For several years now, you have been considering leaving Europe to launch your business. Indeed, you are already an entrepreneur in France, but you feel that the tax conditions are not in place to allow companies to reach their full potential.
After conducting extensive research, the United Arab Emirates seem to you to be the perfect location for your future business. To best support the launch and development of
your company in Dubai, you intend to settle in the country. But you have questions about
the cost of living in the United Arab Emirates: is it higher or lower than in France? What are the main expense categories to plan for?
The answers to all your questions can be found in this article.
A lower cost of living than in France
Good news! In the United Arab Emirates,
the cost of living is on average 12% lower than in France. And local purchasing power? On average, 15% higher, which is mainly explained by slightly higher salaries.
Once you are settled in Dubai, you will realize that some expenses are less expensive in the United Arab Emirates. Here are a few examples from everyday life:
- A meal at a mid-range restaurant: - 30%
- A liter of gasoline: - 60%
- A monthly public transportation pass: - 20%
- A pack of cigarettes: - 60%
- A 1.5L bottle of water: - 25%
- A pair of branded jeans: - 20%
- A cinema ticket: - 15%
Of course, this is not true of everything. There are still some everyday expenses that will prove slightly more expensive:
- Alcohol in general: a local beer costs + 70%, while an imported beer costs +110%
- A sports club membership: + 75%
- A liter of milk: + 45%
However, all things considered, you will feel that your
purchasing power is higher in the United Arab Emirates than in France: most everyday expenses remain less expensive and salaries are generally higher.
But watch out for real estate!
Although the
cost of living is often lower in the United Arab Emirates, you should still be careful when it comes to real estate. You will need to find accommodation in the United Arab Emirates, and you will quickly realize that it does not come cheap.
Of course, everything depends on the type of accommodation you are looking for and its location. The difference between a small studio in the city center and a large villa near the sea is obviously very significant.
Here is a comparison with France:
- Renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city center: + 140%
- Renting a one-bedroom apartment outside the city center: + 130%
- Renting a three-bedroom apartment in the city center: + 170%
- Renting a three-bedroom apartment outside the city center: + 140%
I want to move to the United Arab Emirates: where should I start?
In order to
live in Dubai or anywhere else in the United Arab Emirates, you need to have a
residence visa. If you decide to set up a company in Dubai, you will have the opportunity to obtain a visa for yourself and your family (as well as for your employees and their families). To help you with all these procedures, please know that we can assist you. This way, you can focus on launching
your business in Dubai.
We can also advise you on your property search. In particular, we can put you in touch with a partner real estate agency that is accustomed to offering properties for rent and sale to foreign entrepreneurs.
Would you like to learn more about
the cost of living in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates in general before taking the plunge? Please do not hesitate to contact one of our advisors.
