Skip to main content
MumExpat home

City guide

Dubai

United Arab Emirates

Dubai attracts more and more French-speaking families: sunshine, safety, light taxation and a huge private school offering. The key to a smooth landing: quickly understanding how schools and health insurance work.

Currency
Dirham (AED)
Languages
Arabic (English covers daily life)
Time vs Paris
2 to 3h ahead
Emergencies
998 (ambulance), 999 (police)

FIAFE network

The Accueil for French-speaking families

In each city, a volunteer-run association from the FIAFE network welcomes, informs and helps French-speaking families settling in.

French Social Club, Accueil à Dubaï

Since 2016

The French Social Club is the FIAFE Accueil in Dubai: it welcomes French-speaking families with newcomer coffee mornings, cultural outings and a precious support network for the first months in the Emirates.

Where to meet them

Drop-in session on Monday mornings at the Alliance française in Dubai (Oud Metha), outside French school holidays.

Visit the association's website See the FIAFE page

What they offer

  • Welcome coffee mornings for newcomers
  • Cultural outings in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
  • Practical guide and members newsletter
  • Networking events for francophones

Other support networks

Two large national networks also support the French abroad, each with its local chapter.

  • UFE

    UFE Dubaï (French Community Club)

    The Dubai UFE chapter operates through the French Community Club, created in 2017 to comply with local law: social events, a mutual-aid network and a link with France for expats in the Emirates.

    Visit the website Email the chapter
  • Français du monde – ADFE

    Français du monde – ADFE Dubaï et Émirats du Nord

    The local Français du monde - ADFE section supports French residents of Dubai and the Northern Emirates with their paperwork and represents their interests with the consular authorities.

    Email the chapter

The French business network

The local French chamber of commerce (CCI France International network) is a real asset for work: networking, job offers and help to restart a career or start a business locally.

CCI France International

CCI France UAE

The largest French business community in the Middle East, with over 800 members: a real network to meet people, find a job through the jobboard, attend networking events and get a partner's career going in Dubai.

Visit the website CCI country page

The online community

The Facebook groups to join

Before you even land in Dubai, Facebook groups are the best shortcut: ask your questions, find a flat, a nanny, a second-hand stroller, and often your first friends.

  • 🔥 Very active Public In English

    DUBAI EXPATS

    👥 172,000 members · ≈ 107 posts/week

    View the group
  • 🔥 Very active Public In English

    Used Furniture Buy & Sell In Dubai

    👥 133,900 members · ≈ 2,333 posts/week

    View the group
  • 🔒 Private In English

    Dubai Expat Community (by Katie Jones)

    👥 113,100 members · ≈ 64 posts/week

    View the group
  • Public In French

    Dubaï Entraide Francophone

    👥 94,100 members · ≈ 14 posts/week

    View the group
  • 🔒 Private In English

    Dubai Expats

    👥 78,400 members · ≈ 13 posts/week

    View the group
  • 🔥 Very active 🔒 Private In French

    Français à Dubai (entraide, bons plans, partage, adresses...)

    👥 77,800 members · ≈ 190 posts/week

    View the group
  • 🔒 Private In French

    Les frenchy de Dubaï

    👥 71,500 members · ≈ 18 posts/week

    View the group
  • 🔒 Private In French

    Les Français à Dubai Expat, Activités, Entreprise, Location, Immo, Séjours

    👥 70,100 members · ≈ 39 posts/week

    View the group
  • 🔥 Very active Public In English

    Nannies and Maids in Dubai

    👥 57,700 members · ≈ 390 posts/week

    View the group
  • 🔥 Very active 🔒 Private In French

    Les Nouveaux Aventuriers - Dubai (French Connection)

    👥 55,300 members · ≈ 88 posts/week

    View the group
  • 🔥 Very active Public In English

    Dubai Mums Club

    👥 44,300 members · ≈ 88 posts/week

    View the group
  • Public In English

    British || American || European || Expats In Dubai

    👥 43,300 members · ≈ 4 posts/week

    View the group
💬 Explore the full group directory

Compiled from Facebook's public search, links checked in July 2026. Group sizes change all the time.

AEFE network

Accredited French schools

Schools accredited by the French Ministry of Education follow the French curriculum: your child can continue their schooling seamlessly, abroad and back in France.

💰 Compare school fees

Source: official AEFE directory, verified June 2026. aefe.gouv.fr

Tutoring and private lessons

To support your children's schooling across two systems, two solutions designed for expat families.

  • Axiom Academic

    Private lessons and tutoring for expat families: French curriculum, IB and British curriculum, at home or online, with teachers who know the schools in your city.

    Discover Axiom Academic

  • IB Tutor

    Tutors specialised in the International Baccalaureate: online lessons in every IB subject, to aim for top grades from MYP to the diploma.

    Discover IB Tutor

Schools and education

All schooling is private here. The francophone network is solid, notably the Lycée Français International Georges Pompidou, and the international offering is among the widest in the world.

Good to know

  • Every private school is rated by the local regulator (KHDA): reports are public and useful for comparing.
  • Fees vary enormously between schools: set a range before you start visiting.
  • Apply early in the year for September; some francophone schools have waiting lists.
  • The weekend is Saturday-Sunday and the school week starts on Monday, as in France.

Children's healthcare

Health insurance is mandatory and tied to your residence visa. Once covered, private care is excellent and French-speaking paediatricians are easy to find.

Good to know

  • The sponsoring employer must insure the employee; check what the policy covers for spouse and children.
  • Private clinics and hospitals offer fast appointments, often same-day for paediatrics.
  • French-speaking paediatricians and doctors practise in most large medical centres.
  • In summer (June to September) the heat pushes everything indoors: plan ahead for little ones.

French-speaking community

The French community in Dubai is growing fast and organises by neighbourhood: Marina, JLT, Jumeirah, Mirdif... each has its groups, cafés and tips.

Good to know

  • The Facebook groups of French residents in Dubai are among the most active in the expat world.
  • The French Social Club, the city's FIAFE Accueil, runs meetups, workshops and events for newcomers.
  • The Alliance française offers a library and cultural activities in French for children.
  • Neighbourhood choice changes everything: test the school-home-work commute before signing a lease.

Family outings and events

From October to April, life happens outside: beaches, parks, festivals. The rest of the year, the city moves into its malls, designed like theme parks.

Good to know

  • Public beaches, shaded parks and cycle paths: the cool season is one big playground.
  • Malls are not just shopping: aquarium, ice rink, cinemas and giant play areas.
  • During Ramadan, daily rhythms change (hours, daytime dining): a special time to experience as a family, with a little preparation.
  • Schools and clubs run summer camps to fill the long weeks from June to August.

These landmarks change fast: the MumExpat community will keep them up to date.

The arrival reflex

The apps to download when you land

Drop your bags, download these and you're set: the apps everyone in Dubai uses to get around, get things delivered and organise daily life.

Getting around

Food delivery

Groceries

Everyday life

  • UAE PASS

    The Emirates' official digital identity, needed for almost every admin step: visa, banking, utilities, school. Activate it as soon as you land.

    App Store Google Play

  • DubaiNow

    The city's one-stop counter: pay your DEWA bills, Salik and fines, track your paperwork, all from a single app.

    App Store Google Play

  • The Entertainer

    Dubai's cult deals app: two-for-one offers on restaurants, activities and days out that quickly pay back the subscription.

    App Store Google Play

Coming soon: the full Dubai guide.

Verified addresses, paediatricians recommended by mums, a family agenda updated every week. Join the waitlist to discover the Dubai page first.

Explore other cities