Hidden costs of moving to Dubai
Deposits, fees and bills that do not show up in the rent or the salary. Each one comes with its official source, checked in October 2026.
General information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change, so check the linked source before you rely on a figure.
One-time costs when you move in
Rental security deposit
When you sign a lease, the landlord may take a security deposit to cover the upkeep of the property. The landlord must return it, or what is left of it, when the lease ends. Damage beyond normal wear and tear can be repaired from the deposit. The law does not set the amount, so agree it in the contract.
Sources: Dubai Land Department Tenancy Guide, with Law No. 26 of 2007 and Decree No. 43 of 2013, Law No. 26 of 2007, Article 20; Dubai Land Department, Frequently Asked Questions. Checked October 2026.
Agency commission
If you rent through a broker, u.ae says some brokers may ask for a commission of up to 5% of the total rent. On a yearly rent of 100,000 AED, 5% is 5,000 AED. Dubai Land Department says the commission is set by agreement between the parties.
Sources: u.ae, Leasing a property in the UAE, Rent rates; Dubai Land Department, Frequently Asked Questions, How is the broker fee determined. Checked October 2026.
Ejari tenancy registration
Leases in Dubai must be registered, and registration is needed to connect electricity and water. Dubai Land Department lists these fees to register or renew a tenancy contract:
| Fee | Dubai REST app or website | Trustee centre |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | 100 | 100 |
| Knowledge fee | 10 | 10 |
| Innovation fee | 10 | 10 |
| Service partner fee | 55 plus 2.75 VAT | 95 plus VAT |
| Total in AED | 177.75 | 220 |
Sources: Dubai Land Department, Register or Renew Tenancy Contract; u.ae, Leasing a property in the UAE, Registering lease agreements. Checked October 2026.
DEWA security deposit and connection
Once Ejari is issued, DEWA sends the account number and the security deposit to pay. Electricity and water are connected within 15 working hours of payment.
| DEWA charge | AED |
|---|---|
| Security deposit, flat | 2,000 |
| Security deposit, villa | 4,000 |
| Connection, small meters | 125 |
| Connection, large meters | 300 |
| Registration, knowledge and innovation fees | 30 |
For a flat with small meters, that is 2,155 AED on the day you move in.
Source: DEWA service guide, Activation of Electricity/Water (Move-in), Service Fees. Checked October 2026.
District cooling, also called chiller
Some buildings get air conditioning as chilled water from a district cooling plant. The cooling company bills separately from DEWA. Its charges can include a connection charge, a charge for the cooling capacity contracted for your home, a charge for what you use, meter maintenance and a billing charge. Every charge must be approved by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy. Before you sign a lease, ask whether chiller is included in the rent, and if not, which company bills it and what it charges.
Source: Dubai Executive Council Resolution No. 6 of 2021 Regulating District Cooling Services, Articles 11 and 12. Checked October 2026.
Family visas, medical tests and Emirates IDs
Your employer pays for your own work permit and residence visa. If you bring your family, you are their sponsor. You need a salary of at least 4,000 AED a month, or 3,000 AED plus accommodation. Family members aged 18 or over must pass a medical fitness test at an approved centre. Visa fees are listed on each service card of ICP and GDRFA Dubai. If you hold a self-sponsored residence visa, these costs are yours for you too.
Sources: u.ae, Labour rights, Know Your Rights; u.ae, Residence visa for family members; u.ae, Visa fees. Checked October 2026.
Recurring costs
Dubai Municipality housing fee
Tenants in Dubai pay a housing fee to Dubai Municipality of 5% of the yearly rent. It is added to the monthly electricity and water bill.
| Yearly rent in AED | Housing fee a year | Housing fee a month |
|---|---|---|
| 60,000 | 3,000 | 250 |
| 100,000 | 5,000 | 417 |
| 150,000 | 7,500 | 625 |
Our Dubai salary calculator includes this 5% fee in its utilities line. It leaves it out when the employer provides housing, when utilities are included in the rent, and for a bedspace.
Source: u.ae, Leasing a property in the UAE, Registering lease agreements. Checked October 2026.
Chiller bills
Where a building uses district cooling, the bill must show the contracted cooling capacity and its rate, how much you used and its rate, and any billing charge. The capacity part is charged on what is contracted for your home, so ask about it before you sign.
Source: Dubai Executive Council Resolution No. 6 of 2021 Regulating District Cooling Services, Article 11. Checked October 2026.
Salik road tolls
Dubai charges a toll each time you pass a Salik gate. Salik announced these prices, which depend on the time of day, from 31 January 2025. Check salik.ae for any later change.
| Time | Weekdays, AED | Sundays, AED |
|---|---|---|
| Peak, 6 am to 10 am and 4 pm to 8 pm | 6 | 4 |
| Off peak, 10 am to 4 pm and 8 pm to 1 am | 4 | 4 |
| 1 am to 6 am | Free | Free |
Sunday prices do not apply on public holidays and during events, and the hours are different in Ramadan. Passing Al Safa North and South, or Al Mamzar North and South, in one direction within an hour is charged once. If your commute passes one gate each way at peak time on 22 working days a month, that is 264 AED a month.
Source: Salik Company disclosure to the Dubai Financial Market, 17 January 2025. Checked October 2026.
Car registration and insurance
A vehicle registration in Dubai lasts up to 12 months. Renewing it costs 350 AED for a light private vehicle plus a 20 AED knowledge and innovation fee. RTA checks that the insurance is valid, and the technical inspection where one is needed, before it renews.
Source: RTA, Renew and Amend Vehicle Data Ownership. Checked October 2026.
Rent increases at renewal
To change the rent or terms at renewal, either side must give notice at least 90 days before the lease ends. Any increase is capped by how your rent compares with the average for similar homes in the RERA rental index:
| Your rent compared with the average | Most it can rise |
|---|---|
| Up to 10% below | No increase |
| 11% to 20% below | 5% |
| 21% to 30% below | 10% |
| 31% to 40% below | 15% |
| More than 40% below | 20% |
Sources: Dubai Land Department Tenancy Guide, with Law No. 26 of 2007 and Decree No. 43 of 2013, Decree No. 43 of 2013, Article 1; Dubai Land Department, Frequently Asked Questions, How can the landlord or tenant modify the terms of a contract. Checked October 2026.
Health insurance for your family
In Dubai, employers must insure their employees, but sponsors must insure their resident dependents. Unless your employer covers your family, their premiums are a yearly cost for you.
Source: u.ae, Getting health insurance, Health insurance for resident expatriates. Checked October 2026.
More for your move
Guide
Dubai job offer checklistEleven things to check before you accept, and questions to ask the employer.Tool
UAE gratuity calculatorYour end of service gratuity from basic salary and dates, with the working shown.- Dubai areas and rentsCompare areas to live in before you agree a housing allowance.
- Dubai schools and feesSchool fees to weigh against a school fees allowance.
- Dubai salary guidesWhat 5,000 to 50,000 AED a month leaves for a single person, a couple and a family.