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Brits in Dubai

Everything you need to move to, rent in and enjoy Dubai as a Brit, and how it fits with your UK tax, pension, money and paperwork.

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Official Britain

British Embassy Dubai

The UK's mission in Dubai, headed by a Consul General: passports, consular help and emergencies (appointment only)

Al Seef Road, Bur Dubai, PO Box 65, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Website · Map

Votes for lifeVote from DubaiLiving abroad doesn't cost you your vote. Register as an overseas elector, choose a proxy or postal vote, and renew every three years.
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Dubai Partners

Katharina Bergauer, innsicht

Global partner · online

The inner move

A move abroad changes more than your postcode. Katharina Bergauer (innsicht) supports individuals, couples and families before the move and until everyone feels at home. Online, in English or German.

Katharina Bergauer

Eintragungsnummer: 17784

Book a first conversation

Global partner · online

Learn the language

Get to grips with the language where you live, keep the kids' English sharp or prep for an exam. Live online lessons with qualified teachers since 1991: English and the main world languages, 1:1 or in small groups, for adults, kids and household staff.

Cambridge School of English Online

Cambridge School of English sp. z o.o.Warsaw, Poland · online since 1991

Take the free level test

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Your business here: partner in Dubai

Are you a highly recommended business for Brits in Dubai? One partner per category, so there's no competitor next to you.

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Partners pay to be featured. Our guides are written independently. Meet all our partners

Guides for life in Dubai

Basics

Cost of living in Dubai: how it really compares with London and the UK average

No income tax sounds like a pay rise, until the rent comes in a year at a time. Here's what Dubai really costs in 2026, in dirhams and pounds, set against London and the UK average.

Basics

Emirates ID, Ejari and your first month in Dubai: the order that works

In Dubai, each bit of admin opens the door to the next: Emirates ID, then Ejari, then DEWA, a bank and a phone. Here's the order, the fees in dirhams and pounds, and the faffs to dodge.

Basics

UAE laws Brits trip over: alcohol, medicines and social media

Dubai feels relaxed until it isn't. Here are the laws Brits most often fall foul of, from liquor licences and codeine to a rude WhatsApp message, and what the FCDO says.

Basics

Summer, Ramadan and the working week in Dubai: the rhythm of the year for Brits

Dubai's year runs to a different clock: a blazing summer, a month of Ramadan that moves every year, a short Friday and no Boxing Day. Here's how to plan around all of it.

Basics

Languages and your family in Dubai: the second language your kids will meet

Your children will learn Arabic at a British school in Dubai, from nursery up. Here's what's compulsory, when exemptions apply and how to keep the family's English sharp.

Money and work

UAE taxes for Brits: no income tax, the UK treaty and your State Pension

No income tax on your Dubai salary, but VAT, corporate tax for side businesses and a frozen State Pension. Here's how the UAE and UK systems fit together.

Money and work

Banking in the UAE as a Brit: your first account, cheques and money from home

You'll need your Emirates ID before most banks will talk to you, and debt is treated far more seriously than at home. Here's how banking in Dubai works for Brits.

Money and work

No income tax in Dubai, but UK tax ties: how HMRC can still reach you

A tax-free salary in Dubai only stays tax-free if you've really left the UK. Here's how the residence test, UK income and the return home trip Gulf workers up.

Money and work

End-of-service gratuity in Dubai: how it's worked out, DEWS and your retirement

No pension contributions, no state pension, just a lump sum when you leave. Here's how Dubai's gratuity is worked out, what DEWS changes and how to plan around it.

Home

Renting in Dubai: what Brits need to know before handing over the cheques

Dubai rents are paid a year at a time, often by cheque, and the rules are nothing like an assured shorthold. Here's where Brits live, what it costs and how to protect yourself.

Home

Buying property in Dubai: freehold areas, off-plan, Oqood and the DLD fee

Foreigners can own outright in Dubai's freehold areas, and off-plan deals are everywhere. Here's how Oqood, escrow, the 4% DLD fee and expat mortgage limits work.

Moving and visas

Moving to Dubai as a Brit: the residence routes that actually work

Brits can fly into Dubai without a visa, but living there needs a residence visa and an Emirates ID. Here are the routes Brits actually use and what to sort first.

Moving and visas

UAE residence for Brits: employment, Golden and green visas compared

Your UAE residence visa decides who can cancel it, who you can sponsor and how long you can spend back in Blighty. Here's how the employer, green and Golden routes compare.

