I’ve been getting asked a lot about how much things cost here or what is/isn’t a good salary or something like ‘I’ve been offered a position paying xxx amount, will this be enough to live on in Qatar?’, etc so I thought I’d try and address the cost of living in this post.
Of course, all situations will be different, a family of four’s needs will not be the same as those of a singleton, and what people decided to spend their money on varies greatly, but I can try to make some generalisations.
Firstly, rent will probably form the bulk of your monthly expenditure, and rents are very high in Qatar. Even coming from London, I found the price of accommodation extremely expensive for what was on offer. Where I live, which is one of the more pricey areas, a studio apartment costs between 8000-9500 QAR/month, a 1 bed apartment between 10,000-12,000 QAR/month, a 2 bed apartment about 14,000 QAR/month and a 3 bed apartment about 16,000 QAR/month. There are also villas (with or without private beaches) in my complex but I have no idea how much they cost….I can guarantee they are very expensive.
Apartments in other areas of Doha, like West Bay are comparable in price whereas apartments in Al Saad are cheaper, like 7,000-10,000 QAR/month for a 2 bed. Villas are bigger (and probably better for families) and usually come with a minimum of 3 bedrooms. Depending on the area and the facilities in the complex (pool, gym, tennis courts, shop, dry cleaners, etc), a 3-4 bedroom villa will cost on average between 12,000-20,000 QAR/month.
After accommodation, buying a car or paying for children’s schooling will probably be the next biggest expense. New cars cost as much as they would in your home country but lots of very good deals can be found on used vehicles; gas/petrol is very cheap in Qatar. As far as schools go, with very few exceptions, all are private and have fees. These can range from 15,000-50,000 QAR/year depending on the school and grade level (I’ve just gotten this info from a quick internet search, I don’t have 1st hand knowledge of schools and fees).
After all this you have bills and most other things which can be filed in the ‘personal’ category like gym/club memberships, eating out, cable/phone subscriptions. I find food to be very expensive here, my shopping bill seems to be twice as much as it was in the UK, and I’m not being particularly extravagant. The same goes for alcohol, drinks are about double what they would be in the average London pub.
I find Qatar to be on the expensive side, generally, in all categories. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t find deals here and there, you just need to know where to look…and that comes with experience, word of mouth, and getting to know the place over time.
An up to date, extended cost of living structure can be found here.
Hi Alexandria,
I have heard some unpleasant stories about employers not allowing people to leave Qatar after their employment contract is up. Also if you leave before your contract is up, is it true that you have to pay back taxes and do you need an exit visa from your employer if you are going on holidays or is the exit visa only needed for work related travel?
Thanks!
M
Hi,
I’m pretty sure that once your employment contract is up, your Residence Permit is no longer valid as it’s your employer who’s sponsoring you. I have never heard of an employer not allowing an employee to leave Qatar. And there are no taxes in Qatar so you would never have to pay any back. Often employers will take a sum of a few thousand riyals from an employee once their contract is up and hold it for a few months after they leave the country as collateral for any debt/unpaid bills etc. If you don’t have any debt or unpaid bills you won’t have anything to worry about.
Exit visas are needed everytime you leave the country, regardless if it’s for business or pleasure. Exit visas can either be given in single cases or as a multiple exit, which is unlimited and lasts a year. It is in my contract that my employer handles this for me but I think individuals can also obtain their own exit visas.
A.
Hello Anexandria,
Again thanks for getting back to me on my queries. Do you know of any good resources for employment contracts in Qatar…I want to make sure that I have all aspects covered on mine?
Thanks!
M
Mary,
What do you mean by resources for employment contracts? If you have questions about your employment contract then I would speak to your employer directly.
A.
i’m looking for a job in qatar
Good luck.
ill be working in qatar this month..do i nedd to bring pocket money and how much? is 1200 qar enough for a salary?
Hi,
I think common sense should reign in this situation; if you need to pay for things on your own then you should bring pocket money however if you will be travelling with someone who will be paying for everything for you then don’t bring pocket money. Bring as much as you plan on spending.
Whether or not a salary of 1200QAR will be enough will depend on the allowances included. If housing and transport are provided, then that will make the 1200QAR more appealing.
A.
If you don’t mind me asking, where di you look to find jobs in Qatar? Did you find it internally whilst studying in London or did you find it advertised on a website somewhere? I have just received my degree and am now using Job’s Today’s graduate section to keep an eye on what jobs are available in London. Does anyone have any recommendations on graduate jobs in Qatar or shall I go continue using my uni’s resources to look. I can’t help but think there must be a better way.
I got my job here through contacts that I had in London.
