Thinking of swapping that boring grey overcast and 10-degree weather for white sand in the United Arab Emirates?
Let’s be honest – most Brits without much knowledge of the UAE probably only really know about Dubai. Maybe Abu Dhabi at a push. But this is a gorgeous country with a lot more to offer than just those major tourist hotspots.
Each one of the seven states here has its own benefits and rules when it comes to housing and visas – even lifestyles. So throughout this article, you’ll learn what separates each of them so you can move here knowing exactly what to expect.
This is a bit of history worth knowing about before we get into each state. During the late nineteenth century, Britain created a loose British protectorate along the Arabian Peninsula, which was intent on policing pearls and passing steamers.
But then, in 1971, London pulled out of this, which is when the following rulers formed a new Arab country:
Ras Al Khaimah joined a few months after this, and that completes the seven emirates we have today. There’s also the Federal National Council that manages everything from foreign affairs and defence to federal taxes. But each emirate has its own rules for local courts and town planning.
You’re getting vastly different cultures and lifestyles depending on the emirate you settle down in, so let’s break down each state individually:
Abu Dhabi sits on two hundred islands and supplies almost all the UAE’s oil – we know, crazy – which makes it by far the richest of the coastal emirates.
There are skyscrapers all over the place here, but there are also plenty of mangroves here (so you’re not just in a concrete jungle!). Annual GDP per capita reached 49,000 US dollars in 2023. But rent here still hovers well below central London – even the utilities are subsidised for residents!
Even though Abu Dhabi is the wealthiest emirate, Dubai is still probably the most famous emirate. You’re probably mainly thinking of gorgeous weather and high-rises, but the real lure here is paperwork efficiency. Dubai serves the federation as its commercial engine, with free zones that allow full foreign ownership and zero income tax.
A Reuters note projects national growth at 4.9% in 2025, which is fuelled by non-oil sectors anchored in Dubai. If you’re moving here as a Brit, you’ll undoubtedly appreciate the two-year digital-nomad visa and cheap petrol – not to mention the lifestyle.
Sharjah neighbours Dubai and is the only emirate to ban alcohol outright. Keep that in mind if you’re someone who likes a drink – it’s definitely a lifestyle adjustment. Here, you’ll find plenty of museums along its creek, and annual book fairs pull record crowds.
You’re best off choosing Sharjah if you’re moving with a family and looking for lower rent than in Dubai. And yeah, you might be facing forty-minute commutes to work, but you’ll save thousands a year.
Ajman City is quality, in terms of beaches and yacht clubs. It’s also a busy free zone in the UAE’s most populated emirate by density. Two-bed flats start near £800 a month, so that’s a huge pull for freelancers who bill clients abroad (or if you find a local job here!).
Ras Al Khaimah is the fourth-largest emirate. Here, you’re getting desert dunes where you can go quadbiking with your mates, but there’s also the Jebel Jais range – some stunning mountains if you’re after a video or a nice hike (basically Snowdonia without the rain!).
In addition, offshore company formation costs half the rate you’d be charged in Dubai.
Umm Al Quwain is definitely one of the quieter emirates, but you are getting some of the lowest fees in the whole country here. Also, you can even buy alcohol at supermarket prices if you get a waterside licence, so you don’t need to go completely sober if you’re worried about a massive lifestyle change!
Overall, this is a great place if you’re looking for an affordable villa to retire or work remotely in.
Fujairah is on the eastern coast (some lush beaches over there), and is the only emirate with a shoreline outside the Persian Gulf and into the sea!
It’s got a port that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz, which attracts plenty of divers. And if you’re worried about humidity – understandably so since it’s a massive change from the UK – you’ll be glad to know it’s a lot lower in this emirate, and there’s even some rain here.
Summer highs reach 45°C, which is obviously going to take some getting used to. Winter evenings are a bit more comfortable at 16°C. Also, the World Bank pegs the UAE’s population at 10.8 million in 2024. Non-oil GDP (this is an important metric in terms of sustainability) also grew 5.9% in the first nine months of 2023, which shows that they’re diversifying well
Every emirate hosts British, IB, and Indian academies. Tuition for a UK-accredited secondary programme ranges from £6,000 a year in Ajman to over £20,000 in Dubai. Government clinics here serve citizens, but potential expats like yourself need to carry insurance. Premiums start at around £800 annually for basic cover here.
Most business happens in English, but road signs and court filings also appear in Arabic. You ideally want to learn a few greetings to show respect, and it’s also something that speeds up paperwork.
The treaty era we talked about earlier lingers in a few legal quirks. For example, English is still the court language in financial free zones, and property law borrows terms like “freehold” and “leasehold.” There are even roundabouts that are named after British monarchs in older Sharjah districts.
Motorways link Abu Dhabi to Ras Al Khaimah in under three hours. Speed cameras enforce strict limits, and a Salik toll tag works a lot like the Dart Charge. The Dubai Metro stays within city limits, but the Etihad Rail will soon connect the seven emirates, which will massively cut your commute times!
Relocating from Britain to the UAE is obviously a huge leap, but Upscore’s Finance Passport is an easy way to sync your UK credit files and turn an unorganised mess of documents into a shareable link!
Heading south from Dover? You’re probably high on the thought of new food and culture if you’re moving here from...
Read More
Upscore Launches AI-Powered Property Finder to Help Buyers Find Homes and Save Money Upscore, the innovative property and mortgage technology...
Read More
Moving abroad is one of those things that feels exciting until you take a look at all the paperwork and...
Read More
