Retirees moving to less expensive emirates to cut costs: Experts

With more people choosing to make the UAE their home after retirement, many clear trends are emerging on how retirees are choosing to spend their days in the country.

- Nasreen Abdulla [e-mail]

While some move to smaller, less expensive emirates of the UAE, others adopt what is called a transnational pattern of retirement where they travel regularly between their home country and the UAE.

According to social policy lecturer at the University of Edinburgh Dr Idil Akinci, taking advantage of new visa rules and internal relocation are two commonly seen patterns among retirees in the country.

“The ability for adult children working in the UAE to sponsor their ageing parents has made it possible for some retirees to prolong their stay,” she said.

“Similarly, the introduction of long-term residency options like the Golden Visa has played a key role. Another approach is financial planning through internal relocation. Some families are choosing to move to other emirates where the cost of living is lower than in Dubai, allowing them to better manage savings and day-to-day expenses in retirement.”