I wrote a ‘Looking for Work in Qatar’ type post a while ago so you can check that out while you continue to use your university’s resources. Sometimes jobs in Qatar come up on this website as well, or you could try looking directly at the sector/institution in Qatar that you’d like to work for and see if they have any openings.
Good luck,
A.
Alex, what will be the cost of living in qatar for family with a 2 yr kid. i am looking to get a job in engineering side so i need to know more details how much i can iexpect and what can i save? can you please provide more details.
with the details of cost of living
for rent, food expenses, phone/internet, electricity/water, local transportation, misl.
Please have a look at the above post to get an idea of the cost of living in Qatar.
A
Hi
I have a question: i am from belgium i have very good job as freelance consultant in IT sector. I just receive an offer for job in Qater: 10.000 $ a month + kid school fees + 15000 $ for house forniture + bonus not specified + a loan up to 40000 with 0% interest + health ensurance. is this enougth for a family with 2 kids 4 years olds each? is this enougth to have good house in good area
Please go through the above post and try to work out your monthly expenditure; I wrote it with the intention of answering questions like yours. I don’t know what you will be spending your money on; all areas of Doha are good areas.
A.
and to make some saving and to have easy life. for information i have a beter than this in Belgium as freelancer, in qater it is a permanant position in a bank. what you think? is it easy to change employer if you get better offer?
If you have a better life in Belgium then I wonder why you want to move to Doha?
Most reputable employers do not have problems with giving ‘no objection letters’ to former employees in order for them to change companies.
A.
What do you think of the below:
6000-8000 QAR per month(tax free) + Single/Family Status + Accommodation + Travel + Child education assistance + Insurance
Sounds great.
A.
hello Alexandria,
Im from Philippines,i will be working in Qatar in a month,my salary offer was 1000 QAR as cleaner,
and 250 food allowance free accomodation and transportation.is it good enough or maybe some establishement giving overtime pay and some tips for cleaner?
Personally, I do not think that salary is enough but go through the post above an work out what your monthly expenditures will be.
A.
Good day,
I have five years working permit to Qater but is cable visa can i start work there immediately or do i need to apply for another visa.
I’m sorry but I don’t know what a cable visa is.
A.
Firstly,I want to say thanks for this educating message you try to pass across to help people and I say more power to your elbow.I am an Economics graduate from a university in Nigeria.And have been given a 5years working permit fto work in qatar.I have surfed the web a lot and have read a lot of disturbing stories about working in qatar and all sorts.1stly,I want to say what advice can you give on this and will $1,000 permonth be enough for me alone to live in qatar and still be able to have savings.Thanks once again and I would appreciate it if I can get a quick responce…
Why havnt I gotten a reply to my questions and the person after me has gotten his?,and it just keeps saying my comment is awaiting moderation for over a month now?.That isn’t fair aiit
Yeah, life isn’t fair.
A.
Please read the above post and look at the links, I wrote it with the intention of helping people figure out what they would have to spend their money on.
I wonder what kind of disturbing stories you have read, don’t believe everything you read on the internet…
A.
And is it possible that without the expiration of ones working contract with the employer,can one travel from qatar to another country which is not the country one originally came frm?.For Example,I came to qatar frm germany and then want to go to canada from qatar..
Hi, i get a job offer: about 12000rials/month (tax free) Car+house+medical insurance+child kindergarden or school and one trip home are paid by the company. Is this money enough for living good in doha? We are a couple with a baby. What about food and other expenses? What is nice salary for a small family in qatar?
hi, i am a dentist in INDIA .doing practice from last 6 years ,i want to do job in saudi .i have B.D.S.DEGREE from recoznized university in INDIA. IS INDIAN DEGREE ACCEPTED IN SAUDI FOR A JOB OF DENTIST?
This is a blog about jobs in QATAR so I cannot comment on jobs in SAUDI.
A.
Some great Info there Alexandria – Many thanks
You’re welcome!
A.
Alexandria
I have a full offer in writing to relocate to Qatar which I am considering at present. I am based th UK and work in Property .Overall Package in 30 QAR per month plus 10QAR on arrival.
I am moving on signal status basis, I would be interested to here your thoughts on how comfortable a life I would have i.e. Property, Car and most important savings contribution. Also a rent on the rise over there?
Hiya Alexandra
I hope I’m not asking you to repeat anything covered previously!
I have been looking at a teaching job. Salary not clearly stated in ad but these are the things included:
Tax-Free salary / Fully Furnished Accommodation including utilities / Air Ticket / Medical coverage / Professional Development / Shipping allowance of 1200QR / Gratuity of 21 days for each contractual year
As you can see there is no mention of travel assistance / car allowance. I read, above, that petrol is cheap, but I’m wondering what the situation is regarding second-hand cars. I have heard in relation to Oman, hence the question, that cars are so expensive that it isn’t feasible to buy one unless you’re thinking of staying for four years. I’m thinking of two years but may only do one. What is public transport like in Doha?
