Moving to Dubai from Germany: 2025 Guide

• Higher salaries. For an officially employed professional in a comparable position, salaries in the UAE are often around 45–50% higher than in Germany.
• Attractive benefits package. Employers typically cover the cost of your UAE residence visa and health insurance, and may contribute to housing and transport. Some companies pay for family visas, annual flights home, and in some cases even contribute to children’s education.
• International community. Dubai is a true meeting point for people from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Respect for different cultures and religions is the norm here. Becoming part of this international community will seriously upgrade your communication, management, and liaising skills.
• No language barrier. If you speak English, you will feel comfortable in the UAE from day one. In addition, there are strong German and European communities, so you won’t feel isolated far from home.

How to move to Dubai from Germany

Step 1: Select the right visa option

Do you want to work for a local company, build your own business, freelance for international clients, invest in property, or simply enjoy a new lifestyle as an expat? Your purpose will determine which residency route and which type of visa will work for you, as well as your budget and timeline.

There are short-term visas valid for 2 years and long-term options for 5 and 10 years. Each visa type has its own eligibility criteria, required investment amount, processing time, and overall cost. Book a consultation with an experienced and trustworthy business consultant who will walk you through all the ways to obtain UAE residency and help you choose the option that fits your situation best.
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Step 2: Secure employment or register a business

If your route is employment with a UAE company, the most important step is to get a job offer. It will be the basis for your entry permit to the country. To issue a 2-year work visa, your employer will need a signed employment contract, attested diplomas and certificates, as well as your medical test results and biometrics.

If you are opening your own business or want to sponsor your residence visa yourself and obtain a property investor visa or a Golden Visa, you will need to apply through one of the specialized service centers (Amer in Dubai or ICP-authorized centers in other emirates) or work with a professional business consultant.

At the centers you may face queues and will have to figure everything out on your own. A business setup expert will submit the documents for you, explain all the nuances, and often suggest a faster and more cost-effective solution. Some of the steps and procedures you can already start now.

Step 3: Organize housing and schooling

Once your visa route is chosen and the basis for your residency is clear, start planning where you will live in Dubai. Decide on your budget, preferred area, distance to the office or co-working space, and the level of infrastructure you want nearby. Many expats begin with a short-term rental for 1–3 months so they can explore different neighbourhoods and only then sign a long-term contract.

If you are moving to Dubai from Germany with children, research schools in advance: curriculum (British, IB, American, etc.), tuition fees, availability of places, and school bus options from your future community.

Step 4: Submit visa documents and prepare to relocate

When the basis for your residency (job offer, registered business, or investment) is in place, you can move on to submitting your visa application. Typically, you will need your passport, photos, signed contracts, attested diplomas and certificates, and later the results of your medical check and biometrics. Your employer or business consultant will provide a detailed list of required documents and help you submit everything through online systems or authorized centers.

Cost of living in Dubai vs. Germany

Cost of living is never a fixed number – it depends a lot on your income level, lifestyle, and personal preferences. Overall, daily expenses in Dubai can be higher than in Germany in certain categories (for example, rent and schooling), while others may be comparable or even lower. At the same time, Germany has significantly higher taxes: residents pay income tax and various social contributions, whereas in the UAE there is no personal income tax and no municipal taxes on individuals.

Dubai also offers a much more “active” social scene: beach clubs, brunches, rooftop bars, shopping malls, events all year round. This creates more temptation to spend on going out and a luxury lifestyle.

Below we’ll look at the key expense categories for a single person and a 4-member family in Dubai and Berlin.

1-person household

Family of four

All amounts are average estimates. The actual costs will depend on your income and lifestyle.

Best areas in Dubai for German expats

German expats in Dubai tend to choose neighbourhoods that combine good infrastructure, safety, international schools, and a clear community feel. In practice, many Germans settle in central waterfront areas like Downtown and Dubai Marina, or in family-focused villa communities such as Arabian Ranches and Dubai Hills Estate. Newer developments like Dubai Creek Harbour and more affordable suburbs (JVC, Al Barsha, Mirdif) are also gaining popularity among German professionals and families.

Downtown Dubai

For Germans working in finance, consulting, or management, it offers a short commute, plenty of business lunch spots, and an urban lifestyle with Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall within walking distance. Rents are among the highest in the city, but so is the convenience.

