A move from Dubai to Abu Dhabi is two jobs at once: closing everything down in one emirate and setting it up in another, with a long drive in between. The paperwork is different on each side, and the day itself is won or lost on when the truck leaves. This guide covers both.
Before you leave Dubai
Give notice on your tenancy
Check your tenancy contract for the notice period and any move-out conditions, such as professional cleaning or repainting, and agree a handover date with your landlord.
Close DEWA
Request a DEWA move-out for your Dubai home and choose a disconnection time after the movers have finished loading. Your deposit is set against the final bill and the balance refunded. Once the bill is settled, the clearance certificate is shared with RERA for the Ejari cancellation. The steps are in our DEWA move-in and move-out guide.
Get the move-out permit
Most Dubai buildings and communities want a move-out permit or NOC, often with notice and sometimes with a refundable deposit. Book the service lift for the morning so the truck can leave early.
Setting up in Abu Dhabi
Tawtheeq: registering your lease
Abu Dhabi’s equivalent of Ejari is Tawtheeq, the registration of your tenancy contract. Registering it is the landlord’s or property manager’s responsibility, but you will need a copy for other services, so ask for it as soon as the lease is signed.
Electricity and water
In Abu Dhabi the utility account is linked to the registered tenancy. Once Tawtheeq is done, the electricity and water account is normally set up for you, and you receive an SMS and email when the connection is active. It can take a couple of days, so confirm with your landlord that registration is complete well before moving day.
Building and community access
Towers on Al Reem Island usually want a booked service lift and loading bay. Villa communities on Saadiyat and Yas, and in Khalifa City, often ask for crew and vehicle details in advance. Arrange this before the truck leaves Dubai, because an Abu Dhabi gate is a long way to go to be turned away.
Driving: Darb tolls
Abu Dhabi uses the Darb toll system. There is no tag; your plate is read at the gate, and vehicles need to be registered on Darb. Tolls apply at peak hours at the gates on the bridges into Abu Dhabi island. The rules have been updated in recent years and new gates have been installed on some highways, so check the current timings and fees with Abu Dhabi Mobility before you rely on them.
What a Dubai to Abu Dhabi move costs
Published UAE guides put a Dubai to Abu Dhabi apartment move at roughly AED 1,800 to 4,500 and a villa at AED 3,500 to 8,000, depending on size, packing and access. The drive is part of it, but so are the lift and parking at both ends. Our moving cost guide explains what moves a quote up or down. Whatever the number, ask for it as one written price with travel included.
How to plan the day
- Plan the far end first. The lift slot, gate pass and truck parking in Abu Dhabi decide when the crew needs to arrive. Work the loading time backwards from that.
- Start early. An early start is the difference between a one-day apartment move and a two-day one. It also keeps the truck out of the worst traffic on the E11.
- Secure the load for the highway. A long drive is harder on furniture than a short city move, so everything should be wrapped and strapped properly.
- Use one crew for both ends. Nothing changes hands on the way, and the people who loaded the truck know where everything is.
- Split villa moves over two days. Packing on day one, transport and setup on day two is calmer and safer.
- Plan for a gap. If the Abu Dhabi home is not ready, short-term storage is cheaper than moving twice.
A simple timeline
| When | Dubai side | Abu Dhabi side |
|---|---|---|
| 4 weeks before | Give notice, book a survey and quote | Sign the lease, ask about Tawtheeq |
| 2 weeks before | Apply for the move-out permit | Confirm Tawtheeq and utility connection, request the move-in permit |
| 1 week before | Request DEWA move-out, book the lift | Confirm lift slot or gate pass, send crew details |
| Moving day | Early loading, meter photos | Unloading, reassembly, setup |
| After | Pay DEWA final bill, complete handover | Register your car on Darb, update your address |
Common questions
How long does a Dubai to Abu Dhabi move take?
A one or two bedroom apartment is usually one day with an early start. Villas normally run over two days.
Do I need Ejari in Abu Dhabi?
No. Ejari is Dubai’s system. In Abu Dhabi your tenancy is registered through Tawtheeq, usually by the landlord or property manager.
Can one mover handle both emirates?
Yes, and it is the better option: one crew loads in Dubai and unloads in Abu Dhabi, and the price includes the travel.
Moving to Abu Dhabi?
We run the Dubai to Abu Dhabi route regularly, with one crew at both ends and one written price, travel included. Read more about our movers in Abu Dhabi and villa moves.