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Is Dubai really as expensive as everyone says?
That is the question that thousands of Dutch people ask themselves every year before they take the step. The honest answer: it is not too bad – if you take it smart. Compared to Amsterdam or Utrecht, living in Dubai is not necessarily more expensive. The big difference lies in what you have left: in the Netherlands you pay up to 52% income tax and another up to 36% capital gains tax (box 3). In Dubai you pay 0% income tax.
In this complete guide on living in Dubai 2026 you will find everything you need as a Dutch person: current rental prices per neighborhood, shopping costs, utilities, transport, health insurance, school costs and realistic monthly budgets in euros. Whether you are self-employedThere are, DGA, expat or just curious – here you will find the facts.
Are you seriously considering emigrating? Then our article about the Golden Visa Dubai for the Dutch A logical next step to read.
Quick Reply: What does life in Dubai cost per month in 2026?
Singles: approx. € 2,800 – € 5,000 / month | Couples: € 4,500 – € 8,000 | Family (2 + 2): € 8,000 – € 15,000 +. The rent is the largest cost item (30-40% of your budget). No income tax, but 5% VAT. Exchange rate: 1 AED ≈ €0.26 (April 2026) | € 1 ≈ 3.93 AED.
It is no coincidence that Dubai is at the top of the emigration list of Dutch people. The combination of 0% income tax, no wealth tax and a high standard of living attracts entrepreneurs, DGAs and ZZP people who are heavily taxed in the Netherlands.
The Dutch tax burden in perspective: Whoever earns € 150,000 gross per year in the Netherlands, may have € 80,000 left after taxes and premiums net. In Dubai you keep the full € 150,000. That saves € 70,000 per year – spacious enough to live and save comfortably in Dubai.
Moreover, the Box 3 tax In the Netherlands, make sure that you actually pay up to 36% tax on assets above € 57,000. In Dubai: 0%. This is a game changer for entrepreneurs and investors with assets. You can read more about the Dutch tax consequences for emigration in our article: From the Netherlands to Dubai: this is how you build a tax-free business Empire.
Note: unsubscribing from the BRP is not enough
To become taxable in Dubai and no longer in the Netherlands, you must deregister from the Personal Records Database (BRP) and demonstrate that you actually live in Dubai. The tax authorities look at several factors: where does your family live, where is your social life, how many days are you in the Netherlands? Plan this carefully. Also read: UAE 183-day rule for the Dutch.
Rent is by far the largest cost item if you live in Dubai. The rental market has risen sharply in recent years: in 2025, rental prices in popular neighborhoods increased by 5–10%, and a further increase of 3–5% is expected in 2026. The reason: persistent demand from expats and limited supply in central locations.
important difference with the Netherlands: In Dubai you usually pay the rent in one or a few post-dated checks in advance, for the entire year at the same time. So you need a large liquidity reserve on arrival. Payment in 4 or 6 checks is also possible, but often means a higher price.
| Housing type | AED / year | €/month (approx.) | Popular neighborhoods |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio apartment | 48,000 - 88,000 | € 1,050 - € 1,950 | JVC, International City, Al Barsha |
| 1-bedroom apartment | 78,000 - 130,000 | € 1,750 - € 2,900 | JVC, Dubai Marina, JLT |
| 2-bedroom apartment | 115,000 - 215,000 | € 2,600 - € 4,800 | Business Bay, Downtown, JBR |
| 3-bedroom apartment | 130,000 - 295,000 | € 2,900 - € 6,600 | Palm Jumeirah, Downtown |
| Villa (3-4 bedrooms) | 175,000 - 440,000+ | € 3,900 - € 9,800 + | Arabian Ranches, Springs, Mirdif |
For comparison: a 2-bedroom apartment in Amsterdam-South or Zuidas quickly costs € 2,800 – € 4,500 / month. Dubai Marina or Business Bay is at a similar level, but without the 52% income tax on your income.
