Living in the UAE as a Digital Nomad

• Where to look. Property Finder, Bayut and Dubizzle; Airbnb and serviced apartments for short stays.
• Long leases need an Emirates ID, a deposit (usually 5%) and rent in one to four cheques.
• Furnished monthly rentals are easier for nomads, at higher prices.

• SIMs: e& (Etisalat), du and Virgin Mobile; tourist SIMs are sold at the airport.
• Apps worth having: Careem and Uber (rides and delivery), Talabat and Deliveroo (food), RTA (Dubai transport), and UAE Pass for government services once you are resident.

Dubai has a driverless metro and tram; taxis are plentiful and fairly priced. Most residents drive, and international licences are accepted for visitors.

Healthcare is excellent and expensive; insurance is mandatory for residents. For emergencies, call 998 for an ambulance and 999 for police. Get health insurance.

Dubai has a large international community, with coworking events, sports clubs, beach clubs and meetups. Abu Dhabi’s scene is smaller. Around 90% of residents are foreign, so meeting people is easy.

• Dress modestly in malls, government buildings and public places; swimwear is for beaches and pools.
• Ramadan: be discreet about eating and drinking in public during the day.
• Photography: don’t photograph people, especially women, without permission, or government buildings.
• Friday is a day of prayer; the working week runs Monday to Friday, with shorter Friday hours.

The UAE is extremely safe. The law is strict on drugs (including traces in your blood), online speech, public behaviour and alcohol outside licensed settings. Summer heat is a real health risk: stay hydrated and avoid midday sun from June to September.