Moving to the UAE With Children

Schools, healthcare, costs and Israeli community in the UAE for relocating families.

Last reviewed: 2026-06-04
Schools Abroad
Excellent international schools; English-medium from primary level.
Family Healthcare
Mandatory employer-provided health insurance; good private hospitals.
Childcare Costs
No income tax but Dubai rents are high; groceries and services moderate.

Moving to the UAE With Children

Since the Abraham Accords, the UAE has become an increasingly popular destination for Israeli families, with strong business opportunities and a growing Israeli community in Dubai.

Schools

Public schools in the UAE are for UAE nationals only. Expat families use private schools, which operate on the British, American, IB, or Indian curricula. Costs run from AED 20,000–80,000/year (USD 5,500–22,000). A Jewish community school is available in Dubai.

Healthcare

The UAE does not have a universal public healthcare system for expats. Employer-provided health insurance is mandatory and generally comprehensive. Families should ensure their policy covers dependents from day one.

Childcare & Daycare

Private nurseries and daycare in Dubai run AED 2,000–5,000/month (USD 550–1,400). Quality is generally high and facilities are modern.

Israeli community

The Israeli community in Dubai has grown rapidly since 2020, with estimates of 10,000–20,000 Israelis. An active social scene, synagogue, kosher food options, and Israeli businesses are well-established in Dubai.

Practical tips

  • Obtain a long-term Golden Visa or employer-sponsored residence visa. These provide stability for families.
  • Summer heat (June–September) can be extreme, so plan school calendars around this.
  • The UAE has no personal income tax, which is a significant financial advantage.