| District | Character | 1-Bedroom (AED/JR) | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Dubai | Prestige, Burj Khalifa View | 130,000 - 200,000 | High earners, couples |
| Dubai Marina / JBR | Beach life, expat hotspot | 95,000 - 175,000 | Young professionals |
| Business Bay | Central, Work & Live | 88,000 - 155,000 | ZZPers, entrepreneurs |
| Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) | Quiet, affordable, families | 58,000 - 92,000 | Families, budget conscious |
| Al Barsha | Green, established, middle segment | 68,000 - 108,000 | Families, Dutch |
| Palm Jumeirah | Luxury, beach, prestige | 148,000 - 295,000+ | Luxury expats |
| Deira / Al Quoz | Cheap, culturally diverse | 44,000 - 78,000 | Budget conscious, starters |
| Mirdif / Jumeirah | Quiet, villa atmosphere, suburban | 82,000 - 155,000 | Families with children |
Tip for the Dutch: Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) is the most popular neighborhood for Dutch expats who seek quality for a competitive price. Good connections, supermarkets, and more and more Dutch neighbors. Al Barsha is also a good choice for families, it is close to the Mall of the Emirates and has a good school infrastructure.
In Dubai you pay extra in some buildings for the central air conditioning, the so-called “Chiller Cost”. When your apartment search, pay attention to the term “chiller-free” in advertisements. At Chiller-Free apartments, the air conditioning is included in the rent, which saves easily 400-800 AED per month in the summers (June–September).
the government agency DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) Controls electricity and water. Accounts are processed digitally via an app. In addition to the electricity bill, you also pay a housing tax (housing fee) of 5% of the annual rent, spread over the monthly DEWA accounts. This is something that many Dutch people forget to include.
In the summer (June–September) the electricity costs increase considerably due to the air conditioning. An apartment of 80 m² can only cost 700–1,200 AED in electricity in those months. In the winter (November-March) that is often less than 350 AED.
| Cost item | AED / MONTH | € / month |
|---|---|---|
| Power & Water (Dewa) | 500 - 1,200 | € 115 - € 275 |
| Housing tax (housing fee) | ~ 5% of annual rent | € 45 - € 190 (proportional) |
| Chiller / Air conditioning | 0 - 800 (depending on contract) | € 0 - € 185 |
| Internet (cable, 100 Mbit) | 300 - 500 | € 70 - € 115 |
| Mobile subscription (10 GB +) | 100 - 250 | € 23 - € 58 |
| Total utility costs (estimation) | 900 - 2,700 | € 205 - € 620 |
For the internet there are two providers in Dubai: Etisalat and du. Our recommendation: choose a LAN + router package instead of a wireless router via 4G / 5G. The fixed connections are more reliable and consistently achieve higher speeds. Costs: 300–500 AED per month (€ 70 – € 115).
Groceries in Dubai are generally Slightly more expensive than in the Netherlands especially for European import products. Whoever buys smart from local and Asian products saves a lot. The cheapest supermarket chains in Dubai are Gala and Viva, the Aldi and Lidl from Dubai. For fresh meat and fish, the Deira Vismarkt is a must: cheap, fresh and a cultural experience.
| Product | Price in AED | Price in € |
|---|---|---|
| Milk (1 liter) | 5 - 7 AED | € 1.20 - € 1.65 |
| Bread (500 g) | 5 - 9 AED | € 1.20 - € 2.10 |
| Chicken fillet (1 kg) | 22 - 32 AED | € 5.00 - € 7.40 |
| Beef (1 kg) | 40 - 55 AED | € 9.20 - € 12.65 |
| Eggs (12 pieces) | 10 - 16 AED | € 2.30 - € 3.70 |
| Rice (1 kg) | 8 - 14 AED | € 1.85 - € 3.20 |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | 5 - 10 AED | € 1.15 - € 2.30 |
| Cappuccino in cafe | 18 - 30 AED | € 4.15 - € 6.90 |
| Simple meal (restaurant) | 35 - 60 AED | € 8 - € 14 |
| Dinner for 2 (middle segment) | 250 - 400 AED | € 58 - € 92 |
Dubai has an incredibly varied catering offer. Those who are budget aware eat street food at a Shawarma stand for 8–15 AED (€ 2–3.50). Those who want the full Dubai feeling book a table in the at.Mosphere restaurant in the Burj Khalifa or the Nobu in the Atlantis the Royal, where an evening of food can easily cost 500-1,500 AED per person.
