You have now spent a month or so in the UAE.
In that time, you have completed what first seemed like a daunting set of tasks – making the initial move, setting up a bank account, buying a car, renting a house and starting to make friends.
Now that you have time to breathe and are familiar with some of the country, you're probably starting to feel more settled.
Here is our guide to reaping the benefits of life in the UAE and making that all-important transition from a newbie to a veteran.
Getting used to the roads
Cars are an important part of life in the UAE.
But while you may have acquired a driving licence and purchased a car after researching the market, it takes time to learn how to master the roads here.
Although the UAE offers relatively cheap fuel, costs can still add up for drivers who use their cars frequently. Here's nine tips for how to save on fuel costs.
Driving in the UAE is also affected by the seasons. During the summer months, it's important to keep your car safe from the heat – here's our guide on how to avoid any sun damage.
Heavy fog can lead to dangerous conditions on the road – follow our guide to minimise the risk.
If you do witness or experience an accident, here's how to report one.
And for those without a car who want to travel between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, here's a guide to the free shuttle bus.
Finding the best deals
The UAE is one of the most popular shopping destinations in the world, and there is no shortage of world-class malls and markets to find treasured goods.
In the UAE, the mall isn't just a place for shopping – there are a whole range of attractions within, ranging from roller coasters to an aquarium and even an indoor ski slope.
Grocery shopping will also be a central part of life in the Emirates. In 2022, Abu Dhabi introduced a ban on single-use plastic bags. Find out here what this means for shoppers, and which bags are excluded from the rule.
Online shopping is booming in the UAE and can be done from the comfort of your mobile phone. Here's our list of the most useful apps, ranging from food delivery to essential services.
And to avoid those unwanted offers, here's how to block cold calls and sale offers over the phone.
Mastering the weather
Having spent a month in the Emirates, there's a high chance you will have been treated to the UAE's most common weather – blue skies and sun.
But the country does occasionally experience more extreme bouts of weather, ranging from sandstorms to dangerous low-lying fog.
If you suffer from hay fever, you may also want to check out our guide to avoiding symptoms.
Enjoying the Emirates
The UAE boasts a wide variety of things to do.
It's impossible to list the full range of activities here, but we've collected some highlights to help you decide how to spend your leisure time.
For families, here's our ultimate guide to keeping your kids entertained in Abu Dhabi.
If culture is more your thing, these are some of the best museums to spend an afternoon meandering through.
Abu Dhabi's most popular cultural attractions include Louvre Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Qasr Al Hosn, Ferrari World and SeaWorld. Here's our guide to the top 15 things to do in the capital emirate.
Dubai also offers a vast range of activities and attractions. Here's our top 20, including the Museum of the Future, Global Village, and the Mohammed bin Rashid Library. To familiarise yourself with the UAE skyline, here's a quick guide to Dubai's 30 most famous buildings.
Eating the UAE way
Food is a massive part of UAE culture.
Emirati cuisine is just one part of the country's diverse culinary landscape, with rich offerings from India, the Philippines, and more.
Dubai has 14 Michelin-starred restaurants while Abu Dhabi has three one-star venues and four included in the Bib Gourmand category.
Check out our guide to the best restaurants in the UAE here. For those looking for less well-known options, here's our list of hidden gems. And here's the verdict from our readers.
Experiencing Eid and Ramadan
The UAE observes a number of public holidays and religious festivals.
Unlike in some parts of the world, the start of religious holidays such as Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha is determined by the Islamic lunar calendar, which changes each year.
However, National Day and Commemoration Day take place in early December every year.
Check out our guide to UAE public holidays or our rolling update on when the next public holiday is taking place.
Exploring further afield
One of the attractions of the UAE is its location as a central travel hub for the world.
Many residents first start their travels by exploring the UAE's southern neighbour, Oman.
It only takes an estimated four-and-a-half hours to drive from Dubai to Muscat – here's everything you need to know before embarking on your road trip. Another option is to explore the stunning greenery of the khareef season in Salalah.
And for those wanting to get a plane and go further afield, here's a list of ten destinations within a five-hour flight of the UAE.
Applying for a golden visa
For those who want to stay in the UAE for the long-term, the golden visa is the ideal option.
The 10-year residence permits are given to people who have made an outstanding contribution to the country, have highly prized skills or work in key industries that are crucial to economic growth.
Hundreds of thousands of UAE residents have been awarded a golden visa since the scheme was first introduced in 2019.
There are several categories of people who are eligible to apply for the golden visa.
Check out our full guide on how to apply for the golden visa here.
See you soon …
We hope this has helped you feel more at home in the Emirates. When the time comes, make sure to check out our next guide: Leaving the UAE
Previous guides:
Before Moving to the UAE
Just Arrived in the UAE
First Month in the UAE
MATCH INFO
BRIGHTON 0
MANCHESTER UNITED 3
McTominay 44'
Mata 73'
Pogba 80'
What's in the deal?
Agreement aims to boost trade by £25.5bn a year in the long run, compared with a total of £42.6bn in 2024
India will slash levies on medical devices, machinery, cosmetics, soft drinks and lamb.
India will also cut automotive tariffs to 10% under a quota from over 100% currently.
Indian employees in the UK will receive three years exemption from social security payments
India expects 99% of exports to benefit from zero duty, raising opportunities for textiles, marine products, footwear and jewellery
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2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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MATCH INFO
Quarter-finals
Saturday (all times UAE)
England v Australia, 11.15am
New Zealand v Ireland, 2.15pm
Sunday
Wales v France, 11.15am
Japan v South Africa, 2.15pm
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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MATCH INFO
Norwich City 1 (Cantwell 75') Manchester United 2 (Aghalo 51' 118') After extra time.
Man of the match Harry Maguire (Manchester United)
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
Defending champions
World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack
Chelsea 2 Burnley 3
Chelsea Morata (69'), Luiz (88')
Burnley Vokes (24', 43'), Ward (39')
Red cards Cahill, Fabregas (Chelsea)
What is a Ponzi scheme?
A fraudulent investment operation where the scammer provides fake reports and generates returns for old investors through money paid by new investors, rather than through ligitimate business activities.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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T20 World Cup Qualifier, Muscat
UAE FIXTURES
Friday February 18: v Ireland
Saturday February 19: v Germany
Monday February 21: v Philippines
Tuesday February 22: semi-finals
Thursday February 24: final
The five pillars of Islam
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Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
The biog
Born: Kuwait in 1986
Family: She is the youngest of seven siblings
Time in the UAE: 10 years
Hobbies: audiobooks and fitness: she works out every day, enjoying kickboxing and basketball
Heavily-sugared soft drinks slip through the tax net
Some popular drinks with high levels of sugar and caffeine have slipped through the fizz drink tax loophole, as they are not carbonated or classed as an energy drink.
Arizona Iced Tea with lemon is one of those beverages, with one 240 millilitre serving offering up 23 grams of sugar - about six teaspoons.
A 680ml can of Arizona Iced Tea costs just Dh6.
Most sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, five teaspoons of sugar in a 500ml bottle.
Roger Federer's record at Wimbledon
Roger Federer's record at Wimbledon
1999 - 1st round
2000 - 1st round
2001 - Quarter-finalist
2002 - 1st round
2003 - Winner
2004 - Winner
2005 - Winner
2006 - Winner
2007 - Winner
2008 - Finalist
2009 - Winner
2010 - Quarter-finalist
2011 - Quarter-finalist
2012 - Winner
2013 - 2nd round
2014 - Finalist
2015 - Finalist
2016 - Semi-finalist
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
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Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
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