Dubai Marina

It offers waterfront living, a long promenade for walking or jogging, and a large choice of apartments from compact studios to spacious three-bedroom units. There is a wide range of cafes, restaurants, gyms, and beach clubs, and the area is connected by metro and tram.

Arabian Ranches

It is a villa community with quiet streets, gardens, playgrounds, and golf courses. Many international schools and nurseries are located in and around the area, which is important for German families planning a long-term stay. The drive to Downtown or Marina takes 25–30 minutes.

Dubai Hills Estate

It offers modern villas and apartments around a large park and golf course, with its own mall, cycling tracks, and international schools nearby. Compared to Downtown, it feels more relaxed and greener, but still offers relatively quick access to central business districts by car.

Dubai Creek Harbour

It is a modern waterfront community about 10–15 minutes from Downtown, with new high-rise towers, promenades, and views of the skyline and creek. Prices here can be more competitive than in Downtown or Marina while still offering high build quality and good access to the city.

JVC, Al Barsha and Mirdif (more affordable options)

These communities offer a mix of apartments and townhouses, easier parking, and lower rents compared to Downtown or Palm Jumeirah. Al Barsha stands out for its central location and proximity to many schools; JVC and Mirdif appeal to those who want more square metres for the same money.

Can Germans stay in Dubai long-term?

For Germans, Dubai can be either a “launchpad” for a few intense career years abroad or a long-term base for you and your family. The key difference is your time horizon. Short-term residents usually come on 1–2-year visas to earn more, gain international experience, or test life in the Middle East. Long-term residents choose visa options that give 5–10 years of stability, easier renewals, and more security for their partners and children.

In both cases you will be dealing with UAE residence visas, not tourist visas. Short-term visas are typically tied to a job contract, a business, or a specific project. Long-term options such as the Golden Visa, Green Visa or retirement visa are more independent: they are linked to your investments, profession or financial profile, not to a single employer.

If you are planning a short-term stay, Dubai works well if you:

• want to earn more money in a relatively short period
• would like experience in a truly international company or regional HQ
• are a digital nomad who wants to work remotely from a tax-friendly jurisdiction
• are trying a new profession or career track
• want to “test-drive” life in another country before fully emigrating
• relocate for a specific project or contract
• move for a study program in the UAE

For these scenarios, the following residency options are usually suitable:

• a 2-year employment visa sponsored by a UAE company (standard work visa)
• a 2-year freelance visa via a free zone
• a 1-year remote work / digital nomad visa (Virtual Work Visa)
• a 2-year property investor visa if you buy residential real estate from around AED 750,000 and above in Dubai
• a 2-year investor / partner visa when you set up your own company and hold shares in it

If you already know that you want to live in Dubai long-term, or at least keep the door open for many years, it makes sense to look at 5- and 10-year visas. The flagship option is the UAE Golden Visa – a long-term residence visa that can be issued for 5 or 10 years.

10-year Golden visa

• Invest at least AED 2 million in UAE real estate (one or several properties, including certain off-plan or mortgaged units).
• Place a fixed bank deposit or other qualifying public investment of at least AED 2 million in a local bank or accredited fund.
• Obtain Golden Visa as a highly skilled professional or manager with a recognised degree and a basic monthly salary from around AED 30,000, depending on category and emirate.

5-year visa

• Green Visa – for skilled employees, investors/partners and self-employed professionals who want to sponsor themselves without an employer.
• Retirement visa – for people aged 55+ who meet financial criteria such as owning property in Dubai worth at least AED 1 million, having savings of around AED 1 million, or a monthly income from about AED 15,000–20,000, depending on the specific scheme.

As with short-term residence visas, holders of Golden, Green or retirement visas can sponsor family members. In practice, “to sponsor” means you act as a guarantor for your spouse, children and sometimes parents. Their residence visas are usually issued for the same duration as yours – for example, if you have a 10-year Golden Visa, your dependants can also receive 10-year family visas.

One important nuance: if you decide to cancel your own residence visa, you must first cancel all dependant visas under your sponsorship. Only after that can your own visa be cancelled or changed to another status.

Move to Dubai with expert support

Emirabiz is a one-stop consultancy where you get full support for your plans in the UAE, whether it’s starting a business, obtaining a license, securing residency, opening a bank account, or relocating with your whole family. Our specialists respond to enquiries within 15 minutes, and during your first free consultation you will receive an assessment of your case and an approximate action plan. Some of the steps you can start implementing right away. Emirabiz is always in touch and ready to guide you all the way to your goals in the UAE.