Moving and visas

Retiring in Dubai: who gets the retirement visa, and what it really costs

Dubai will let you retire there from 55, if you can show the money. Here's how the retirement visa works, what the income test means in pounds, and why your State Pension won't cover it.

Health

Healthcare in Dubai: how insurance works, and why the NHS and GHIC won't help

Dubai's hospitals are excellent, but nothing is free at the point of use. Here's how compulsory health insurance works, who pays for your family's cover and what the NHS no longer does for you.

Schools and study

Schools in Dubai: British schools, international options and the UCAS question

Dubai has more British-curriculum schools than most English counties, but the good ones fill up fast and fees run to £20,000 a year. Here's how it works.

Schools and study

Dubai school fees and the KHDA ratings: what British schools cost and what the grades mean

Year 13 at a top British school in Dubai now costs over AED 110,000 (about £22,000). Here's what the fees buy, how the KHDA ratings work and how to plan for the extras.

Getting around

Driving in Dubai with a UK licence: swapping it, and getting around without a car

Good news: a British licence swaps for a Dubai one without a driving test. Here's how the RTA exchange works, what it costs, and how to get about by Metro, tram and bus instead.

Community

British life in Dubai: roasts, rugby and finding your people in the desert

Dubai has one of the biggest British crowds anywhere outside the UK. Here's where they watch the footie, eat a roast, play rugby and mark Remembrance.

Going out

British food in Dubai: where to find a full English, a roast and a proper cuppa

A full English for AED 85, a roast with Yorkshires from AED 115 and an M&S Foodhall opening in December. Dubai does British food better than you'd expect.

Going out

Nightlife in Dubai: rooftop bars, late clubs and the rules Brits forget

Dubai's nightlife is bigger and later than most Brits expect, but it lives inside hotels and licensed venues. Here's where to go, what it costs and the rules that matter.

Compare propertyBuy in Dubai or back in the UK?Mortgages, stamp duty, buying costs and capital gains side by side.
Compare

Britain in Dubai

Free listings we choose and check: the British mission, clubs, party groups, sport, schools, pubs, shops and churches. Every entry checked on its own or an official 2025–2026 page (2026-11); listings are not paid. Tell us on WhatsApp if something has changed.

Official Britain

British Embassy Dubai

The UK's mission in Dubai, headed by a Consul General: passports, consular help and emergencies (appointment only)

Al Seef Road, Bur Dubai, PO Box 65, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Website · Map · Facebook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn

British Council Dubai

British Council office and teaching centre: English courses and UK exams

Tariq Bin Ziyad Street, behind Dubai TV, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Website · Map · 600 529 995 · information@ae.britishcouncil.org

Business and networking

British Chamber of Commerce Dubai

Business chamber for UK-linked companies in Dubai (formerly the British Business Group): networking, briefings and events

The David May Building, British Embassy Compound, Al Seef Road, Bur Dubai, Dubai, UAE

Website · Map · +971 4 397 0303 · info@britishchamberdubai.com · Facebook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn · YouTube

Party groups abroad

Listed side by side, in alphabetical order. We don't favour any party.

Conservatives Abroad – Dubai

Dubai branch of the Conservative Party's organisation for members abroad, serving members and supporters in Dubai

Website

Labour International – Africa, Turkey and the Middle East branch

Africa, Turkey and Middle East branch of the Labour Party's organisation for members abroad, serving members and supporters in Africa, Turkey and the Middle East, including the UAE

Website

Lib Dems Overseas

Non-European branch of the Liberal Democrats' organisation for members abroad, serving members and supporters in countries outside Europe, including the UAE

Website

Sport

Dubai Exiles Rugby Club

The UAE's oldest rugby club, founded 1966; 22 teams across rugby and netball, based at The Sevens

The Sevens, Al Ain Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Website · Map · +971 58 565 1966 · hello@dubaiexiles.com · Facebook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn

Schools and universities

School

JESS Dubai (Jumeirah English Speaking School)

Ages 3–18; not-for-profit British school since 1976, primary at Jumeirah and Arabian Ranches, secondary and sixth form at Arabian Ranches

Website · Map · +971 4 361 9019 · Facebook · Instagram · X

School

Dubai English Speaking College (DESC)

Secondary and sixth form; not-for-profit, co-educational British education with GCSEs and A levels