Alcohol in Dubai: As an expat you can buy private alcohol with a free alcohol license. Stores such as MMI (Maritime & Mercantile International) and African & Eastern are the licensed liquors. Please note: there will be another one from January 2025 Alcohol tax of approximately 30%after it was abolished in 2023. Wine in a restaurant quickly costs 180–350 AED (€ 42 – € 80) per bottle.
Dubai is essentially a car city, but those who are smart use the well-developed public transport network and save hundreds of euros per month.
Public transport: Metro, tram and bus are paid with the NOL card. A single ride costs 2–7 AED, a monthly subscription approx. 200–300 AED (€ 46– € 70). The metro connects downtown, business bay, the Marina, JBR and the airport. Ideal for daily commuters in the center.
Taxi and RideSharing: Taxis are cheap by Dutch standards. The meter starts at approx. 12 AED, the kilometer price is ~ 2.50 AED. Careem and Uber are widely available. For fixed commuters, however, the costs quickly add up: 800–1,500 AED / month.
Buy or lease a car? Many expats buy a car after arrival. Gasoline is extremely cheap in Dubai: ~ 2.50–3 AED per liter (€ 0.65–0.78). But also count: insurance, registration, parking and maintenance. A solid second-hand car (eg Toyota Camry) is available from approx. 25,000–40,000 AED.
There is No state health insurance For expats in Dubai. Private health insurance is compulsory and must be demonstrated when granting a visa. If you are employed, your employer usually provides basic insurance. Many Dutch people upgrade these to a more extensive policy to have access to top clinics and full coverage.
Medical care in Dubai is of a high level. Both public and private hospitals offer international standards. English is spoken in most clinics, and there are also Dutch-speaking doctors.
Health insurance costs: Basic coverage (employer): approx. € 200 – € 600 / year. Premium policy with extensive coverage: € 1,400 – € 3,700 / year. For families with children you charge proportionally more.
Public schools are inaccessible to foreign, non-Muslim children. International private schools are therefore the only option for families with children, and a significant expense.
Popular education systems are the British and American curriculum. For the Dutch there is also the German International School Dubai (German education is close to the Dutch system). Annual school fees: 20,000–70,000 AED (€4,600–€16,100) per child, depending on school and level. Above that are school bus, uniform, books and activities – easily an additional 3,000–8,000 AED extra per year.
Rule of thumb: Plan at least € 1,200 – € 2,500 per child per month for school costs. After the rent, this is the second largest publication item for most Dutch families.
Dubai offers an incredibly varied selection from free to royally expensive. The good news: you don’t have to be a millionaire to fully enjoy Dubai.
Free and cheap activities in Dubai
Gyms come in all price ranges: from 200 AED / month in simple gyms to 1,000 AED in luxury clubs. Padel Tennis is the new hype — 200–400 AED per booking. Water sports such as diving or kite surfing: 200–500 AED per lesson.
Dubai is a shopping paradise, but it is certainly not always cheaper than Europe. European fashion brands (H & M, ZARA) cost around 20–30% more in Dubai than in the Netherlands – despite the lack of import duties, due to higher shopping margins and import costs. For electronics it is worth comparing, Apple products are often cheaper in Dubai than in the Netherlands.
