Looking for Filipino Expats in Abu Dhabi?

Thinking about moving to Abu Dhabi as a Filipino? These pros and cons come from the InterNations Expat Insider 2026 survey, in which thousands of expats around the world share what they like and don't like about life abroad each year. The points below reflect what Filipino expats in Abu Dhabi wrote in their own words, backed up by survey percentages from all expats living there.

• It is safe. Filipinos mention it most, and 92% of expats in Abu Dhabi rate personal safety positively, against a global average of 81%.

• The economy and careers are strong. 94% rate the state of the economy positively and 78% say the move improved their career prospects, with tax-free pay.

• It's clean, diverse, and easy to get around. 72% find bureaucracy easy and 83% get by fine in English, with 93% rating government environmental policy positively.

• Healthcare and food are a plus. 87% rate the quality of medical care positively and 90% culinary variety, in a diverse, welcoming city.

• Housing costs push people into shared rooms. Just 26% of expats in Abu Dhabi rate housing affordability positively, and Filipinos describe paying up or sharing a room or bedspace.

• Pay and hiring can hinge on nationality. A recurring theme is salaries and job offers shaped by passport, with no set minimum wage.

• The heat and thin nature wear on people. Only 35% rate the climate and weather positively and 60% the natural environment (vs. 84% globally).

• Work and belonging can be hard. Only 53% are happy with their work-life balance and 38% say making local friends is easy, with overall happiness (62%) below the global average.

For Filipinos, Abu Dhabi offers safety, jobs, tax-free pay, and a clean, well-run life. The trade-offs are the cost of housing, the heat, and pay that can hinge on nationality. It rewards those who come with a solid package and a plan to save.

Every year, we publish one of the biggest global surveys among expats — asking them about various aspects of their life, from work to leisure. Learn what motivated our Filipino members to move abroad, what keeps them there, and what they struggle with or miss about home.

InterNations is the perfect place for Filipino expats in Abu Dhabi to find the help and resources they have been looking for. The "Father Of The Gazelle" will soon become your new home with our InterNations community - we help you to take full advantage of your new life here!

• Get to know Abu Dhabi’s Filipino expats.
• Join today and find everything you need through our Expat Forums and entries from fellow Filipinos in Abu Dhabi.
• Read through our extensive Expat Guides to receive useful information on Abu Dhabi.

Our Abu Dhabi community is also very active offline. Our members get to enjoy a range of events and activities on monthly and weekly basis, e.g. a great dinner at Abu Dhabi’s fanciest restaurant organized by our InterNations Ambassadors, or a weekend trip to explore the UAE’s unique vibe. These events and activities are a perfect and casual way to get in touch with fellow Filipino expats in your city and Filipinos in the UAE. Interested? Simply sign up for membership and join the ranks of our Filipinos living in Abu Dhabi.