Are you planning to move abroad and looking for a new country to live in? The destination for French expatriates is Dubai! And for good reason: if you’re increasingly tempted by life as an expat in the sunshine, but are still hesitating to take the plunge, you should know that we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about moving to and living in the United Arab Emirates.
Expatriating is probably going to be one of the most exciting experiences of your life. Even so, you need to know where you’re going, what the advantages are and how it differs from France. In this article, we’re going to give you all our advice on how to make your move go as smoothly as possible, we’ll try to share with you the Dubai way of life and we’ll give you some guidelines on tax, work, health and even your children’s education.
1. An exceptional climate
Here in Dubai, you’ll have sun all year round, and the thermometer rarely dips below 20 degrees. An Eldorado for sun aficionados! You’ll never have to worry about the weather – family outings, lazing on the beach or beside a crystal-clear lagoon are all possible all year round! Here, the sun shines 342 days a year – a little piece of paradise on Earth !
When the heat gets too intense, which it sometimes does, you should know that air conditioning is king here, so you won’t suffer. Numerous aquatic areas have been designed with your comfort and well-being in mind. According to French nationals themselves, the sunny climate gives you the impression of being on holiday all year round.
2. Safety first and foremost
Are you tired of the climate in Europe? Do you feel unsafe in your neighbourhood? In Dubai, we can guarantee you that this will no longer be the case, because it is one of the safest cities in the world! The drastically low crime rate should convince you that moving to Dubai is the best idea you’ve had in a long time.
The reason for this serene climate is simple: in Dubai, the laws are rigorously respected, and the police are constantly on the move within the city and in all its communities. Theft is virtually non-existent here, and generally speaking it does not exist in the United Arab Emirates. The climate is so safe that it is customary to leave car and house doors open. Men and women alike can walk around day and night without fear. Have no doubts about safety in Dubai: here, more than anywhere else, you’ll be in the safe zone!
3. Dubai, a metropolis with spectacular infrastructure
Nowhere else in the world will you see such gigantic skyscrapers, more than a hundred storeys high, with a modern, futuristic architectural style that is unique in the world. The vast majority of the infrastructure is luxurious and of a high standard, guaranteeing you an extraordinary experience, ideal for a first expatriation. Here, more than anywhere else, you’ll find yourself between two worlds, and even if you can’t afford to live like a billionaire, you’ll still have access to the same activities!
Your standard of living will soar when you arrive in Dubai: you’ll enjoy gourmet restaurants at lower prices, and exceptional leisure activities – you can even go skiing in an air-conditioned shopping mall. In fact, Dubai’s malls are living spaces in their own right, containing thousands of restaurants, shops, bars and leisure facilities! We can assure you that whatever your preferences, there’s something for everyone. It’s this balance between opulence and accessibility that makes Dubai a true paradise, a timeless experience with a truly affordable cost of living for expats. Dubai is the ideal place to rebuild your life away from the hustle and bustle of Europe. Here, you can take the time to live and enjoy life!
4. A tax system to dream about
We often hear this question: « What are the taxes in Dubai? » The answer is simple: there isn’t any! If you decide to move to Dubai and become a tax resident there, you’re guaranteed to make huge savings! In fact, it’s one of the best countries in the world from a tax point of view, so you’ll be exempt from paying tax. In simple terms, you won’t be taxed on your income, your investments, your company or your wealth! Compared with Europe, this is a great way to save money. If you decide to work in Dubai, you should know that your salary will be tax-free – it’s virtually unique in the world! Companies are not taxed, and neither are food and restaurants. Setting up a business in Dubai is ideal, and will ensure that your wealth grows exponentially.
What’s more, if you want to invest in property in Dubai, you should know that there is no VAT on real estate, so you won’t have to pay any tax at all. Living in sunny Dubai is bound to raise your standard of living, and the money you save can be spent on the luxurious activities on offer in the emirate. Among the many expatriates we meet, they all agree that it has diametrically changed their lives.
5. The assurance of a dynamic, modern lifestyle
Dubai is the city of superlatives, and it’s particularly lively. If you’re a party-goer at heart, moving to Dubai will be a success, as you’ll be in your element. It’s the temple of leisure, and there’s something for everyone, all year round.
Even the public areas are like an amusement park, with everything big, beautiful and shiny. If you’re a nature lover, you can relax in lush, flowering parks in the middle of the desert, and if you’re a shopping enthusiast, you’ll find the world’s largest shopping malls in Dubai. We promise you’ll never be bored!
6. A multi-ethnic population
Dubai is home to the largest concentration of foreign nationals, which will of course make it easier for you to integrate into the country. A contemporary, cosmopolitan lifestyle where you’ll find it easy to fit in because of the great cultural diversity. What’s more, with such a large expatriate community, you’ll find it easy to meet expats from your home country. The Europe expatriate community is quite large and well established in this host country. You can live here as you would in France.
Once you’ve got over the culture shock, living in a country like this is very pleasant and you can easily find work if you want it.
7. Dubai is all about business
For several years now, Dubai has been « the place to be ». Indeed, the world’s financial markets have turned their attention to this exciting economic growth. Investors and entrepreneurs from all over the world have made no mistake, flocking to the metropolis in droves. If you’re thinking of setting up your own business, Dubai is the ideal place to be in 2024, especially as the legislation is particularly lenient for anyone wishing to set up there.
8. Ideally placed on the globe
Still in the financial and business sector, Dubai is strategically very interesting. At the crossroads of Asia, Europe and Africa, a lot has been happening here in recent years.
Thanks to its dynamic ecosystem, international mobility is made easy. And you’ll have access to numerous destinations from its airport, ideal if you need to travel regularly for your professional life or simply for holidays.
9. A state-of-the-art education system
The Dubai government has invested heavily in education, and international schools are commonplace here. You can be sure that your children will receive a perfectly reliable, state-of-the-art education. This is a real plus point when expatriating to Dubai, where the standards of education and health compete with those of all the other major nations of the world. So don’t worry, your children will be able to follow the French curriculum even if you choose to live abroad, and take courses of the highest standard.
11. Ultra-modern technology
You’ll soon realise when you arrive in Dubai that, despite its geographical location in the middle of the desert and its naturally limited resources, the people of Dubai have succeeded in a crazy gamble: creating a lush, hyper-modern lifestyle where it seemed impossible! But impossible is not Dubai! Solar energy is omnipotent, and the entire city relies on this resource, a real ecological battle.
Living in Dubai, you can do almost everything from the Internet, and that speeds up your life enormously! In France, our administrative procedures, such as paying for parking, opening an account or obtaining a resident’s visa, take hours. In Dubai, you can do it all from your smartphone! Our aim is to simplify your daily life and save you all the hassle.
As you can see, your future life in Dubai promises to be a joyous one! It’s a radical change from what you knew in France, with opportunities that promise success and happiness for your whole family. If you have any questions about a particular subject, or would like more information, don’t hesitate to contact our estate agents via our website. We’ll be delighted to answer all your questions!
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