Welcome to UAEFinanceGuide.com — your practical playbook for personal finance in the UAE. We help expats in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and beyond make smarter money decisions about bank accounts, credit cards, insurance, taxes, investments and the cost of living.
Our promise is simple: independent comparisons, clear explanations, and actionable checklists tailored to the realities of expat life.
Our mission
To make UAE expat finance simple, transparent and doable. We translate complex rules, fees and eligibility criteria into step‑by‑step guides you can act on today.
What we cover
- Banking: how to open a bank account in the UAE, best current & savings accounts for expats, international transfers.
- Cards: best credit cards in Dubai, no‑annual‑fee cards, rewards/cashback, salary & residency requirements.
- Insurance: health, car, home and life policies for expats; what’s mandatory per emirate.
- Taxes: UAE tax residency essentials, double taxation agreements, VAT basics for individuals.
- Investing: ETFs, broker access for non‑residents, local vs offshore options, fees.
- Cost of living: rent, utilities, schooling, transport — realistic budgets and savings ideas.
What makes us different
- Expat‑first lens: We focus on residency status, sponsor rules, documentation and practical hurdles expats actually face.
- Independent & transparent: Coverage is editorially driven. If a link is affiliate or a placement is sponsored, we say so clearly. We never sell rankings.
- Actionable resources: calculators, checklists, comparison tables and decision workflows you can use in minutes.
- Plain English: No jargon. We prefer examples, scenarios and clear caveats.
Editorial principles
We follow Google’s Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness and Trustworthiness standards:
- Experience: We contextualize products and rules with on‑the‑ground expat scenarios (salary thresholds, Ejari/Tawtheeq, Emirates ID timelines, etc.).
- Expertise: Articles are researched from primary sources (banks/insurers/government portals) and product documents.
- Authoritativeness: We link to official pages and reputable consultancies where relevant.
- Trustworthiness: Clear disclosures, dated updates, correction policy and privacy safeguards.
See also: Editorial Policy & Corrections and Disclaimer & Affiliate Disclosure.
How we make money
Our site is free to use. We may earn affiliate commissions when you use certain links (at no extra cost to you) and we may show display advertising. Compensation can affect placement, but never our opinions.
- Read the full Disclaimer & Affiliate Disclosure.
- Manage cookies/ad choices via Cookie Policy and your privacy settings.
Methodology: how we compare products
When we review or rank bank accounts, credit cards, insurance or apps, we assess:
- Costs & rates: fees, APR/profit rates, FX markups, penalties.
- Value for expats: acceptance for non‑citizens, salary transfer needs, documents, portability when changing jobs.
- Benefits: rewards, lounge access, insurance add‑ons, financing features.
- Service & access: digital onboarding, branch/ATM footprint, support channels.
- Transparency: clarity of terms, eligibility fine print, provider reliability.
We periodically re‑check offers and update pages, but providers can change terms without notice. Always verify on the official site before applying.
Data protection & privacy
We respect your privacy and aim to comply with the UAE PDPL and, where applicable, GDPR. Learn more in our Privacy Policy (cookies, analytics, consent, data rights) and Terms & Conditions.
Accessibility
We want everyone to use our content. Read our Accessibility Statement for commitments, known limitations and how to request alternative formats.
Corrections & feedback
If you spot an error or out‑of‑date rate/fee, please email [email protected] with the page URL and details. We review and update material issues promptly and note significant changes on the page.
Contact
UAE Finance Guide
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (online publication)
Email: [email protected]
Media inquiries: subject line “Media/Press”
Quick links
FAQ (About UAE Finance Guide)
Is UAE Finance Guide a bank or financial adviser?
No. We publish educational content and comparisons. We don’t provide personalized advice or broker products. See our Disclaimer.
Do affiliate links change our recommendations?
No. Editorial coverage is independent. Compensation may influence where offers appear, but not our opinions.
Can you help me pick a specific product?
We can’t advise individually. Use our guides to shortlist options, then verify terms with providers or consult a licensed adviser.