Once you have an apartment in Dubai, three things need to be set up before the place feels functional: electricity and water, internet, and a mobile number. The good news is that Dubai's utility infrastructure is modern and the setup process is well-organised. The less obvious news is that some steps require your Emirates ID, so the sequence matters.
DEWA: electricity and water
All electricity and water in Dubai is managed by DEWA — the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority. Before you can move into an unfurnished apartment, or in some cases before the landlord will hand over keys, you need a DEWA account in your name.
To register, you need your Emirates ID, a copy of your tenancy agreement, and a refundable security deposit. The deposit is AED 2,000 for a standard residential apartment and is refunded when you close the account on departure. Registration is done through the DEWA app or website, and connection is typically activated within 24 hours of application.
If you are moving into a furnished apartment for your first month, DEWA is usually already connected in the landlord's name and billed as part of the package. This is one of the practical advantages of a furnished arrangement while you're waiting for your Emirates ID — you don't need to set up DEWA yourself.
Cooling costs: a number people miss
Apartment cooling in Dubai is often provided through a district cooling system rather than individual air conditioning units. In Marina and Downtown, the provider is Empower. The monthly cooling charge is a separate bill from DEWA and can be significant — AED 700 to AED 1,100 per month during summer, when air conditioning runs continuously.
When budgeting your first year in Dubai, factor in cooling costs explicitly. They are the utility expense that most new arrivals underestimate, partly because they arrive in milder weather and don't experience peak summer consumption until a few months in.
Internet: du or Etisalat
Two providers operate in Dubai: du and Etisalat (now rebranded as e&). Both are government-linked and both offer comparable service in most residential areas. Coverage, speeds, and reliability are generally good across the city.
Setting up home internet typically requires your Emirates ID and can usually be done online or through the provider's app. Installation takes two to five business days. Monthly plans for fibre broadband start at around AED 199 and generally include high speeds with unlimited data.
If your building has a preferred provider already installed, switching is sometimes difficult — building infrastructure often only supports one provider. Ask before you commit to an apartment whether the installed provider is the one you want.
Your mobile SIM
A UAE mobile number is useful from day one — for two-factor authentication on banking apps, for WhatsApp (which is how most people in Dubai communicate), and simply to have a local contact number for your employer and new contacts.
You can register a prepaid SIM on arrival at the airport or any du/Etisalat retail outlet. A passport is sufficient for a prepaid SIM — you do not need your Emirates ID. Postpaid plans (which offer better data rates and international calling) require an Emirates ID.
The cost of mobile service is reasonable. Prepaid data packages run from around AED 50 per month for basic usage. Postpaid plans with unlimited data and international calls start from around AED 150 per month.
VoIP and calls home
One thing Dubai's mobile and internet network does not allow: WhatsApp and FaceTime voice and video calls work on WiFi but VoIP calling applications are partially restricted. WhatsApp audio and video calls function fine. Other VoIP applications may not. This is a known aspect of the UAE's telecom regulation and affects every resident equally.
For calling internationally, both du and Etisalat offer international calling bundles. Alternatively, many residents use their home-country phone plans during a brief visit home and rely on WhatsApp in Dubai day-to-day.
The order of operations
If you are waiting for your Emirates ID, the utilities that can be set up without it are: a prepaid mobile SIM and, if your landlord allows it, a basic DEWA connection using a passport and tenancy agreement in some cases. Everything else — postpaid mobile, broadband, and a DEWA account fully in your name — follows once the ID arrives.
For the first month in a furnished apartment, this is a non-issue. The utilities are running, the WiFi is connected, and you have time to sort everything else without disruption.
Solayra Holiday Homes manages fully-equipped furnished apartments in some of Dubai's most sought-after areas — including Dubai Marina, JBR, Downtown, DIFC, and Dubai Creek Beach. All properties are DTCM registered and available by the month with flexible terms. View available apartments and book direct or write to us at dubai@solayratravel.com.