The first 10 working days decide the first 12 months.
Emirates ID, UAE Pass, SIM, bank account, Ejari, DEWA, driving licence: in that order, day by day. Plus the doctors, schools, banks and the will most people leave too late.
As of 10/2026. Fees and contacts checked against official sources; second-hand figures are marked as such in the guide.
Weeks 1 and 2 after arrival. As the guide sets it out.
| Day | What happens | Depends on |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Entry, visa status, medical, fingerprints | Licence or employment contract |
| 2–3 | Emirates ID application, activating UAE Pass | Medical passed |
| 3–5 | SIM card, opening a personal account | Emirates ID (the application is enough at some banks) |
| 5–8 | Home, Ejari, DEWA | Account, cheques |
| 8–10 | Transferring the driving licence, Salik, car | Emirates ID, Ejari |
4 pages from the guide.
German-speaking doctors
General, paediatrics, orthopaedics, dermatology, dental: with practice, location and contact.
12 schools on one page
Curriculum, KHDA rating, annual fee, admissions contact.
Banks side by side
Mashreq, Emirates Islamic, HSBC and the alternatives: papers, minimum balance, SWIFT.
A will in the UAE
DIFC Will and Dubai Courts Will: the difference, the cost, the process.
Buy the guide. PDF straight away, issued in your name.
Final price, one payment, nothing after it. Delivered as a PDF the moment it clears.
Card payment through our payment provider. Every copy carries the buyer’s name and email in the footer.
Buy the guide
Name and email, then payment. The guide is ready to download straight afterwards and also arrives by email.
Card payment through our payment provider. We never see your card details.
Every copy carries the buyer’s name and email address in the footer. The licence is for your own use, not for passing on.
| Chapter | Contents |
|---|---|
| 1 The first 90 days | 10 working days as a plan, the legalisation chain for certificates |
| 2 Apps | Dubai Police, RTA, DARB, Salik, UAE Pass, Dubai REST, Botim and others |
| 3 Banks and accounts | Papers, minimum balance, cheque law |
| 4 Doctors and emergencies | German-speaking doctors, hospitals with an emergency department, emergency numbers |
| 5 Health insurance | Mandatory cover, and why the minimum plan does not carry a family |
| 6 Schools | 12 schools, the school year, deadlines |
| 7 Housing | Communities, Ejari, DEWA, tradespeople |
| 8 Cars and getting around | Driving licence, buying or leasing, Salik |
| 9 Wills | DIFC Will, Dubai Courts Will, guardianship |
| 10 Leisure | Parks, beaches and their rules, malls |
| 11 Restaurants | 14 checked addresses in Dubai and Abu Dhabi |
| 12 Everyday rules | Ramadan, alcohol licence, the weekend |
| 13 First-year checklist | To tick off |
| 14 Numbers and glossary | Every contact on one page |
Who the guide is for
You arrive within the next 90 days
You want the order of steps before you are standing at the airport.
You are already here
School, insurance or a will are still open.
You organise it yourself
Company and visas are running, everyday life is not. That is what the guide is for.
Questions about it
How do I get the guide?
Straight after payment. The confirmation page carries the download, and the same file goes to the address you gave. If nothing arrives, write to us and we send it by hand.
What language is it in?
English on this page, German on the German one. Switch the language at the top and you buy the other edition.
How current are the figures?
The 2026/27 edition, as of September 2026. Phone numbers, fees and addresses are checked against official sources, and where a figure is second-hand the guide says so.
Do I still need you after this?
Not for daily life — that is what the guide is for. For the company, visas, banking, insurance and a will, yes, because that is where deadlines, applications and licensed partners meet. The guide sets both out side by side so you can decide.
Can I return it?
No. The sale runs under UAE law and the file is delivered the moment you pay. If it does not reach you or arrives damaged, we replace it — just write to us.
Would you rather hand over company, visas, account and will?
The guide handles everyday life. For applications, deadlines and licensed partners, there is us. A 15-minute first call, free of charge.
Exit Palm does not provide legal or tax advice. For legal and tax questions we work with licensed partners in Germany and the UAE. All information without warranty; see the date for the version it reflects.
As of 10/2026