Moving to Dubai: Keys to Success in the Desert Metropolis

Every year Dubai attracts entrepreneurs, professionals and families from the German-speaking countries. The reasons are easy to understand: an international environment, a high level of safety, excellent flight connections and a tax system without personal income tax. Whether the fresh start succeeds, however, is rarely decided on the beach but in the details of visa, taxes, housing and daily life. This guide shows you what matters. Status: October 2026.

Why Dubai and what you can realistically expect

Dubai is a trading and financial hub with clients and partners from all over the world. Europe, Asia and Africa are only a few flight hours away. The infrastructure is modern, most dealings with authorities run digitally, and English is almost always enough in business and daily life.

There are also points you should plan for:

• Costs: Rents, school fees and insurance are above German levels in many districts.
• Climate: From June to September temperatures regularly exceed 40 °C, and life moves indoors into air-conditioned spaces.
• Legal framework: The legal system and social rules differ from Germany. What is allowed there may be judged differently here.
• Dependence on your visa: Your stay always depends on a sponsor. If you close your company or lose your job, you need to sort out a new status quickly.

Residence status as the foundation

Without a residence visa you cannot live in Dubai permanently, sign a tenancy contract in your own name or open a regular personal bank account. German citizens can enter visa-free for short stays.

The main visa routes

• Through your own company in a free zone or on the mainland. For the self-employed and entrepreneurs this is the most common route.
• Through employment with a UAE employer.
• Golden Visa with ten years' validity, for example through property worth at least AED 2 million in Dubai or through certain investment, entrepreneur and professional categories. The investor threshold of AED 10 million that used to be quoted is outdated.
• Retirement visa for five years from age 55 or after at least 15 years of employment, with proof of income (in Dubai for example AED 15,000 per month), savings or property of AED 1 million.

Process and timing

The process starts with an entry permit through your sponsor, followed by the medical test, biometrics and the issuance of the residence permit and Emirates ID. Since 2022 there is no longer a visa sticker in your passport; the Emirates ID is your proof. With complete documents this usually takes a few weeks. The competent authorities are the ICP and, in Dubai, the GDRFA.

Which other points to clarify before the move is covered in our article 5 things you should consider when moving to Dubai. Support with your visa is available through our Dubai Residency and Golden Visa Dubai services.

Putting taxes into perspective

Dubai is no longer “tax-free” in the sense of “no taxes for anyone”. For private individuals the rule still applies: the UAE levies no income tax on salaries, private investment income or private rental income. For businesses, however, a lot has changed.

• Corporate Tax: Corporate Tax applies for financial years starting on or after 1 June 2023. Taxable profit up to AED 375,000 is taxed at 0 % (tax-free allowance), the portion above at 9 %. More in our glossary under Corporate Tax UAE.
• Small Business Relief: With revenue of no more than AED 3 million per period and in all previous periods, the relief can be used for tax periods ending on or before 31 December 2029. Qualifying Free Zone Persons and members of multinational groups are excluded.
• Free zone companies: 0 % applies only to qualifying income and only if the conditions of a Qualifying Free Zone Person are met. Services to mainland customers are generally not qualifying.
• Natural persons are only subject to Corporate Tax if they carry on a business with more than AED 1 million turnover in a calendar year.
• VAT: 5 %, mandatory registration from AED 375,000 taxable supplies in twelve months. Free zone companies are generally subject to VAT as well.

The German side is at least as important: residence, exit taxation and extended limited tax liability. The double tax treaty expired at the end of 2021. For this we work together with German tax advisors. An overview is on our Tax planning page, and our Dubai tax calculator gives you a first estimate.

Working and starting a business in Dubai

Working week and business culture

Since 2022 the working week in Dubai runs from Monday to Friday, and the weekend is Saturday and Sunday. Government offices usually work only until midday on Fridays. The former Sunday to Thursday week is history.

Personal relationships matter in business. Expect decisions to take longer at times and conversations to start with small talk. During Ramadan working hours are shorter, and you should not eat or drink in public during the day.

Free zone or mainland

If you become self-employed, choosing the legal form is the most important decision. Free zone companies are particularly suited to international business and consulting. Mainland companies may work with UAE customers without restriction and, since the company law reform, can be 100 % foreign-owned for most activities. Our glossary explains the differences under Free zone vs. mainland.

