Moving to Dubai with a family: what is actually involved

October 2026 · Kevin Walsh, Senior Investment Advisor

In August 2026 we packed up our home in Ireland and moved to Dubai with our two girls. People ask me about the property market, but just as often they ask what the move itself was like. This is the list I wish someone had given us.

1. Your visa comes first

Almost everything else, from the bank account to the lease, depends on your residence visa and Emirates ID. Most people get a visa through an employer or their own company. Property is another route: buying property worth AED 2 million or more can qualify you for the 10-year Golden Visa, subject to the current rules. Once you hold a residence visa, you can usually sponsor your spouse and children on it.

Expect a medical test and biometrics for the Emirates ID. Health insurance is mandatory in Dubai, and many employers include family cover, so check yours.

2. Schools and nurseries: start early

Dubai’s private schools are inspected and rated by the KHDA, and the reports are public. That makes comparing schools easier than you might expect. The good ones have waiting lists, and the school year starts in late August, so apply months before you move. Fees vary enormously, so budget per child, per year, before you fall in love with a school. Ours are still nursery age, which gave us more flexibility; families with school-age children need to plan further ahead.

3. Renting your first home

Leases are usually for a year, often paid in one to four post-dated cheques. Fewer cheques can mean a better price.
Budget for a security deposit (typically around 5% of the annual rent) and an agency fee on top of the rent.
Your lease is registered through Ejari, which you need for utilities and many other services.
Electricity and water come from DEWA, with a refundable deposit when you connect.

My advice is to rent first, even if you plan to buy. Live in a community for a while. You learn more on a Saturday morning walking to the park than from any brochure.

4. The practical bits

Bank account: most banks need your Emirates ID, so this comes after the visa.
Driving: if your licence is from an approved country (Ireland and the UK both are), you can usually exchange it without a test.
Phone: you can get a SIM on arrival, then move it to your Emirates ID.
Paperwork: bring attested birth and marriage certificates. You will need them for visas and schools.

5. What surprised us

How easy family life is. The parks, the beaches in the cooler months and the sense of safety are the reasons we came, and they have held up. The summer heat is real, so life moves indoors from June to September. And the city is still being built around you, which is exactly why I find the property market so interesting.