What things cost in the UAE, and what the law says you’re entitled to. Seven guides covering the money side of living here — each one citing the specific law or authority behind it, and revised in place when the rules change.
Rent & Tenant Rights
The legal cap on your renewal by emirate, with a ready-reckoner that gives you your maximum rent without any maths.
Salary & End of Service
Your gratuity, worked out from basic salary and years of service — and why the headline package figure misleads.
Visas & Residency
Employment, Golden, Green, family and freelance visas compared on cost, length and who sponsors you.
Banking
Why accounts get frozen, how to unfreeze one, and the expiry date that causes most of it.
Schooling Costs
How KHDA caps fee increases, how to check yours was authorised, and the 2026–27 freeze.
DEWA Setup
Move-in costs, the Housing Fee nobody warns you about, and why summer bills jump.
Money Saving Guide
Where the money actually goes, and which cuts are worth making.
Recent updates in this section
- Is your side hustle actually legal? — the Part-Time Work Permit explained
- Mandatory health insurance for visitors — not just residents anymore
- Comparing car and health insurance — what actually changes the price
- Golden Visa property threshold reportedly doubles to AED 2 million
- Equivalency Certificate Guide — process, fees and a cost calculator
Not sure where to start?
If you’ve just arrived, read Your First 30 Days first — it puts these guides in the order you’ll actually need them, and explains which steps block which. For any term you don’t recognise, the UAE Glossary has it.
For driving, employment law, insurance, transport and business setup, see Life & Work in the UAE. For fee, fare and rule changes as they happen, see UAE Updates.