French expatriates in Dubai: all the figures you need to know!

Are you thinking of relocating to Dubai? Before you leave, it's important to be aware of a few facts and figures. In fact, before discovering this wonderful country, you need to be prepared for all eventualities. Let's find out how expatriation affects the French in Dubai.

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600 French subsidiaries Dubai

If you're planning to relocate to Dubai, you should know that you'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to finding a job. Indeed, since 2015, this city in the United Arab Emirates has been experiencing strong demand from major French companies. In Dubai, you'll find more than 600 subsidiaries aerospace, energy and hospitality. The vast majority of French companies operating in Dubai belong to the luxury sector. However, they can also turn out to be good sponsors to kick-start your expatriation.

In addition to its location, Dubai enjoys many other advantages. These include a zero tax rate for all businesses, including foreign companies.

0 % taxes for expatriates

Whether you're an executive of a large company or an employee, taxation in Dubai will soon be a reality. In fact, very recently, a law was passed to ensure that the tax rate rises to 9 %. However, the law will not be implemented until June 2023. So, to date, there is still a year to take advantage of the city's 0 % tax rate. Even after the application of this law, this tax percentage remains lower than in France. Today, for an auto-entrepreneur, you need to 24 % of taxation. For a labor-intensive company, it's always more attractive to be taxed at the lowest rate.

If you want to relax after a long day's work, you can enjoy a good-sized fireplace at an affordable price.

Average monthly rent of €1,000

For your rent in Dubai, you must between €800 and €1,200 per month. For this price, you get an 80 m² apartment. In addition to the apartment, many other services are added, including a swimming pool, a parking space and a gym.

By way of comparison, a single apartment with the same configuration in Paris costs between €2,500 and €4,500. However, for this price, you don't get the swimming pool or the various sports facilities. Compared with the French capital, you also benefit from lower monthly fees.

Approximately €200 per month

Life in Dubai is much more affordable than in France. If you want to move to this city in the United Arab Emirates, you'll benefit from a number of advantages when it comes to electricity costs. In fact, in summer you pay on average 90 per month for electricityin winter, only 60 € required. This price difference is mainly due to the absence of air conditioning on the coldest days of the year.

However, you should expect higher Internet charges. In Dubai, you can expect to pay an average of €90 per month for unlimited Internet access. In France, depending on your subscription, it will cost you around 40 per month. Your costs may be higher if you have children.

Between €3,000 and €13,000 tuition fees

Unlike France, where schooling is free, in Dubai you have to pay a certain annual fee if you want to send your children to school. You will need to between €3,000 and €13,000 per year so that your little ones can enjoy a local education. These price differences depend on many parameters. First of all, it's important to take your child's school level into account. Indeed, there is a price difference between small classes and large classes. Secondly, the quality of teaching determines the price. International schools are much more expensive.

If schooling the little ones is very expensive, you'll be able to save money on your average monthly shopping cart.

250 € shopping per month for two people

For food shopping, the average cost is only 250 per month for two people. By way of comparison, in France, the average shopping basket for two people is €400 per month. You'll also find the same price differences when it comes to dining out. In France, most culinary outings cost between €18 and €30, whereas in the rest of the world you can expect to pay between €1 and €2. between 10 and 25 euros per person in Dubai.

When you're out and about, you'll come across many French restaurants. However, hotels are not the best-paying sector in Dubai.

4,500 per month on average for an expatriate engineer in Dubai

For the French, the best-paid job is in engineering. An engineer earns between €4,000 and €5,000 per month depending on the company they work for. In Dubai, it is also common for the company that employs you to offer various benefits. These may include insurance, a company car or a certain number of plane tickets to France each year.

One of the least profitable professions is teaching French. Teachers earn an average of €3,000 per month for their services. Of course, they can also give private lessons to earn a few extra dirhams. Finally, the hotel business is one of the lowest-paying professions. For a French chef in Dubai, you can expect to pay approximately €2,500 salary per month. If you don't find a job when you arrive, you'll have to pay a small fee to cover your visa.

95 per person for e-visa to Dubai

If you want to visit the city before settling in, you'll need an e-visa. To do this, you'll need to spend 95 per person to enjoy the country for 90 days. This should be enough time to find a job in the city. Once you've found the right employer, all you have to do is apply for a "work visa" to be in good standing. In most cases, employers pay the full cost of this type of visa. This means you can enjoy your salary to the full.

You need at least €1,700 a month to live in Dubai

As life in Dubai is 23 % cheaper than in France, it's only natural that you should be able to live in this city without spending too much. In fact, once the various costs have been added up, you can expect to pay a minimum of €1,700 to live in Dubai. High salaries and a low cost of living are generally the two parameters that attract French expatriates.

Among the various costs, you also need to think about your health. Unlike in France, you'll have to pay most hospital bills.

70 per adult for access to hospitals

To gain access to the various public hospitals, you need to pay a certain fee. You are therefore required to 70 € per adult to pay for the card that gives you access to the city's various public hospitals. It's also important to take out health insurance. Since 2015, this health insurance has been compulsory. Being a cosmopolitan city, you can be sure that you'll find the best doctors in the world in Dubai. However, unlike in France, the majority of treatments are chargeable.

You now know everything there is to know about expatriation to Dubai. Before embarking on your trip, we advise you to check your financial capacities. It's also a good idea to find out about the different customs of the city's inhabitants. Finally, as with any trip to a foreign country, learn a few words of Arabic to familiarize yourself with the local culture.

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