money, and anyone who wants to start a business in Dubai will need some start-up capital. A large portion of the costs will go toward finding the right property. Health insurance and retirement planning should also be considered. It’s safe to assume that expats will need five-figure startup capital to start a new life in Dubai.
Dubai offers a high standard of living. On average, the cost of living is lower than in Germany. You’ll generally need to budget more for rent. Ultimately, the price depends on the property’s location and amenities. Gas is cheaper in Dubai than in Germany. Dining out is comparable to German standards. At luxury restaurants, however, you’ll have to dig deeper into your pockets.
Photo credit: Depositphotos.com – gorlovkv (Kyryl Gorlov)
