Dubai is a cosmopolitan city, attracting and welcoming people from different parts of the world. Amidst an estimated population of around 3,700,000, a rising German community has established itself, with an estimated population of 10,000 to 15,000 Germans living in Dubai. The German community mainly consists of entrepreneurs, working professionals and families that benefit from career opportunities, taxation advantages and the quality of life that Dubai offers.
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Business
Job opportunities in Dubai for Germans are vast, with many large German companies, such as Siemens, DHL and Bosch, having their own offices in Dubai. Most of the German professionals work in the fields of Finance, Construction, Healthcare and Education.
The business sector in Dubai has been thriving, with the presence of over 600 German companies in Dubai alone. Dubai continues to attract German businesses, with IFZA, Dubai’s free zone community, collaborating with the German Federal Association of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (BVMW) to strengthen the UAE-German ties.
Thanks to the strategic partnership agreement between the UAE and Germany, the relationship has strengthened the trade volumes between the 2 countries. As of 2024, trade volume between the 2 countries exceeded AED 13.5 billion, making the UAE the number 1 economic partner of Germany in the Middle East.
IFZA Chairman Martin G. Pedersen, left, receives a certificate of official partnership recognition from BVMW’s Hans-Josef Dollgen, Federal Senate for Economic Affairs
Tourism
Dubai has witnessed an exceptional tourism performance post-pandemic, marking it as the world’s number 1 city destination for the year 2023 according to the Top 100 City Destinations Index by Euromonitor International.
Total number of tourists for the year 2023 exceeded 17 million, with the German visitors representing approximately 2.94% ~ 504,210 visitors, making Germany one of the top 10 countries of visitors coming to Dubai.
Dr. Rene Hingst, the Marketing Communications Manager for the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) says that the motive for German tourists is sun and sand, ideally a classic beach holiday. Dubai has a multitude of touristic attractions that tend to attract Germans, including pet-friendly beach days at the Dubai Islands Beach as well as traditional abra rides along Dubai Creek.
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Restaurants
German restaurants and pubs are widespread across Dubai. In a city known for its diverse
dining options, German restaurants offer a unique taste of Europe, blending traditional
hearty dishes with modern twists.
1. Ernst Biergarten
Ernst is a traditional Bavarian Biergarten & Wirsthaus located in Trade Centre
Area, serving a variety of German beers on draught, and house-baked pretzels.
Average Cost for two: 85 euros.
2. Alphorn Restaurant
Located in Business Bay, this restaurant is open from breakfast to dinner. Alphorn
is a relaxed restaurant with a casual and contemporary atmosphere.
Average Cost for two: 109 euros
3. Munich Finest Bakery
Located in Dubai Investment Park, this artesian bakery with all the goodies from Germany, Austria, Swiss, France for you, are fresh-baked with love and passion.