Here the crucial question: how much money do you need per month? It depends a lot on your lifestyle, but below you will find realistic figures for 2026:
| Category | Single (€/mnd) | Couple (€ / month) | Family 2 + 2 (€ / month) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (middle segment) | € 1,400 - € 2,400 | € 2,400 - € 3,800 | € 3,200 - € 5,600 |
| utilities | € 190 - € 380 | € 280 - € 480 | € 380 - € 650 |
| Grocery | € 380 - € 650 | € 650 - € 1,100 | € 900 - € 1,650 |
| Transport | € 140 - € 380 | € 280 - € 650 | € 460 - € 920 |
| Health insurance | € 75 - € 240 | € 190 - € 475 | € 460 - € 1,100 |
| Leisure & Eating Out | € 280 - € 560 | € 460 - € 920 | € 560 - € 1,100 |
| School costs (per child) | – | – | € 1,100 - € 2,500 |
| Miscellaneous & Reserves | € 190 - € 380 | € 280 - € 560 | € 380 - € 750 |
| Total (approx.) | € 2,655 - € 4,990 | € 4,540 - € 7,985 | € 7,440 - € 14,270 |
Note: These are target amounts for a middle segment lifestyle. Those who live in JVC instead of downtown save € 750 – € 1,400 / month on rent. Whoever takes the metro instead of leasing / taxi saves € 280 – € 550 / month on transport.
Exchange rate AED to Euro (April 2026)
1 AED ≈ € 0.26 | 1,000 AED ≈ € 260 | 10,000 AED ≈ € 2,600 | 50,000 AED ≈ € 13,000. The AED is attached to the US dollar (1 USD = 3.67 AED). The euro exchange rate therefore fluctuates with the EUR / USD exchange rate.
Dubai is one of the safest cities in the world for women. The crime rates are extremely low, the metro has special women’s cars, and the city is cosmopolitan and international. This is an important signal for Dutch women who are considering emigrating or doing business in Dubai.
In recent years, women in Dubai have made enormous strides. There is a scheme for paid maternity leave (45 days), legislation against discrimination in the workplace, and women are represented in all professions and managerial positions.
Clothing in public: in business and recreational areas you simply wear Western clothing. In mosques and conservative neighborhoods, cover shoulders and knees. You can read more about safety, lifestyle and opportunities as a female entrepreneur in our blog: Female entrepreneur in Dubai: safety, lifestyle and opportunities.
for Dutch self-employeders, DGAs and entrepreneurs Dubai is more than just a cheap residential location – it is a strategic business platform. With a 0% income tax, 0% wealth tax and only 9% corporation tax (for profit over AED 375,000), Dubai offers unprecedented tax benefits.
Do you want to start a business in Dubai? Then there are three options: Mainland, Free Zone or Offshore. For most Dutch entrepreneurs, a free zone is the most attractive choice: full foreign ownership, no local sponsor, and low start-up costs. Read more in our article: Free Zone Establishment in Dubai: Complete guide for Dutch entrepreneurs.
For business bank accounts in Dubai, a topic that many Dutch people encounter, we refer to our guide: Open business bank account in Dubai: what you need to know.
UAE Tax Changes 2026: What’s New?
Since 2023, a corporation tax of 9% applies for profit over AED 375,000 (~ € 97,500). Exemptions apply to small companies and free zone companies that are internationally active. More details in our article: UAE Tax Changes 2026.
Dubai is more expensive than the average in Europe, but not nearly as expensive as the image suggests. And the big difference with the Netherlands? You keep your salary in your own pocket. for a self-employedThere who pays 52% in the Netherlands, or a DGA with box 3 problems, Dubai changes the financial account completely.
The key is in smart choices: the right neighborhood, public transport above leasing, and local purchasing. Whoever does that lives comfortably in Dubai for comparable or even lower monthly costs than in Amsterdam, with sunshine, safety and an international network as a bonus.
Our specialists at Dubai Consultant are happy to think along with you, from business establishment and visa to tax strategy and real estate.
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