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Moving to Saudi Arabia from the UK requires careful planning, from obtaining the right visa to understanding living costs and the healthcare system. Despite the vast cultural differences, Saudi Arabia offers many exciting opportunities to learn a new culture, a tax-free salary, and work opportunities. With the right preparation, life in Saudi Arabia can be rewarding and full of new challenges and opportunities.
Types of Visas:
The visa application process can be done via the Saudi Arabian Embassy or consulate in the UK before your move. You will need the required documents such as a valid passport, medical records, and other relevant certificates. See the Visit Saudi website for more information on entry rules and requirements.
| Size of Housing | Cost of Air Freight | Cost of Sea Freight |
| 1 Bedroom Flat | £8,500 – £9,400 | £4,500 – £5,000 |
| 3 Bedroom Flat | N/A | £6,900 – £7,600 |
| 5 Bedroom Flat | N/A | £10,300 – £11,400 |
*Disclaimer: These prices are estimates and can change based on distance, weight, and volume.
Factors that affect moving costs to Saudi Arabia:
Finding out the accurate volume of your move will help you acquire the best possible quotes for your move. Fill in our volume calculator below and receive an instant estimate:
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Saudi Arabia does not have individual tax income schemes in place. You will earn 100% of your income derived from Saudi Arabia.
If you spend more than 183 days of the year outside of the UK you will not need to pay any UK tax on your Saudi Arabian earnings. However, there are some other taxes you should be aware of:
| Expense | Cost in Saudi Arabia | Cost in the United Kingdom |
| Inexpensive meal at a restaurant | £ 5.21 | £ 15.00 |
| Cappuccino | £ 2.89 | £ 3.37 |
| 12 Eggs | £ 2.00 | £ 2.96 |
| Chicken (1kg) | £ 6.15 | £ 6.62 |
| Monthly bus pass | £ 27.27 | £ 70.00 |
| Gasoline (1l) | £ 0.48 | £ 1.45 |
| Rent for 1 bd apartment in the city center | £ 385.37 | £ 1,031.54 |
*Source: Numbeo
Life in Saudi Arabia is different for men and women due to the drastic cultural differences and heavy presence of Islamic traditions. This extends from regular day-to-day life to working environments.
The segregation of genders is possibly the biggest cultural shock. However, there are increasingly many adjustments in the rights of women and adjusting the cultural norms. For expatriates, adjusting to life in Saudi Arabia can be an exciting and fun journey, but it’s recommended to familiarize yourself thoroughly with the local laws and cultural norms.
Moving to Saudi Arabia for work is a great opportunity, but as a British citizen, you must obtain a work visa, and have sponsorship from a Saudi company to be eligible. The most promising industries in the country are oil and gas, engineering, IT, healthcare, finance, and education.
The best sites to find work for foreigners in Saudi Arabia:
The education system in Saudi Arabia is split into public and private schools. The public schools are free, however, they are tailored to Saudi students and are taught in Arabic.
Private international schools offering education equivalent to British and American systems offer foreigners the best education in Saudi Arabia. This way your children can continue their education seamlessly.
The healthcare in Saudi Arabia is well-developed, and many private hospitals and doctors speak English, making it easy for expats to communicate. If you are working in the country, your employer will still be obliged to pay 2% of your wage as a healthcare contribution.
Public healthcare in Saudi Arabia is free but it’s only for Saudi citizens. This means that foreigners must take an international or private insurance policy to be able to cover the medical expenses occurring during their stay.
The culture in Saudi Arabia is drastically different from what you might be used to in the UK. The culture is deeply rooted in Islam and Arab ways, having more conservative, traditional, and family-oriented approaches than the UK.
Cultural Norms:
Expat life in Saudi Arabia can be a great experience, and the country is home to a good amount of expats despite its different values and culture. However, some adaptations that can make expat life in Saudi Arabia more enjoyable:
Adapting to the ways of the country can make you more welcome and make it easier to integrate with locals and other expats. We encourage you to learn more about the culture and norms before your move.
We hope that this guide has provided you with enough information to make you feel confident and excited about moving to Saudi Arabia. If you are left with any questions, check out our FAQs and the relevant articles below!
