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AUH

Abu Dhabi

United Arab Emirates

Arriving, settling in and working in Abu Dhabi: what official sources say, in the order you’ll need it. Every point links to the page it came from.

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Photo: David Rodrigo / Unsplash
Guide sections12
Sourced facts60
Last verified1 Nov 2026
Areas with rent9

Decide

Is this the right city for us?

Abu Dhabi at a glance

The basics about Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital, plus official sources for time and money.

  • The Statistics Centre Abu Dhabi reports that the emirate's population was 4,135,985 in 2024, up 7.5% on the year.
    scad.gov.ae ↗
  • About 2.8 million people (68%) live in the Abu Dhabi Region, nearly 1 million (24%) in the Al Ain Region and 325,735 (8%) in Al Dhafra (2024).
    scad.gov.ae ↗
  • Abu Dhabi city is the UAE capital. The emirate's dialling code is 02 (03 for Al Ain city), and it has two international airports: Zayed International (AUH) and Al Ain (AAN).
    u.ae ↗
  • The UAE is 4 hours ahead of GMT. The currency is the UAE dirham (AED), pegged at 1 US dollar = AED 3.6725.
    u.ae ↗
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  • Arabic is the official language.
    u.ae ↗
Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Laws & local rules

The working week, Ramadan etiquette and carrying your ID.

  • The UAE fact sheet says federal and semi-government offices work Monday to Friday, while Sharjah government entities work Monday to Thursday.
    u.ae ↗
  • Private companies set their own days: the fact sheet says most close on Sunday only, while some close on both Saturday and Sunday. Check your contract.
    u.ae ↗
  • During Ramadan, non-Muslims do not have to fast, but must not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum in public during fasting hours. Do not play music or dance in public, and dress respectfully.
    u.ae ↗
  • Every UAE resident must get an Emirates ID and carry it at all times. Companies may record the details on your card but may not hold the card.
    u.ae ↗
Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Arrive

The first 72 hours

Arriving at AUH

Getting from Zayed International Airport into the city, or on to Dubai.

  • Visit Abu Dhabi says Zayed International Airport is connected to the rest of the emirate by numerous bus services.
    visitabudhabi.ae ↗
  • The Visitor Information Centre in the arrivals hall, near the taxi stand, can help with transport options.
    visitabudhabi.ae ↗
  • The AUH Express shuttle runs 24/7 between the airport and Ibn Battuta bus station in Dubai.
    visitabudhabi.ae ↗
  • Abu Dhabi taxis start at AED 12 in the daytime. You can hail one, book on the Abu Dhabi Taxi app or call TransAD on 600 53 53 53. Uber and Careem also operate.
    abudhabiresidentsoffice.gov.ae ↗
Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Getting around

Hafilat cards, bus fares and passes.

  • A standard Hafilat bus card costs AED 10 and lasts 5 years. It is sold at ticket machines, Al Ain Cooperative, and Lulu Hypermarket and Lulu Exchange branches.
    admobility.gov.ae ↗
  • A trip inside the city costs AED 2. Regional trips cost AED 2 plus 5 fils per km, worked out from where you board and leave the bus.
    admobility.gov.ae ↗
  • Tap your card when you board and again when you get off; the fare is taken automatically.
    admobility.gov.ae ↗
  • A weekly pass costs AED 30 and a monthly pass AED 80. Both cover local trips and travel between Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
    admobility.gov.ae ↗
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  • A personalised Hafilat card costs AED 5 at bus station offices and Customer Happiness Centres. It gives students, people aged 55+ and people of determination free unlimited city and regional trips. You need your Emirates ID and a photo.
    admobility.gov.ae ↗
  • Buses E100 and E101 between Dubai and Abu Dhabi are run by Dubai's RTA. The on-demand Abu Dhabi Link bus costs AED 2 in Al Shahama.
    abudhabiresidentsoffice.gov.ae ↗
External links
Hafilat cards (Abu Dhabi Mobility) ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.
Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Settle

Home, school, doctor, bank

Neighbourhoods & renting

Tawtheeq registration, getting power and water connected, and asking rents.

