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Living in Abu Dhabi as a foreigner: What is it really like?
In this article, you'll learn what living in Abu Dhabi—one of the cities with the highest quality of life rankings—is like.
Living in Abu Dhabi offers one of the highest quality of life experiences in the United Arab Emirates, making it a top choice for many expats. This article will give you a closer look at what life in the Arab capital has to offer.
Discover why this city is a leader in healthcare and medical treatments, and why its education system is considered world-class. We’ll also show you why it ranks among the safest cities to live in globally and offers some of the highest salaries compared to European or Asian countries. Let’s get started!
Quality of life in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi provides a high standard of living for its residents by balancing essential aspects of daily life, from healthcare and education to job opportunities and salaries that meet living costs. Here’s a breakdown of what makes life in the city so comfortable.
Health
Abu Dhabi has a world-class healthcare system, known for its quality and strong regulations. Workers get health insurance through their employer, while people who are not employed need private insurance to use medical services.
Abu Dhabi’s hospital infrastructure is recognized worldwide for its advanced technology and wide range of treatments, attracting many international visitors who come to the city specifically for medical care.
The system is also designed for fast and efficient care, with highly skilled bilingual doctors. Coverage is extensive, focusing on preventive care to ensure that everyone has access to treatments and medications.
Education
Education in Abu Dhabi is high quality from the early years, drawing many expats who want their children to get a strong education without going to Europe or the United States.
Abu Dhabi is also home to prestigious universities and has become a hub for education, research, and cultural development in the region, giving the city a reputation that goes beyond being just a global business center.
Salaries
In Abu Dhabi, there is no income tax, which means your take-home pay is higher and your purchasing power increases as a legal resident. Even entry-level and support positions offer competitive salaries, averaging around $1,300 per month.
Professional workers enjoy higher earnings and better compensation, which can include benefits such as housing allowances, personal transportation, or even coverage for their children’s school fees.
However, securing a job in Abu Dhabi can be highly competitive, especially in high-demand sectors like energy, technology, finance, and healthcare.
Cost of living
The Arab capital has a high cost of living, largely due to rent, which is the biggest expense and can take up 45% to 50% of your monthly income, depending on the area you choose to live in.
According to a global cost of living ranking by Mercer, Abu Dhabi is one of the most expensive cities in Asia. This is not only due to high housing costs, but also because services like electricity add significantly to monthly expenses, as many are imported.
However, workers’ salaries generally allow them to cover basic monthly expenses and enjoy a comfortable lifestyle, especially if they choose to live in areas that match their income.
Safety
Numbeo ranks Abu Dhabi as the second safest city in the world out of 400, with very low crime rates, adding to the city’s many other quality-of-life advantages.
Tourist areas in Abu Dhabi are safe to explore even at night. Strong security measures and strict laws against theft, violence, and other crimes create a sense of safety that residents and visitors alike value highly.
Internet connection quality
Internet access is another factor that makes Abu Dhabi an excellent place to live. The city offers full high-speed coverage through two major providers, e& and du.
The entire city has 4G and 5G coverage, with average download speeds ranging from 275 to 660 Mbps. Latency is very low and stable, ensuring smooth streaming and online gaming. Abu Dhabi has also become a hub for online shopping and digital transactions, ranking among the most efficient in the world.
This progress can be seen in the development of smart homes built for comfort and family safety, as well as in the modernization of public services, where technology now efficiently manages water supply, electricity, and street security.
To make the most of Abu Dhabi’s connectivity and technology from the start, we recommend getting an eSIM with one of Holafly’s monthly plans. You can choose 25 GB or unlimited data, share it across multiple devices, and even use it in more than 160 countries, making it ideal for frequent travelers.
If you just need internet for the first few days and plan to switch to a local provider afterward, you can use Holafly’s Abu Dhabi eSIM, which gives you unlimited data for only the days you need.
Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 160 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍
Benefits of living in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi stands out among the cities of the United Arab Emirates, offering a unique blend of modernity and tradition that lets residents enjoy a comfortable lifestyle while embracing Arab customs and culture. Here’s a closer look at these advantages.
You’ll live in one of the safest cities in the world
Abu Dhabi’s low crime rate makes it a safe and peaceful place to live, where you don’t have to worry about theft, violence, or harassment.
The city not only has strict laws against crime, but also uses technology to help authorities monitor and manage public behavior, giving residents a strong sense of safety and security.
No income tax for residents
This is a benefit highly appreciated by expats moving to Abu Dhabi, especially professionals, as it allows them to earn significantly higher take-home pay than in many other countries in Asia and Europe.
Residents enjoy greater purchasing power because they don’t have to pay income taxes, which boosts their quality of life and makes it easier for individuals and families to save.
Abu Dhabi offers a high quality of life
As the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi offers top-quality services such as healthcare, schools and universities, competitive salaries, and efficient transportation, all of which contribute to a high standard of living.
Unlike many other major capitals, life in Abu Dhabi moves at a slower pace, allowing residents to enjoy cultural events and leisure activities any day of the week.
Disadvantages of living in Abu Dhabi as a foreigner
Abu Dhabi also poses some challenges for residents, such as high living costs, cultural differences, and the climate, which should be considered before deciding to move. Let’s take a closer look at each of these points.
Culture shock
Life in Abu Dhabi may involve cultural norms very different from what you’re used to. In the city, public displays of affection are restricted, and women are expected to avoid tight clothing or outfits that expose the shoulders or knees.
Another aspect that can take some getting used to is the city’s religious practices, which influence daily life and social behavior. For example, certain activities pause for a few minutes each day to allow time for prayer.
High cost of living
Although average salaries in Abu Dhabi are high compared to other cities in Europe or Asia, you may find it challenging to manage monthly expenses if you earn an entry-level wage and live in central areas.
The biggest expenses in the city are usually housing, healthcare, and education, which means you’ll need a higher income to cover them. On average, a monthly budget of around $1,600 to $2,700 is needed to cover basic living costs.
Long periods of high temperatures
Between May and September, temperatures can reach around 45° C, often causing sunstroke and high UV exposure. Humidity also rises, sometimes exceeding 90% during the day, making heat exhaustion a common risk.
Outdoor activities and work are heavily affected between noon and 3 p.m. Even everyday tasks like driving can become challenging, as the intense heat can damage parts of your vehicle.
In addition, the constant use of air conditioning causes electricity bills to rise significantly.
Frequently asked questions about living in Abu Dhabi
It’s not required, but even though people widely understand English, learning a few Arabic phrases can help you navigate everyday situations much more easily.
Yes, you need private health insurance to access medical services in Abu Dhabi. You can obtain it on your own or through your employer if you work for a local or international company.
The city has an efficient and fast public transport system, but many residents prefer to own a car for convenience, especially during the summer months when air conditioning is essential for driving.
Yes, according to data from Numbeo, residents feel safe walking around at night, giving the city a score of 87.04 out of 100.
You will most likely have to leave the country if you are unable to find another job within the next 30 to 90 days.
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Hi! I'm a Spanish-English translator working with Holafly, helping bring travel content to life for curious travelers. As a digital nomad with a passion for exploring, I'm always adding new spots to my bucket list. If you love to travel like me, stick around because you're in the right place to find inspiration for your next trip! ✈️🌍
