Settling In

Phone service, groceries, deliveries and essential Dubai apps.

How to arrange a UAE mobile number when you arrive.

Virgin Mobile, du and Etisalat have stores and kiosks throughout Dubai’s malls where you can arrange a UAE SIM. Pay-as-you-go service is available, but monthly, three-month, six-month and twelve-month contracts are generally more cost-effective and may include additional discounts.

Supermarkets, local produce shops and online delivery options.

Supermarkets Worth Knowing

Spinneys: a premium option with fresh produce, deli items and Western brands.
Waitrose: familiar Western products and strong quality at a higher price.
LuLu Hypermarket: good value, bulk buying and a wide Asian and South Asian range.
Géant: supermarkets and hypermarkets across the UAE, including Dubai Hills Mall.
Choithrams: convenient smaller neighbourhood stores.

Fresh Produce

Local fruit and vegetable shops, often referred to as markets or grocers, are common in residential areas and can be significantly cheaper than supermarkets.

Online Grocery Delivery

Carrefour app: delivery to your door, often within an hour.
Noon Daily: regular grocery delivery subscriptions.
Talabat Mart: essentials in approximately 15–30 minutes, with late-night delivery available.

A practical directory for government services, transport, home, food, health, money, shopping and work.

Government and ID

UAE PASS — your digital identity for UAE government services, document signing and identity verification. Download this first.
UAEICP — track your Emirates ID and residency visa status.

Getting Around

Careem — taxis, bikes and deliveries.
RTA app — public transport journeys, NOL top-ups and parking payments.
Parking Dubai (PID) — pay for parking without coins.

Home and Living

DEWA — set up and manage electricity and water.
Ejari — register your tenancy contract.
Dubizzle — buy, sell or rent furniture, cars and apartments.
Justlife — book cleaning, maintenance and handyman services.

Food and Delivery

Talabat — restaurant delivery across the UAE.
Deliveroo — broad restaurant range and fast delivery.
Carrefour — grocery delivery, often within 60 minutes.
Noon Daily — grocery subscriptions and essentials.
InstaShop — grocery delivery from nearby supermarkets.

Health and Wellbeing

GlobeMed FIT — access Kamani Living health insurance, appointments, claims and approved clinics.

Health insuranceGlobeMed FITFind official UAE setup guidance for the member app.

Banking and Money

Your bank’s app — set up mobile access as soon as your account opens.
Al Ansari Exchange — widely used for money transfers and currency exchange.

Money servicesAl Ansari ExchangeAccess transfers, exchange and payment services.

Shopping

Noon — broad product range and fast UAE delivery.
Amazon.ae — Amazon’s established UAE marketplace.
SHEIN, H&M and Zara apps — shop for delivery across Dubai.
The Entertainer — buy-one-get-one-free offers at restaurants, spas and attractions.

Work

Property Finder — browse listings, pricing and market trends.
PF Expert — professional listing, market data and lead performance tools for agents.
Bayut — a major UAE property portal used by clients.
Profolio — portfolio, transaction and commission tracking.
Property Monitor — real-time transaction, pricing and area performance data.
GenieMap — Dubai master plans, community layouts and development zones.
Dubai REST — official Dubai Land Department ownership, title deed and transaction services.
HR Connect — employment details, labour rights and employment record updates.

Phone and SIM

Food and Groceries

Essential Apps