What is the Cost of Living in Dubai for Indians?

Utilities and Bills in Dubai

After housing, the next major expense is utilities and bills. Utilities in Dubai include electricity, water, internet, mobile bills, and other expenses. The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) bills are higher during summer because of air conditioning usage.

• Electricity & water: 300–600 AED (₹6,700–₹13,500) per month
• Internet (Wi-Fi): 350–500 AED (₹7,800–₹11,200)
• Mobile plans: 100–200 AED (₹2,200–₹4,500)

In Dubai, almost every flat and apartment is built with AC, and some flats include DEWA charges in the rent. You should always double-check everything before signing a lease.

Transport and Commute Costs in Dubai

Public transportation in Dubai is efficient and affordable for Indian immigrants. There is a NOL Card in Dubai, and this card covers metros, buses, and trains with prices depending on distance or travel areas.

• Monthly public transport pass: 300–400 AED (₹6,700–₹9,000)
• Taxi rides: 12–25 AED (₹270–₹560) for short distances
• Petrol price: around 3.15 AED/litre (₹71/litre)

Buying a car adds insurance, registration, and maintenance costs but also offers greater flexibility. Carpooling and shared taxis are also used by Indian immigrants because they are affordable and convenient.

Healthcare and Insurance

 Dubai Healthcare System is world-class and provides high-quality facilities in both private and public sectors.Health insurance is compulsory for every person or resident of Dubai.

• Basic insurance plan: 800–1,200 AED (₹18,000–₹27,000) per year
• Comprehensive private plan: 3,000–5,000 AED (₹67,000–₹1.12 lakh) per year

In Dubai, there are both public and private hospitals. Among Indian immigrants, Aster, NMC, and Mediclinic private hospitals are very famous. In the city, pharmacies are available everywhere and visiting a private clinic costs up to 200-400 AED (about ₹4500-₹9000).”

Also Read: Why You Should Consider Property Investment in Dubai 

Education Costs in Dubai for Indian Family

In Dubai, there is an availability of Indian-based schools of different boards (CBSE/ICSE) where students can get qualified education with different fee structures.

• Indian curriculum schools: 10,000–25,000 AED/year (₹2.25–₹5.6 lakh)
• British or IB curriculum schools: 40,000–90,000 AED/year (₹9–20 lakh)

India’s top schools are also found in Dubai, like: GEMS Our Own, Delhi Private School, Indian High School, Dubai In these schools, several extracurricular activities are given importance, such as: Sports, Swimming, Athletics, Cooking, Horse riding As per that parents should prefer, these types of school offer extracurricular activities and are also equipped with proper facilities like a canteen, buses, security, etc.

Salaries and How Much You Need to Earn

Indians living in Dubai need to have a suitable income to fulfill the requirements of daily life and maintain their lifestyle. This income structure depends on how you live—whether single or with family. For single Indian professionals, an income of 8,000-10,000 AED (1.8-2.25 Lakh INR) per month is required.

For people who live with families, an income of 15,000-25,000 AED (3-5.6 Lakh INR) per month is needed for education, healthcare, and savings.

In Dubai, there are several opportunities for Indians in high-paying sectors, including IT, finance, engineering, healthcare, and hospitality. Dubai is a tax-free country where your take-home pay equals your yearly salary. So, making and saving money is easier as compared to other countries.

Money Transfers, Taxes, and Remittance Costs

Dubai has no income tax, which is a big factor of attraction for Indians toward Dubai. But there is still a House Tax to pay and VAT on goods and services. Moreover, the services provided in Dubai are well-qualified.

Money transfer to India is very simple at exchange centers like Lulu Exchange, Al Ansari Exchange, and online apps like Wise or Remitly. Anyone can easily transfer their money to India and the charges for these transfers are low.

• Average Remittance Fee: 10-25 AED (₹225 – ₹560)

• Exchange rate margin: 1-2%, lower than most market rates.

Many people use bank accounts linked with digital transaction apps for better control over international transactions.

Visa and Residency Costs in Dubai

To get permanent residency in Dubai for a long time, you need to have authorized residence or a work visa.

• Employment Visa: Given to employees by employers.
• Family Visa: You get this from the authority to bring your family. The cost is approximately 7,000-11,000 AED ( ₹1,50,000-₹2,50,000).
• Golden Visa (10-year residence): This is generally issued to investors and skilled professionals who have contributed to the country’s progress.

For getting a long-term future residence in the UAE, there is a need to understand proper government regulations in Dubai, which will help you understand the better settlement options.

Common Mistakes Indians Make When Moving to Dubai

• People, especially Indians, don’t properly estimate the monthly costs, including town costs for facilities like water, electricity, and municipality housing fees, when moving to Dubai.
• They don’t calculate a proper budget when moving to live with family. They don’t plan a budget including health, insurance, or school fees.
• They forget to renew their visas on time.
• They send money home without properly comparing exchange rates.
• They get attracted to unnecessary luxury and overspend in the initial months, which leads to financial difficulties.

So, for ensuring a long settlement, it’s essential to have proper planning of finances and other aspects of life.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much money do you need to live comfortably in Dubai?

A single person needs around 7,000–10,000 AED (₹1.6 – 2.25 lakh) per month, but a family needs around 16,000–20,000 AED (₹3.6 – 4.5 lakh) per month to live happily in Dubai.

2. How much does a 1 BHK in Dubai cost for Indians?

A 1 BHK in cheap areas costs around 4,000–6,000 AED (₹90,000–₹1.35 lakh) per month.

3. Is Dubai expensive for Indians to live in?

No, but it depends on your lifestyle. If you live luxurious lives in Dubai then it can be costly, but smart budgeting and cheap areas make Dubai feasible for Indian immigrants.

4. How much should I save before moving?

You should save at least 3–6 months’ rent and living expenses, roughly 25,000–35,000 AED (₹5.6 – 8 lakh) before shifting to Dubai.

5. How can Indians save money while living in Dubai?

Indians save their money by sharing housing, using public transport, and shopping at local Indian stores for budget-friendly groceries.