Looking for German Expats in the United Arab Emirates?

Is the UAE a good move for Germans? 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 German expats in the UAE wrote in their own words, backed up by survey percentages from all expats living there.

• Careers and the economy are strong. 92% of expats in the UAE rate the state of the economy positively, 80% say the move improved their career prospects, and 53% rate the local job market positively (vs. 38% globally).

• It's stable, safe, and easy to operate in. 89% rate political stability positively, 94% personal safety, and 70% find bureaucracy easy, while 80% get by fine in English.

• It's diverse and international. A mix of cultures and a global community draw praise, and 90% rate the opportunity to travel positively.

• Sunshine and services are a plus. Year-round sun, beaches, and polished infrastructure come up often, with 85% rating the quality of medical care positively.

• There's no safety net. Germans miss the security of home — no social system, limited job protection, and weak company health insurance come up repeatedly.

• The heat and thin nature wear on people. Only 50% rate the climate and weather positively, 55% air quality, and 64% the natural environment (vs. 84% globally).

• Driving and traffic frustrate. Aggressive driving and traffic management are common complaints.

• Costs and belonging can bite. Just 38% rate housing affordability positively and 47% say making local friends is easy.

For Germans, the UAE offers strong careers, safety, stability, and a polished, international base with easy travel. The trade-offs are the missing safety net, the heat, and unequal treatment across nationalities. It rewards ambitious professionals more than those seeking security or balance.

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 German members to move abroad, what keeps them there, and what they struggle with or miss about home.

Of course, expat living in the UAE is not just about shipping your belongings and filing in some bureaucratic papers. Regular socializing with fellow Germans is an essential part of expat life and helps getting accustomed to the Emirati way of life and mentality. InterNations helps you connect and meet up with other Germans in the UAE, residing in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharyah and many other places throughout the country. Just take a look at our group of Germans in Dubai or Germans in Abu Dhabi.

If you ever wish to have a chat in your native language, discover where to shop for German food or discuss your favorite sports team's latest match, become a member of the Emirati InterNations Community:

• Look up our top quality network to get to know open-minded expats from Germany in the UAE.
• Obtain and share insider tips in our the UAE Expat Forums – e.g. how to hire a babysitter fluent in your native tongue for your children or where to get roast pork with Knödel in Dubai.
• Search the InterNations Places database for the UAE to get information on institutions from your home country, including the German embassy.

From the tiny emirate of Ajman to the richest city in the world, we’ll help you connect with supportive and friendly German expats in the UAE.

Moreover, please feel free to attend our regular expat events and activities in the UAE. Our get-togethers are very diverse and range from a cozy gathering to enjoy the traditional Emirati shawarma, to big expat celebrations with hundreds of participants in Abu Dhabi’s best locations. You can also participate in one of our expat trips to go and see the beautiful wildlife conservations and sanctuaries of Ras Al Khaimah as well as other beautiful landmarks in the UAE.

Our meet-ups and activities are a great opportunity to mingle with expats from Germany and various other countries in a casual setting. Interested? Just sign up and you’ll soon be receiving a cordial Grüß Gott from our Germans living in the UAE!