Many thanks in advance for your ideas!
I think the more precise question would be is it crazy to think I could afford to buy a car for only a one/two year period and if so, what’s the public transport network like?
Hello Alexandria, I was offered a job in Qatar for $58,571 USD plus 5% post differential. But this salary does not include any other uplifts. Is this a decent salary? I haven’t signed the letter of intent because they have not provided details on living quarters or the leave policy. Your insight would be great
Please read this post.
A.
I want to know Exit visas for vacation or casual trips will be available on week ends, like friday and saturday ? When there is emergency How to deal with ?
Hi,
Please what do you think of a 6000 QAR offer that includes free accommodation, messing, transportation. Also, how is the work condition like in qatar?
Is QAR 7000 including accommodation is a good deal for Doha for a single??
Hi Alexandaria,
I have an offer from qatar, The package they are offering me is around 4000 QAR per month…. I don’t think that it includes accomodation or food… What do you think? Will it be enough??
Please look here and focus on the cost of living section.
Thanks,
A.
Hi. I just got a job in Qatar and i have enquiries about the following:
- I am looking for a studio or a 1-bedroom flat! As you said above its quite expensive. Do you recommend any agencies or sites on the Internet I should looking through? What other add-on costs should I bare in mind? Such as Internet etc. not quite familiar with the areas but my budget for rent doesn’t exceed 8k and I’m looking for a place around the big BMW dealership!
- I tried searching for mobile lines but couldn’t find details on tariffs. Can you please guide me on this one?
- how do I enter Qatar for the first time – do I enter as a visitor then they transfer my visa? How long is the entry visa valid for? And is it true that I cannot leave Qatar for the first three months?
Thanks a lot Alex!
! have an offer of 12,500 QRS + bachelor accommodation + yearly ticket + paid vacation yearly. Is the offer good enough?
Please look here and focus on the cost of living section.
A.
Hi,
I was just wondering if you could comment on this potential scenario – will we live a comfortable life ( meals out, entertainment, socialising 3 days a week, gym membership etc) if I didnt work and if my partner secured a job paying $4600 per month and received a $25,000 accommodation allowance or company housing?
Thanks so much in advance!
Hi,
Can you please let me know your thoughts on a salary 15,000 – 18,000 QAR tax free (accommodation not included). I am single. I just don’t know if this is enough for an apartment and normal living.
Will some income be left after a month, or is this more a salary to survive month to month?
Thank you so much for the answer!
Please look here.
A.
Might you have more topics just like the following 1 called,
Cost of Living | Working in Qatar- jobs.ac.uk career blog?
I just really want to read even a lot more
about it. Thanks for your time.
Hi Alexandra
I’m from South Africa.Me and my hubby wants to move with our 2 kids to Qatar but only at the end of August to teach.My problem is my one boy is in grade 1 this year and Qatar’s schools start their first term in Sept.Will my grade 1 boy get recognition for his first year and then it also mean he won’t be finishing his last schoolterm for grade 1.I dunno really need sum advice on this one.Hope you will be able to help me.
Thnx
Angie
hi Alexandria,
your blogs find very usefull for people planning to relocate to qatar, i too have a similar plan, i have 11 yrs experience in sales, even worked in dubai for 5 yrs, will this experience help me to find a good job in sales..and also would like to know the present situation on job opportunities.. i am planning to come on visit visa and try for job.. kindly reply..
Hi Alex,
I am mechanical engineer having 5 years experience in Fire fighting field, how much salary i can expect in qatar and what other benefits i can expect from qatar employers.
Hi Alex,
Your blog is very informative. Thanks. It made me laugh at some of the queries..and your reply too. You even replied them patiently. ‘Kudos’ to you!
Hi Alexandria,
Please let me know your views about below offer: I am 2 yrs experienced profession got an offer to work in Qatar.
4500 QAR + Free Accommodation + Free Travel+ Free food
What do you think? Will it be enough in Qatar??
Please,after getting a five years working visa,can someone apply to a qatari university to study,and would he be granted the university admission in qatar.
Hi Alexandria,
first of all I would like to thank you for this thread, lots of important questions are answered here, thank you for your patience and efforts!
I am going for a job interview this weekend in Doha and there’s one question no one asked before: how are women treated in Qatar? Is Doha a safe place to live -for a woman alone. I have a dog that I would not like to leave behind, here in Budapest she comes with me to work, I never leave her alone. what do you think / feel, is it likely or not likely that I could have my dog there with me?
Many thanks,
Eszter