Moving cost in Dubai and the UAE (2026): apartments and villas
Moving cost in Dubai and the UAE for 2026: typical mover prices by apartment and villa size, building fees and DEWA steps, and how to keep quotes honest.
Updated 2 min read
Your moving cost in Dubai depends on the size of your home, whether you want packing, and when you move. Here are the prices published for 2026, the fees movers don't include, and what to arrange with your building and DEWA.
Typical prices for a local move
Published 2026 guides broadly agree on these ranges within Dubai:
| Home | Typical price |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment | about AED 800 to AED 1,600 |
| 2-bedroom apartment | about AED 1,200 to AED 2,800 |
| 3-bedroom villa | about AED 2,500 to AED 5,000 or more |
These come from Real Estate Club Dubai, fäm Properties and ServiceMarket, not quotes. Larger villas, long carries and full packing cost more. Moves between emirates are quoted separately.
Fees movers don't include
- Building move permit: many towers and communities charge a fee and ask you to book the service lift. One 2026 guide puts this at about AED 100 to AED 250.
- Refundable lift deposit: often AED 500 to AED 2,000, per the same guide.
- DEWA deposit and connection fees at the new home (see below).
What adds to the price
- Packing and materials: the biggest lever; it can add hundreds to thousands of dirhams.
- Dismantling and reassembly: beds, wardrobes, and wall-mounted TVs.
- Season and timing: one 2026 guide names June to August as peak season, with surcharges of 15 to 25%. Mid-month, midweek moves tend to be cheaper.
- Access: parking distance, floor level and lift bookings.
Electricity and water (DEWA)
- Moving in: once your tenancy is registered with Ejari, DEWA opens your account automatically and sends a payment link for the security deposit and connection fees.
- Moving within Dubai: DEWA's Move-to service closes the old account and opens the new one in one step.
- Moving out: request deactivation online and settle your final bill to get your deposit back.
Keep quotes honest
Ask for a written, itemised quote after a survey (in person or by video), listing packing, materials, dismantling and insurance. A very low price over chat that rises once your furniture is on the truck is a common complaint.
Get up to 3 moving quotes
Describe your move once and up to 3 vetted movers who cover your area contact you with quotes. Start on our movers page, or with movers in Dubai Marina or JVC.
Frequently asked questions
How much do movers cost in Dubai?
Published 2026 guides put a local move at roughly AED 800 to AED 1,600 for a one-bedroom apartment, AED 1,200 to AED 2,800 for a two-bedroom, and AED 2,500 to AED 5,000 or more for a three-bedroom villa. Packing, peak season and long carries add to it.
What fees aren't in the movers' quote?
Many towers charge a move permit fee and a refundable lift deposit, which one 2026 guide puts at about AED 100 to AED 250 plus AED 500 to AED 2,000. Your DEWA security deposit and connection fees are separate too.
How do I set up electricity and water when I move?
In Dubai, DEWA opens your account automatically once your tenancy is registered with Ejari; you then pay the security deposit and connection fees. Moving within Dubai, DEWA's Move-to service closes the old account and opens the new one in one step.
When is the cheapest time to move?
Mid-month, midweek moves tend to get softer quotes. One 2026 guide notes summer (June to August) as peak season, with surcharges of 15 to 25%.
Sources
- Real Estate Club Dubai: local moving costs in Dubai (2026)
- fäm Properties: how much it costs to move locally in Dubai
- ServiceMarket: how much local moving costs in Dubai
- DEWA: activation of electricity and water (move-in)
- DEWA: transfer of electricity and water (move-to)
Facts checked against these sources on 20 October 2026. Rules and prices change, so confirm with the source or provider before you rely on them.