  • Tawtheeq is Abu Dhabi's register for tenancy contracts. It records the lease and property details and uses a standard contract.
    addc.ae ↗
  • Once your tenancy is registered in Tawtheeq, TAQA Distribution opens your water and electricity accounts automatically. Without it, you need other proof of tenancy, and services may not be connected.
    addc.ae ↗
  • You can register on the Abu Dhabi Municipality website using the Tawtheeq e-form, or in person at a municipality customer service centre.
    addc.ae ↗
  • In Al Ain, Tawtheeq services are available through TAMM, the smart platform and Customer Happiness Centres.
    dmt.gov.ae ↗
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  • Bayut's H1 2026 report puts the average asking rent for a one-bedroom at AED 59,000 a year in Khalifa City and AED 94,000 on Al Reem Island. These are advertised prices, not contract rents.
    bayut.com ↗
External links
Rental market report H1 2026 (Bayut) ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.
Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Schools

How ADEK rates private schools and where to compare fees.

  • The Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) licenses and accredits private schools in Abu Dhabi.
    u.ae ↗
  • ADEK inspects schools under the Irtiqa'a programme. Ratings run Outstanding, Very Good, Good, Acceptable, Weak and Very Weak; ADEK says Good is the minimum standard.
    adek.gov.ae ↗
  • In ADEK's results published on 1 October 2025, 13 private schools were Outstanding, 51 Very Good, 93 Good, 42 Acceptable and 5 Weak.
    adek.gov.ae ↗
  • Every private school must display a plaque at its entrance with its latest Irtiqa'a rating and its National Identity Mark (announced June 2025).
    adek.gov.ae ↗
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  • Use the 'Find Schools and Fees' search on TAMM, linked from ADEK's private schools page, to compare schools and fees.
    adek.gov.ae ↗
External links
Private schools (ADEK) ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.
Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Healthcare

Emergency numbers, employer insurance, and the DoH apps.

  • In an emergency, call 999 for police, 998 for an ambulance or 997 for the fire department (Civil Defence). Call 991 for an electricity failure.
    u.ae ↗
  • Abu Dhabi Police's AD999 app has an SOS button to report a fire, request an ambulance or call the emergency line.
    u.ae ↗
  • Since 1 January 2025, employers must buy health insurance before applying for or renewing residence permits for private-sector employees and domestic workers. This applies in every emirate.
    u.ae ↗
  • In Abu Dhabi, employers and sponsors must insure employees and their families: one spouse and up to three children under 18.
    u.ae ↗
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  • The Department of Health's Sahatna app lets you find a doctor, book appointments and see your visits, prescriptions and lab results.
    sahatna-app.doh.gov.ae ↗
  • Malaffi, Abu Dhabi's health information exchange, connects over 2,700 facilities so doctors can see your medical record.
    doh.gov.ae ↗
Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Banking & IDs

Emirates ID steps and opening a bank account.

  • To get your first Emirates ID, you need a passport valid for at least 3 months, proof of UAE residence and an ICAO-standard photo. Anyone aged 15 or over gives fingerprints at an ICP centre. The standard service takes about 5 days.
    icp.gov.ae ↗
  • ICP lists the resident fee as AED 100 for each year of residence, plus a AED 100 smart service fee.
    icp.gov.ae ↗
  • If you renew your Emirates ID more than a month after it expires, you pay AED 20 a day, up to AED 1,000. Report a lost card to ICP within 7 days.
    u.ae ↗
  • To open a personal account, banks usually ask for your Emirates ID (or passport), proof of residence such as a tenancy contract or utility bill, and a letter from your employer. It can take up to four business days.
    centralbank.ae ↗
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  • A current account comes with cheques and a debit card. A savings account may not allow cheques but pays interest. You can open either or both.
    centralbank.ae ↗
Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Driving & cars

Licences, traffic files and the Darb toll.

  • The minimum age for a car licence is 18. Under the 'Markhoos' initiative, some visitors can drive on their national licence and exchange it for a UAE licence once they become residents.
    u.ae ↗
  • Some expatriate residents can exchange a valid licence from their home country. The UAE portal links to the Ministry of Interior for the list of eligible countries.
    u.ae ↗
  • To open a traffic file you usually need copies of your passport and Emirates ID, two photos, an eye test report and, if the traffic department asks, a no-objection letter from your sponsor.
    u.ae ↗
  • In Abu Dhabi, you apply for a driving licence and open a traffic file through TAMM.
    u.ae ↗
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  • Darb toll gates charge AED 4 a crossing from 7 to 9 am and 3 to 7 pm, except Sundays and public holidays. There are no daily or monthly caps.
    admobility.gov.ae ↗
  • Register your car on the Darb portal. After a 10-working-day grace period, an unregistered car is fined AED 100, then AED 200, then AED 400.
    admobility.gov.ae ↗
External links
Darb tolls (Abu Dhabi Mobility) ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.
Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Where people live in Abu Dhabi

Average rent a year from official or market surveys, as of 21 Jul 2026. Asking rents for new listings are often higher.

