# Living in Abu Dhabi as an Expat: Capital Life Field Report > Explore real expat life in Abu Dhabi. Discover practical details on Tawtheeq housing fees, residence visa medicals, Etihad pet rules, and intercity travel. 3 August 2026 Expat Pocket Editorial The morning light filters through the glass concourse at Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) as travelers collect their baggage. For families arriving with pets, this terminal represents a unique gateway into the United Arab Emirates. Etihad Airways operates its dedicated Pets Onboard service exclusively through Abu Dhabi International Airport, making it the only carrier in the country offering in-cabin pet travel for incoming flights. When booking Business Class, passengers must call Etihad beforehand to confirm that a pet-friendly seat remains available on that specific aircraft. In practice, completing pet travel requires strict adherence to airline timelines. Passengers must submit a pet booking form at least seven days before departure. Following that, health certificates and release permits must be submitted via email at least 72 hours prior to takeoff. If your long-term destination is Dubai, residents report that after clearing Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) inspection at the Abu Dhabi port of entry, you can proceed by road to Dubai without needing a separate emirate-specific permit. In contrast, flying directly into Dubai International Airport on Emirates or flydubai requires all pets to travel as manifested cargo rather than inside the cabin. When evaluating what living in abu dhabi expat life looks like, these operational details define your initial transition. ## Reviewing Utility Statements Under the Tawtheeq Housing System Settling into an Abu Dhabi apartment involves specific administrative steps that set it apart from neighboring emirates. Lease agreements in Abu Dhabi are registered through the municipality system known as Tawtheeq. This framework differs from Dubai, where residential leases rely on Ejari registration and water services run through DEWA. For mainland business entities setting up physical premises in Abu Dhabi, holding a registered lease contract within Tawtheeq is equally mandatory to secure a commercial trade licence. The financial breakdown of local tenancy includes a municipal fee integrated directly into utility statements. Abu Dhabi charges a municipal housing fee calculated at 5% of the annual rental value or the official rental index, whichever figure is higher. This amount is spread across monthly water and electricity statements over 12 months under Abu Dhabi Distribution procedures. Understanding this automatic billing structure allows new residents to budget accurately without facing unexpected end-of-year municipal surcharges. ## Attending the Mandatory Residence Visa Medical Screening Inside the government medical fitness center, residents take their places for mandatory health screening. Every applicant aged 18 and over seeking a UAE residence visa must pass a medical examination proving they are free from communicable conditions such as HIV and TB. The screening process features distinct emirate-level requirements. Applicants in Abu Dhabi undergo a chest X-ray specifically to test for pulmonary tuberculosis, a step that is not part of the standard visa medical routine in Dubai. Legal protections exist for individuals facing unexpected medical findings during residency processing. Under a 2016 Cabinet Resolution, any applicant diagnosed with active TB, TB scars, or drug-resistant TB during screening receives a conditional fitness certificate along with a one-year residence visa. The individual is then required to undergo mandatory medical treatment within the UAE throughout that one-year period. Knowing these exact legal frameworks ensures applicants understand their health rights and compliance obligations. ## Boarding the Intercity Shared Taxi at Al Wahda Mall Standing near the taxi bays at Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi, travelers watch passenger vans and sedans prepare for the intercity journey to Dubai. The RTA taxi-sharing service connects Al Wahda Mall directly with Ibn Battuta Mall in Dubai, offering a flexible transit option between the two capitals. The total fare for a full sedan trip is set at AED 264. This cost is divided evenly among passengers sharing the vehicle: two passengers pay AED 132 each, three passengers pay AED 88 each, and four passengers pay AED 66 each. Payment can be completed using standard bank cards or nol cards. Cross-emirate travel also highlights differences in tourist support networks. If visitors require assistance while spending time in Dubai, the Dubai Tourism Police maintain a dedicated helpline at +971 4 609 6239, operating separately from general emergency lines like 999 or non-emergency lines like 901. Abu Dhabi maintains its own distinct Tourism Police contacts for visitors within its borders. For weekend downtime and leisure excursions outside the capital, read our practical breakdown of [desert trips planning](/blog/desert-trips-planning-expat.md). ## Navigating Academic Recognition and Daily Family Routines For professionals and parents organizing educational pathways in Abu Dhabi, degree verification procedures have become increasingly streamlined. The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR) maintains an automatic-recognition list featuring 38 UAE-based higher education institutions. Under this system, graduates from designated universities receive instant recognition of their academic degrees upon graduation through an electronic verification portal featuring a QR code. The official list of automatically recognized institutions includes prominent capital choices such as Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi Polytechnic, and the Abu Dhabi School of Management. Knowing whether an institution holds instant degree recognition simplifies professional licensing and further academic pursuits. When establishing long-term stability, understanding how these educational regulations interact with lease registrations and residency checks makes living in abu dhabi expat family routines structured and manageable.