Moving from Amsterdam to Dubai, without the guesswork

The 90-day timeline

Run it backwards from the flight date. Every task here comes from a move we actually did, not a template.

1. Days 0 to 30

   Decide and file

   • Pick the visa route: employment, freelance permit (from AED 7,500 per year in 2026), golden visa or company setup.
   • Apostille diplomas, birth and marriage certificates at the court: two weeks, so start here.
   • Get sea freight quotes. Ten boxes Amsterdam to Jebel Ali run EUR 600 to 900 door to door, 4 to 6 weeks in transit.
   • Scan every document you own into one folder; you will upload each of them at least twice.

2. Days 30 to 60

   Cut the ties at home

   • Give notice on your rental or set the sale in motion.
   • Book the one-way flight and line up UAE health insurance from landing day; Dutch basisverzekering stops the day you deregister.
   • Deregister at the gemeente within 5 days of departure and file the M-form with the Belastingdienst.
   • Sell or export the car, freeze or port the pension.

3. Days 60 to 90

   Land and activate

   • Entry stamp, visa medical and biometrics inside the first week.
   • Emirates ID lands in 2 to 4 weeks; open a bank account with the application receipt (see the banking guide below).
   • Rent with 1 to 4 cheques, register Ejari, connect DEWA.
   • Swap the Dutch driving licence: direct exchange, no test, about AED 900 in 2026.