Khalifa City

Mainland, near the airport
1 bedroomAED 59,000
2 bedroomAED 104,000
Lower rent
Source: Abu Dhabi Rental Market Report H1 2026 — Bayut ↗

Al Shamkha

Mainland, southeast of the city
1 bedroomAED 63,000
2 bedroomAED 70,000
Lower rent
Source: Abu Dhabi Rental Market Report H1 2026 — Bayut ↗

Al Nahyan

Abu Dhabi island
1 bedroomAED 66,000
2 bedroomAED 83,000
Lower rent
Source: Abu Dhabi Rental Market Report H1 2026 — Bayut ↗

Hamdan Street

Abu Dhabi island, downtown
1 bedroomAED 74,000
2 bedroomAED 86,000
Source: Abu Dhabi Rental Market Report H1 2026 — Bayut ↗

Al Khalidiyah

Abu Dhabi island
1 bedroomAED 84,000
2 bedroomAED 116,000
Source: Abu Dhabi Rental Market Report H1 2026 — Bayut ↗

Al Reem Island

Island next to downtown
1 bedroomAED 94,000
2 bedroomAED 128,000
Source: Abu Dhabi Rental Market Report H1 2026 — Bayut ↗

Corniche Area

Abu Dhabi island, waterfront
1 bedroomAED 104,000
2 bedroomAED 132,000
Source: Abu Dhabi Rental Market Report H1 2026 — Bayut ↗

Al Raha Beach

Mainland, towards Yas
1 bedroomAED 111,000
2 bedroomAED 146,000
Source: Abu Dhabi Rental Market Report H1 2026 — Bayut ↗

Yas Island

Island east of the city
1 bedroomAED 113,000
2 bedroomAED 176,000
Source: Abu Dhabi Rental Market Report H1 2026 — Bayut ↗

Average annual asking rents for apartments on Bayut.com in H1 2026 (data to June 2026), outliers removed. These are advertised prices, not Tawtheeq contract rents.

Thrive

Work, study, belong

Jobs & work

Work permits, job portals, leave and scams.

  • It is illegal to work in the UAE without a valid work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). Employers may only hire you once the permit is issued.
    u.ae ↗
  • The UAE portal lists the Abu Dhabi Government job portal for government roles, and Bayt, NaukriGulf, FoundItGulf, Gulf News Careers and Laimoon for private-sector jobs.
    u.ae ↗
  • Never pay money to get a job. The UAE portal says a request to pay for visa processing or a medical test is a red flag, and job seekers do not pay recruitment agency fees.
    u.ae ↗
  • After one year of service, private-sector employees get 30 days of fully paid annual leave. Between six months and a year, you earn 2 days for each month worked.
    u.ae ↗
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  • MOHRE licenses recruitment agencies. You can check with MOHRE that an agency is licensed, or file a complaint.
    u.ae ↗
Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Universities & colleges

Who's here and how to check accreditation.

  • ADEK lists 29 higher education institutions in the emirate.
    adek.gov.ae ↗
  • They include Khalifa University, New York University Abu Dhabi, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates University, Zayed University and Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence.
    adek.gov.ae ↗
  • Al Ain University, INSEAD and IIT Delhi–Abu Dhabi are also on ADEK's list.
    adek.gov.ae ↗
  • Before you enrol, check the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) lists of licensed institutions and accredited programmes, linked from the UAE portal.
    u.ae ↗
External links
Higher education institutions (ADEK) ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.
Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Newcomer support

Places of worship, libraries and volunteering.

  • People of other faiths practise their religions freely in the UAE. Temples, churches and gurdwaras are permitted and operate across the country.
    u.ae ↗
  • You can find volunteering opportunities on Volunteers.ae, the national volunteering portal.
    u.ae ↗
  • The Abrahamic Family House on Saadiyat has a mosque, a church and a synagogue of equal size. It opened to visitors on 1 March 2023 with daily guided tours.
    mediaoffice.abudhabi ↗
  • Abu Dhabi's public libraries run under the Maktaba name, managed by the Department of Culture and Tourism. They offer books, a digital library, activities and events.
    library.dctabudhabi.ae ↗
Show 1 more
  • The Emirates Voluntary Academy in Abu Dhabi trains local volunteers with public, private and non-profit partners.
    u.ae ↗
Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

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