Top 5 Myths About Dubai – What’s True and What’s Fiction?


There are many legends and rumors about such an amazing metropolis as Dubai. Some of these speculations may even make travelers change their minds about visiting this beautiful city. To prevent this from happening, in this article we will dispel the top 5 popular myths about Dubai. We will tell you which of these beliefs are true and which are false.

Myth 1. Dubai is the most expensive city in the world

In fact, Dubai doesn't even make the top 30 most expensive cities in the world. The top three are New York, Singapore, and Tel Aviv. Also in the top ten are Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Zurich, Geneva, San Francisco, Paris, Copenhagen, and Sydney.

Many also believe that Dubai has the most expensive housing, but this is also a myth. In fact, Dubai has a large selection of real estate for any budget. The cost depends on the area, stage of construction and type of housing. The same is true for prices for entertainment and food. Here you can find both exorbitant prices and quite affordable options.

Myth 2: Non-residents cannot purchase property in Dubai

Dubai is divided into leasehold and freehold zones. In the leasehold zone, non-residents cannot actually purchase real estate, but only on a long-term lease for 99 years. But leasehold zones are located mainly in the old areas of the city, which are of little interest to visitors.

In freehold zones, non-residents can easily purchase housing. Most of Dubai is freehold. Therefore, there are no problems with the purchase of property by non-residents in Dubai.

Myth 3. You can't have pets in Dubai

All residential complexes in Dubai are divided into 2 categories for the comfort of their residents: with and without the Pets friendly status. If the complex has the Pets friendly status, it means that residents can have pets. If you do not plan to take care of a pet or do not want to meet them in the yard, for example, because of allergies, then houses without the Pets friendly status will suit you. The presence of this status is an important detail that is worth paying attention to when choosing housing in Dubai.

Myth 4. Dubai has very high taxes on literally everything

Perhaps this myth arose because Dubai has a tourist tax for staying in the country (15 AED per day per person). This tax is paid only by those who do not have a residence permit.

But in fact, the myth of high taxes is very far from reality. Taxes in Dubai are much lower than in many countries of the world, including Russia. For example, VAT is only 5% here, and previously it did not exist at all. When purchasing real estate, you pay only 4% once and nothing more. There are also no taxes on salaries, profits and dividends. And if you do business in an economic “free zone”, then regardless of the amount of income, your tax will be fixed - only the license fee.

Myth 5: Dubai is only thriving because of oil production

We have all heard about how Dubai was a poor fishing village a few decades ago, but everything changed when oil began to be extracted here. In fact, the secret of Dubai's prosperity is not only in oil production, but also in how the government managed the income received. Wise sheikhs invested money in the development of their region - they built roads, skyscrapers, airports, attractions. As a result, income from oil sales provides only 20% of the budget, the rest is covered by income from trade, manufacturing, services and tourism.