220/240 volts, 50Hz. UK-style three-pin sockets throughout. If you're arriving from the US or continental Europe, a UK adapter is what you need — available at any grocery shop or hypermarket for a few dirhams.
Electricity and water are supplied by DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority), the government utility. Setting up an account requires a tenancy contract and residence visa.
Tap water meets safety standards and is technically drinkable. Almost no one drinks it. Dubai's water is desalinated, which gives it a flat taste, and the pipes in many older buildings don't help. Bottled water is universal, cheap, and delivered to most homes on a subscription basis.
For cooking and brushing teeth, tap is fine. For drinking, most residents use bottled or filtered water.
Mains gas does not exist in most of Dubai. Kitchens run on LPG canisters connected via an outdoor valve — when your canister runs out, you call a supplier and a replacement arrives in 20–30 minutes, any time of day or night.
Newer apartment developments increasingly have piped gas infrastructure, but if you're moving into an older building, assume canisters.
Two providers: du and e& (formerly Etisalat, rebranded in 2022). Prepaid SIMs require only a passport and are available at the airport on arrival, in malls, and at most convenience stores. Postpaid plans require a residence visa.
VoIP calls — WhatsApp audio and video, FaceTime, Skype — are restricted in the UAE. Many residents use VPNs, which exist in a legal grey area; the law prohibits using a VPN for illegal activity, but the VPN itself is not explicitly banned. Expect your carrier to quietly block most VoIP without one.
Internet service comes through du or e&, typically as part of a broadband package. Coverage is generally good, though fibre availability varies by building and area — check with your provider before signing a lease if connection speed matters to you.
Some websites and services are restricted: VoIP as mentioned, content deemed politically or morally sensitive, and some gambling sites. All major streaming services — Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, Spotify — work without restriction.
There is no door-to-door postal delivery in the UAE. Mail goes to P.O. boxes at central post offices. If you're a long-term resident, renting a P.O. box at your local Empost branch is the standard approach.
For receiving packages, courier services are the practical solution: Aramex, DHL, and FedEx all operate throughout Dubai. Most e-commerce platforms — including Amazon.ae — ship directly to your address via their own logistics.
Carrefour (largest network), Spinneys, Waitrose (select locations), Lulu Hypermarket, and Viva cover most needs. Stock is broad — European, American, South Asian, and Middle Eastern products all have good representation. Prices are broadly comparable to Western Europe.
For fresh produce, the outdoor markets in Deira — particularly the fruit and vegetable souk — offer significantly better quality and price than supermarkets. The fish market at Al Ras is worth knowing about.
All major streaming platforms work in Dubai without a VPN. Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime, and others are accessible and widely used. Some content is geographically restricted or locally edited for regional standards.
OSN+ and beIN Sports are the main paid streaming services. OSN+ carries HBO/Max content and regional programming; beIN Sports is the go-to for football and major live sport. Both are app-based — satellite packages still exist but most households stream.
Non-Muslims can purchase alcohol from licensed off-licence retailers — MMI (Maritime and Mercantile International) and African + Eastern are the main chains. No licence is required; the UAE abolished the personal alcohol permit in 2023. A passport is sufficient.
Anyone — resident or visitor — can walk into an off-licence with a passport. Hotel bars, licensed restaurants, and a growing number of standalone bars are also available.