Dubai / Living in Dubai

Living as a Family in Dubai

A safe, modern home for international families in the United Arab Emirates

Dubai has become a popular base for families from around the world. It is a modern, cosmopolitan city with a high standard of living, strong safety and good everyday services for family life. This page gives a realistic overview of what life as a family in Dubai looks like – daily life and safety, maternity and family provisions, healthcare, education, and the practical rights that residents enjoy.

Table of Contents

Everyday Life and Safety

Maternity and Family Provisions

Healthcare for the Whole Family

Education and Schools

Financial Freedom and Setting Up

Marriage and Divorce

Family Life in Dubai

Privacy Management Group – Your Local Partner

Everyday Life and Safety

Dubai is widely regarded as one of the safest cities in the world, which is one of the main reasons families choose it. People from many countries live, work and settle here, and English is widely used in daily life, so settling in is usually straightforward. Local traditions remain an important part of society, and residents of all backgrounds take part in business, education and public life.

Maternity and Family Provisions

Parents in Dubai are supported by clear maternity and family protections, in both the public and the private sector.

In the public sector, mothers are entitled to three months of fully paid maternity leave. Additional leave can be taken before the expected delivery date, and it can be extended with annual or unpaid leave where needed.
In the private sector, mothers are entitled to 60 days of maternity leave – 45 days at full pay and 15 days at partial pay. Further unpaid leave may be granted where medical circumstances require it.
After returning to work, mothers are entitled to nursing breaks for a defined period.

These provisions make it easier for parents to combine work and family life.

Maternity and pregnancy support in Dubai

Healthcare for the Whole Family

Healthcare in Dubai is modern and well developed. Families have access to both public and private medical services, including specialist clinics and preventative care. Hospitals employ internationally trained doctors and offer services in several languages. Many residents choose comprehensive private health insurance, which usually provides access to a wide network of clinics and hospitals.

Education and Schools

Education is widely accessible in the UAE, and Dubai offers a broad choice of international and private schools following British, American and other curricula. Children can study across a wide range of subjects, and university places are widely available. (For more detail, see our overview of schools and education in Dubai.)

Financial Freedom and Setting Up

Residents in the UAE enjoy full financial independence. They can set up businesses, purchase property, open bank accounts and obtain mortgages. A growing number of UAE businesses are founded and run by residents from abroad, many of them operating internationally.

As in any country, it helps to understand the local legal framework. Inheritance, for example, can be influenced by Sharia law – but non-Muslim residents can register a will through recognised frameworks such as the DIFC Wills Service Centre.

Marriage and Divorce

Marriage in the UAE is legally permitted from the age of 18. Divorce procedures differ depending on circumstances and nationality. In general, men may initiate divorce more easily, while women must obtain a court ruling.

However, expatriates of any nationality and religion may file for divorce through the UAE legal system if they have been resident in the country for a minimum period. Many couples also choose mediation or counselling before pursuing legal proceedings.

Family Life in Dubai

Overall, Dubai offers families a safe and supportive environment with a high quality of life. Parents can pursue ambitious professional goals while raising their children in one of the world’s safest cities. With careful planning and the right support, relocating as a family can be a rewarding step.

Privacy Management Group – Your Local Partner

If you are thinking about moving to Dubai with your family and have questions about life in the UAE, our team will be pleased to help. Privacy Management Group supports international clients with relocation, residence visas, company formation and the practical aspects of settling in Dubai.

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Aspect	Dubai Freezone Company*
Jurisdiction	The free trade zones are independent economic zones with their own administration. Each zone has its own procedures for formation, licensing and supervision.
Ownership	100% foreign ownership is possible. A local sponsor is not required.
Scope of activities	The freezone is ideal for internationally active companies that operate outside the United Arab Emirates or maintain business relationships with other freezones. Direct trade on the local market is generally not provided for, but can be enabled through supplementary models (e.g. distribution partners or additional license).
License / Business purpose	Each freezone offers industry-specific licenses, e.g. for trade, services, technology or production. The granting is done directly by the respective freezone authority.
Office / Establishment	Each freezone company requires an establishment – e.g. Flex-Office, Shared Desk or an own office. We offer Full-Service packages that already contain a complete solution and enable immediate operational readiness.
Visa / Employees	Entrepreneurs and employees can obtain Residency visas. The number depends on license and office size.
Corporate tax (Corporate Tax)	Profits up to AED 375,000 per year remain tax-free. Only the profit exceeding this is taxed at 9%. Companies in a freezone that meet the legal requirements can continue to apply the tax rate of 0% on qualifying income. Small businesses with an annual turnover of up to AED 3,000,000 are completely exempt from corporate tax until the end of 2026.
Profit transfer / Withholding tax	Profits and capital can be transferred abroad without restriction. No withholding tax is levied.
Costs	Formation and ongoing costs are usually cheaper and clearly calculable. After individual consultation, we determine the optimal location and, upon request, submit a tailor-made offer that includes all services.
Conclusion	A Freezone company in Dubai is the ideal structure for entrepreneurs who are internationally active or want to conduct business with partners worldwide from Dubai. It offers full ownership rights, tax advantages and a modern, business-friendly environment.

Aspect	Dubai Mainland Company*
Jurisdiction	The mainland is subject to the state authority Department of Economy & Tourism (formerly DET) and other onshore authorities. These control all economic activities within the UAE.
Ownership	In many cases, 100% foreign ownership is also possible. In individual, regulated areas, special approvals may be required.
Scope of activities	Mainland companies may conduct business without restriction within the entire UAE. They are therefore the right choice for companies that want to be locally present and offer their products or services directly on site.
License / Business purpose	Licenses are granted centrally by the state onshore authorities. The procedures are more extensive and often subject to additional requirements.
Office / Establishment	On the mainland, a fixed business location is mandatory. As a rule, stricter area requirements and rental obligations apply here.
Visa / Employees	Mainland companies can also apply for visas for owners and employees.
Corporate tax (Corporate Tax)	For mainland companies, the same principle applies: profits up to AED 375,000 remain tax-free, above that the rate of 9% applies. This regulation ensures moderate tax burden and high planning security.
Profit transfer / Withholding tax	Mainland companies can also transfer profits freely. No withholding tax is levied either.
Costs	Formation is more complex and generally more cost-intensive. State fees, rental costs and administrative requirements are higher.
Conclusion	A Mainland company is suitable for entrepreneurs who want to be locally business active in the UAE – for example in trade, gastronomy or services for customers within the emirates.

Month	Average high (°C)	Average low (°C)	Average rainfall (mm)
January	17	7	80
February	17	7	60
March	19	9	40
April	22	12	20
May	26	16	10
June	30	20	2
July	33	23	0
August	33	23	0
September	31	21	5
October	27	17	20
November	22	12	40
December	18	8	80

Month	Average high (°C)	Average low (°C)	Average rainfall (mm)
January	17	7	80
February	17	7	60
March	19	9	40
April	22	12	20
May	26	16	10
June	30	20	2
July	33	23	0
August	33	23	0
September	31	21	5
October	27	17	20
November	22	12	40
December	18	8	80