Website · Map

School

Repton Dubai

Ages 3–18; British curriculum with IGCSEs and A levels plus the IB, day and boarding (Cognita group)

Website · Map · +971 800 737866 · Facebook · Instagram · YouTube

School

Dubai British School Emirates Hills

Ages 3–18; Taaleem British school from Rising 3s and Foundation Stage to GCSE, A level and BTEC; early years at Jumeirah Islands

Springs 3, Emirates Hills, Dubai

Website · Map · +971 4 361 9361 · Facebook · Instagram · X

School

Brighton College Dubai

Nursery (FS1) to Year 13; British independent school education to A level; rated Outstanding by BSO, COBIS and BSME member

Al Barsha South, Dubai

Website · Map · +971 4 387 1111 · Facebook · Instagram · LinkedIn

School

Dubai College

British independent secondary school (GCSE and Sixth Form); member of COBIS, BSME and HMC

PO Box 837, Al Sufouh, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Website · Map · +971 4 399 9111 · Facebook · LinkedIn

Preschool

British Orchard Nursery

Ages 45 days–5 years; EYFS (British) curriculum at around 16 Dubai branches including Jumeirah, JBR, Dubai Hills, DIFC and Mirdif

Website · Map · +971 50 372 9505

Preschool

Ladybird Nursery

Ages 6 months–5 years; EYFS in a Montessori setting since 1996, with branches in Jumeirah, JVC and Al Barsha

Street 25A, Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah 1, Dubai

Website · Map · +971 4 344 1011 · Instagram · X

University

Middlesex University Dubai

Branch campus of Middlesex University London: foundation, UK-accredited undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and MBAs

Blocks 15, 16, 17 & 19, Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai

Website · Map · +971 4 367 8100 · Facebook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn · YouTube

University

Heriot-Watt University Dubai

Edinburgh university's Dubai campus: foundation, undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD programmes, with transfers to the UK campuses

Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai

Website · Map · +971 4 571 7000 · Facebook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn · YouTube

University

University of Birmingham Dubai

University of Birmingham campus offering foundation, undergraduate, postgraduate taught and research degrees

Dubai International Academic City, Dubai

Website · Map · +971 4 428 0500 · Facebook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn

Scouts and Guides

British Scouting Overseas Dubai (1st–8th Dubai)

Eight BSO Scout groups meeting across Dubai, part of the Middle East District; waiting list via the Dubai BSO site

Website · Map · Facebook · Instagram

Pubs and restaurants

Our guide to British food, shops and pubs in Dubai

Pub

The Irish Village (Al Garhoud)

Irish pub next to Dubai Tennis Stadium; Premier League, Champions League and F1. Second branch at Studio One Hotel, Dubai Studio City

31 A Street, Al Garhoud, Dubai

Website · Map · +971 4 282 4750 · Facebook · Instagram · X

Pub

McGettigan's JLT

Irish pub in JLT and home of Dubai's Liverpool supporters; live sport, Tuesday quiz

Cluster J, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai

Website · Map · +971 54 998 4152 · Facebook · Instagram · X

Pub

Rose & Crown

Traditional British pub with red phone box and big screens; British roast on Saturdays and Sundays

260 Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai

Website · Map · +971 56 503 6230 · Facebook · Instagram

Sunday roast

Reform Social & Grill

British gastropub by the lake at The Lakes; weekend roast with Yorkshire puddings, Tuesday curry night, Wednesday quiz

The Lakes Club, Al Thaniya Third, The Lakes, Emirates Living, Dubai

Website · Map · +971 4 454 2638 · reservations@reformsocialgrill.ae · Facebook · Instagram

Restaurant or café

Fibber Magee's

Irish pub on Sheikh Zayed Road with homely pub food, live bands and trad sessions

Saeed Tower 1, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai

Website · Map · +971 4 332 2400 · info@fibbersdubai.com · Facebook · Instagram

Shops

Marks & Spencer UAE

M&S clothing and food stores run by franchise partner Al-Futtaim; a large M&S Foodhall at Dubai Festival City is due in December 2026

Dubai Festival City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Map

Churches

Holy Trinity Church Dubai

Inter-denominational church in the Anglican tradition (Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf); Sunday Holy Communion at 9.30am and 7.30pm

Oud Metha, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Website · Map · +971 4 337 0247 · chaplain@holytrinity.ae

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