What a move in the UAE costs
Mover quotes in the UAE depend on volume, distance, floor, lift access and packing. As of October 2026, typical household prices in Dubai are as follows; in the other emirates prices are often similar or somewhat lower. A studio or one-bedroom flat in the same area costs AED 400 to 1,200. A two-bedroom flat costs AED 800 to 2,000. A two-bedroom villa costs AED 1,500 to 3,500 and a three- or four-bedroom villa AED 2,500 to 6,000.
Packing materials and labour add AED 300 to 1,200. Storage costs AED 150 to 600 a month for a small unit. Moves between emirates, such as Dubai to Abu Dhabi or Sharjah to Ajman, add a distance charge.
Prices peak at the end of the month, at the end of June and July and around the school year, when many leases end together. Booking mid-month and mid-week can save 10 to 20 percent.
Eight weeks before: tenancy and notice
Read your tenancy contract for the notice period. Each emirate has its own rental rules. Under the Dubai rental framework, for example, a landlord who wants to raise the rent or not renew must give notice 90 days before expiry, and tenants usually follow the notice terms in the contract. Send your notice in writing, by email and by the channel the contract names. In the other emirates, check the local rental law for the notice periods that apply.
Book a snagging check with the landlord or agent for the last week. Photograph each room, the walls, the floors, the appliances and the AC. The landlord can deduct the cost of damage beyond normal wear from your security deposit. The deposit is commonly set at around 5 percent of the annual rent for an unfurnished unit, but the amount is whatever your tenancy contract says.
If you break a lease early, check the contract for an early termination fee. Many UAE leases set it at one or two months' rent.
Four weeks before: book the mover and the building
Ask three companies for quotes after a video survey or a visit. A price over the phone from a list of items is a guess. The quote should show the vehicles, the number of workers, packing, dismantling and reassembly of furniture, insurance and the time window.
Book the lift and the loading bay with the building management at both addresses. Most towers and communities require a move-in and move-out permit and a refundable deposit, typically AED 500 to 2,000, and restrict moving hours to daytime on working days. Without the permit the security guard can turn the truck away.
Check the mover's trade licence with our guide to verifying a trade licence, and ask whether its trucks are registered for goods transport.
Utilities, tenancy registration and addresses
Work through this list in the two weeks around the move. The names below are the Dubai ones; in Abu Dhabi the tenancy is registered in Tawtheeq, and each emirate has its own electricity and water utility.
- Ejari (Dubai). Register the new tenancy contract in Ejari; you need it for DEWA and for visa and bank processes.
- DEWA (Dubai). Request a final bill and disconnection at the old address and a new connection at the new one with the Ejari number and Emirates ID. The tenant deposit is currently AED 2,000 for an apartment and AED 4,000 for a villa.
- District cooling or gas. Close or transfer the account with the provider, such as Empower in Dubai or the gas supplier.
- Internet and TV. Ask etisalat by e& or du to relocate the service a week ahead.
- Emirates ID and visa. Update the address through the ICP app.
- Vehicle. Update the address on the vehicle registration with the RTA in Dubai or your emirate's traffic authority.
- Bank, employer and school. Tell them the new address.
Keep the final utility bill and the closure confirmations. Landlords often ask for them before returning the deposit.
Moving day
Be at the old address for the loading with a copy of the quote and the building permit. Walk through each room with the supervisor and agree on an inventory of boxes and furniture. Photograph valuable and fragile items before they are wrapped.
Keep documents, jewellery, laptops, medicines and a first-night bag with you, not in the truck. Label boxes by room at the destination.
At the new address, check each item against the inventory before the crew leaves, and note damage on the delivery sheet. Claims made in writing on the day are far easier than claims made two weeks later.
Getting your deposit back
Leave the property clean, with walls free of nail holes beyond ordinary wear, AC serviced if your contract requires it and all keys and access cards returned. A move-out clean costs AED 400 to 1,200 and often pays for itself.
Attend the final inspection with the landlord or agent and compare it with your move-in photos. Ask for a written list of any deductions and the reason for each. Normal wear and tear is not a ground for deduction.
If the landlord does not return the deposit, send a written demand with a deadline, usually 14 days. A rental claim can be filed at the rental dispute body of your emirate (in Dubai, the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre), and the dispute is decided on the tenancy contract and the evidence.
Red flags with movers
Be wary of a mover who quotes a price by phone without asking what you own, who asks for a large deposit by transfer to a personal account, or who arrives with a different truck and crew from those you booked.
Ask to see the company's licence and insurance. Ask what cover applies to damage in transit, in writing. A deposit above 20 to 30 percent before the move is a risk.
If goods are held or items are missing, ask the company to resolve the matter in writing. If not, report it to the police (in Dubai, on 901), and file a complaint with the consumer protection section of the emirate's economic department (DET in Dubai, ADDED in Abu Dhabi, SEDD in Sharjah).
Any AED amounts in this guide are typical ranges for Dubai as of October 2026; prices in other emirates are often similar or lower. They are not quotes and not offers: real prices depend on the job, the company and the date, so ask for written quotes.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to move a two-bedroom villa in the UAE?
Typically AED 1,500 to 3,500 within Dubai in 2026, depending on volume, distance and packing. Moves within the other emirates are often similar or somewhat lower. Quotes after a video survey are more reliable than phone estimates.
How much notice must I give my landlord?
Follow the notice clause in your tenancy contract. Landlords in Dubai must give 90 days' written notice before expiry to raise the rent or not renew; the other emirates set their own notice rules. Send yours in writing and keep proof.
Do I need a permit to move in a UAE tower?
Most buildings require a move-in or move-out permit from the management, with a refundable deposit of roughly AED 500 to 2,000. Book it with the lift at least a week ahead.
Is moving insurance included in the quote?
Basic cover may be included but with low limits. Ask the company to state in writing what it covers per item and in total, and consider separate cover for valuables.