The typical steps:

1. Define your activity and choose a suitable free zone or mainland licence
2. Incorporate the company and have the licence issued
3. Apply for your visa through the company
4. Open a corporate bank account
5. Register for Corporate Tax and set up your bookkeeping

More under Dubai free zone company formation, Dubai mainland company formation and Corporate Tax registration.

Housing and property

Leases usually run for twelve months, and rent is often paid upfront with a few cheques. Every tenancy contract is registered via Ejari, and through your DEWA bill you also pay a housing fee of 5 % of the annual rent. Current rent ranges by district are in our overview of the cost of living in Dubai.

Foreigners can acquire property in designated freehold areas. When buying, you pay among other things a 4 % fee to the Dubai Land Department plus agency commission and registration costs. From a property value of AED 2 million, the purchase can open the way to the Golden Visa. Details under buying and financing property in Dubai.

Health and health insurance

Medical care in Dubai is good; private clinics are modern and many doctors are internationally trained. Health insurance is mandatory for all residents of Dubai, and since January 2025 private-sector employers in all emirates must insure their employees. As an entrepreneur you take care of your own policy and that of your family. Check whether the plan covers only the UAE or also Germany and the rest of the world.

Family and schools

For families, the choice of school is often the biggest cost factor. Private schools in Dubai are supervised by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), which rates schools and approves fee increases. There are British, American, IB and other curricula as well as a German international school.

• Fees depend heavily on the school and year group. For schools rated “Outstanding”, analyses of KHDA data put 2026/27 fees at roughly AED 29,500 to AED 112,000 per year.
• Good schools have waiting lists. Apply about a year in advance if you can.
• For a family visa you need attested and legalised birth and marriage certificates plus a registered tenancy contract. Help is available under Document attestation.

Culture and daily life

Arabic is the official language; English is the language of business and everyday life. Dubai is international and open, but there are rules you should know: appropriate clothing in government offices and at religious sites, restraint in public and respect during Ramadan. Alcohol is available in licensed hotels, restaurants and shops.

You will make contacts quickly through business networks, sports clubs and German-speaking communities. Trade fairs and events such as GITEX offer additional networking opportunities.

The most common mistakes when relocating

• Keeping a flat in Germany: A flat that remains available to you can keep your unlimited tax liability in Germany alive.
• Overlooking shareholdings: From 1 % in a corporation, exit taxation may apply when you leave.
• A company without substance: A licence alone is not enough. Without real management on the ground you risk problems with banks and the German tax office. See sham seat and letterbox company.
• Ignoring Corporate Tax: Even at 0 % tax there are registration and filing obligations. Late registration leads to penalties.
• Budgeting too tightly: Deposit, agency fee, school registration and insurance all fall due at the start.

Frequently asked questions

What requirements do I need to meet to move to Dubai?

You need a residence visa through a sponsor: your own company, an employer, a property, a Golden Visa category or the retirement visa. On top of that you need a valid passport, a medical test, health insurance and, depending on the route, proof of income, assets or qualifications.

What are the downsides of moving to Dubai?

High costs for rent and schooling, the summer heat, dependence on your visa and a different legal and cultural framework. There is also the distance to family and friends, even though Germany is only around six flight hours away.

What budget should I plan for as a retiree?

That depends mainly on your neighbourhood and lifestyle. For the retirement visa you need to prove, for example, income of AED 15,000 per month or savings or property of AED 1 million. Realistic monthly budgets are in our cost overview.

How far in advance should I plan?

Allow at least three to six months. During this time you clarify your tax situation in Germany, choose your visa route, set up your company if needed and prepare certificates and school applications.

Can I live and work in Dubai without speaking Arabic?

Yes. English is almost always enough in business and everyday life. A few words of Arabic are still appreciated.

Book an initial consultation

Company, visa, taxes or family: the earlier you fix the order of steps, the smoother your move will be. Danho & Partner has supported German-speaking entrepreneurs in the UAE for more than 7 years and has completed more than 1,000 company formations. Book a free initial consultation and we will discuss which route fits your situation.