Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to Portugal
Currency:
| Food | + 20% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 20% more expensive than in Portugal | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Portugal | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 45 (€11) | €11 | - 2% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 34 (€9) | €8 | + 7% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 18 (€4.54) | €3.40 | + 33% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 (€1.63) | €0.94 | + 73% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 13 (€3.29) | €3.12 | + 6% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.90 (€1.47) | €1.94 | - 24% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 18 (€4.49) | €5.02 | - 11% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 (€2.30) | €1.91 | + 20% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.45 (€1.11) | €1.40 | - 21% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 10 (€2.38) | €1.02 | + 134% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 61 (€15) | €5.25 | + 189% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (€2.00) | €2.17 | - 8% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 5.05 (€1.26) | €0.93 | + 35% | |
| Housing | + 120% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 120% more expensive than in Portugal | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Portugal | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 13,959 (€3,480) | €1,470 | + 137% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 9,141 (€2,279) | €969 | + 135% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 763 (€190) | €113 | + 69% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 8,118 (€2,024) | €958 | + 111% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 5,265 (€1,313) | €703 | + 87% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 537 (€134) | €85 | + 58% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 330 (€82) | €23 | + 266% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 748 (€187) | €329 | - 43% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 353 (€88) | €123 | - 28% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 33 (€8) | €6 | + 28% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 30 (€8) | €10 | - 24% | |
| Clothes | + 18% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 18% more expensive than in Portugal | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Portugal | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 258 (€64) | €84 | - 23% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 217 (€54) | €31 | + 77% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 405 (€101) | €87 | + 16% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 412 (€103) | €90 | + 14% | |
| Transportation | + 31% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 31% more expensive than in Portugal | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Portugal | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 94,353 (€23,521) | €25,098 | - 6% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.93 (€0.73) | €1.72 | - 58% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 276 (€69) | €36 | + 91% | |
| Personal Care | + 61% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 61% more expensive than in Portugal | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Portugal | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 22 (€5.52) | €5.35 | + 3% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 83 (€21) | €4.81 | + 329% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 383 (€95) | €65 | + 48% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 24 (€6) | €3.00 | + 101% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 21 (€5.19) | €3.35 | + 55% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 20 (€4.99) | €3.64 | + 37% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 10 (€2.42) | €1.62 | + 49% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 11 (€2.78) | €2.05 | + 35% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 39 (€10) | €14 | - 31% | |
| Entertainment | + 55% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 55% more expensive than in Portugal | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Portugal | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 151 (€38) | €32 | + 18% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 97 (€24) | €13 | + 91% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 600 (€150) | €55 | + 174% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 277 (€69) | €44 | + 55% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 78 (€19) | €7 | + 161% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 22 (€5.44) | €2.67 | + 104% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 (€11) | €2.08 | + 433% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,708 (€426) | €434 | - 2% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.60 (€0.15) | €0.16 | - 9% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 322 (€80) | €37 | + 118% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 21 (€5.29) | €5.40 | - 2% | |
| TOTAL | + 59% | |||
These prices were last updated on March 17, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.24929
EUR
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,182 prices entered by 389 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 59% more expensive than in Portugal
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