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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

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.

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.

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