Life in Ras Al Khaimah has a lot to offer…… There is no comparison to living in busy Dubai (which many expats consider a nightmare!). RAK offers a calmer, slower pace, beautiful natural surroundings, many many facilities, a strong feel for the community and a cheaper cost of living. In RAK there is an adherence to Islamic values and maintaining customs and traditions.
Wonderful Lifestyle
- No unethical and/or high risk activities like gambling, pornography etc.
- Zero social unrest
- Very low crime rate
- Large choice of high level residences
- Superb marinas, entertainment facilities, sports facilities, world-class shopping
- A sunny climate all year
- Wonderful sea and beaches
Health in RAK
The Government of RAK pays great attention to the health and safety of nationals, residents and visitors.
RAK Medical Zone oversees a number of hospitals and public medical facilities, including a range of specialized clinics and pharmacies.
One of the most important tasks of RAK Medical Zone is to provide and ensure a high level of health services via the health care facilities under its authority.
Hospitals in RAK
- RAK Hospital (Private Hospital)
Tel: 07 207 4444
- RAK Health/Medical Center
Tel: 07 233 7333
- Al Ibrahim bin Hamad Obaidullah
Tel: 07 222 3555
- Sheikh Khalifa Speciality Hospital
Tel: 055 774 4542
- Obaidallah Geriatric Hospital
Tel: 07 222 3555
- Abdullah Rashid Omran Hospital
- Saqr Hospital (Ministry of Health)
Tel: 07 222 3666
- Saif bin Ghubash Hospital (Ministry of Health)
Tel: 07 222 3555
- Shaam Hospital
Tel: 07 266 6465
- Al Zahrawi Hospital (Private Hospital)
Tel: 07 228 8544, 07 228 8141
- Royal Hospital
Tel: 06 545 2222
Electricity and Water
FEWA Federal Electricity & Water Authority
The Federal Electricity and Water Authority (FEWA) generates and distributes electricity and water to the Emirates Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, and Fujairah.
The Government provides heavy financial support to the electricity and water facilities so that electricity and water are provided to consumers at low prices. FEWA is continuously planning and developing in order to handle the increase in demand smoothly whilst keeping to best international practices, standards and environmental laws.
If you are a tenant, your landlord will be registered with FEWA and you need to open an account for paying your electricity and water. Usually a deposit of AED1000 is required.
If you live in Al Hamra Village you can pay your utility bills online via http://www.rak.ae/en/web/rakportal/login
For other locations you can pay via:
- Emirates Post
- Head FEWA office, Dubai
- Branches of FEWA in RAK, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, and Fujairah
- Dubai Islamic Bank (Al Islami online banking)
- Safeer Mall, Ajman
- Emirates Islamic Bank
- Emirates NBD
- Kiosks in shopping malls and other public places
Traffic in RAK
The traffic in Ras Al Khaimah is on the increase (but is still nothing compared with the traffic nightmare of Dubai) and for this reason the Government of RAK is committed to the continuous upgrading and construction of roads, tunnels and bridges in order to facilitate the traffic increase.
A new bridge on Shaikh Mohammed bin Salem Street at the entrance to RAK has provided easy access to the Free Zone and the industrial area, as well as access to Al Hamra Village and other residential developments.
Postal Services
Emirates Post offers a wide variety of services via post offices. The Emirates Commercial Postal Services (Empost) offers express courier services with its fleet of over 600 delivery vehicles.
Banks in RAK
There are many branches of UAE commercial and Islamic banks in Ras Al Khaimah.
Locals and foreign expatriates can open bank accounts at any of the local or foreign banks which operate in UAE. Expatriates need the following in order to open a bank account:
- Passport
- Valid residency
- Letter of non-objection from the employer or sponsor
- Salary statement
IBAN numbers are mandatory for all bank transfers and transactions outside and within the UAE.
Commercial & National Banks
InvestBank – Tel: 07 233 7393
Al Hilal Bank – Tel: 800 666 666
Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank – Tel: 07 205 6800 or 800 2030
National Bank of Umm Al Qaiwain – Tel: 07 236 4470
First Gulf Bank – Tel: 07 228 0666 or 600 525 500
United Arab Bank – Tel: 07 228 8437
RAK Bank – Tel: 07 228 1127
Commercial Bank of Dubai – Tel: 07 228 6266 or 800 223
Dubai Islamic Bank – Tel: 07 236 2666
Emirates NBD – Tel: 600 54 0000
National Bank of Abu Dhabi – Tel: 07 205 6800
Commercial Bank International PSC (CBI) – Tel: 07 222 7555
Mashreq – Tel: 07 228 4748 or 04 424 4444
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank – Tel: 800 2288
Emirates Islamic Bank – Tel: 600 599 995
Foreign Banks
HSBC – Tel: 600 540 004
Bank Melli Iran – Tel: 07 222 9400
BANQUE MISR – Tel: 07 233 2245
Arab Bank – Tel: 07 228 8437
Al Khaliji – Tel: +974 4494 0000
Bank of Baroda – Tel: 800 227 632
Dos and Don’ts in Ras Al Khaimah
Visitors and residents of the United Arab Emirates need to have in mind that this is a Muslim country (although the local population is only 20% of the total population) and it is expected that traditions and customs are respected.
Alcohol
Alcohol is mainly sold in hotel restaurants or hotel bars, golf clubs or within other tourist areas. Local restaurants do not serve alcohol.
Dress Code
It is expected that visitors and residents dress modestly and ethically so as to show respect to the local people. There are no set rules about dress code but generally, knees and shoulders should be kept covered in public places.
Emergency numbers
| Fire | 07-997 |
| Police | 07-999 |
| Ambulance | 07-998 |
| Electricity | 07-2287766 |
| Water | 07-2283366 |
| Traffic | 07-2356666 |
| Police | 07-2053000 |
| Public hospitals | |
| Saqr Hospital | 07-2223666 |
| Saif Bin Ghabash Hospital | 07-2223555 |
| Sha’am Hospital | 07-2666465 |
| RAK Hospital | 07-2074444 |
Living in RAK and Working in Dubai
Have you thought about accepting a job in Dubai? ……Are you planning the relocation to Dubai?…… but something is holding you back??…. something along the lines of traffic, cost of living, property prices, inflation, congestion, pollution….??… or could it be the uninspiring natural scenery….. we do understand….
Before you discount the dream of living a tax-free lifestyle because you just can’t shake the idea that Dubai is not actually for you, here’s a suggestion: Live in Ras Al Khaimah and work in Dubai … make the daily commute….
Thanks to the Emirates Highway, it is only a 45 minute drive from Dubai. It is a bustling Emirate and what it lacks in size and stature it makes up for in attractiveness and natural scenery.
With its amazing beaches, real estate developments, world-class golf courses, fantastic climate and recent developments in tourism, RAK is rapidly emerging as far more than a weekend retreat from Dubai. RAK has become the perfect location for those who want to live in Dubai but avoid the heavy traffic and nightmare city hustle and bustle and those who want to find a more affordable cost of living and more pleasant standard of living.
To reach the emirate you head north out from Dubai. After a relatively short distance you will notice a change in colour in the scenery with the sand dunes taking on a reddish hue with greenery. RAK is on the Gulf and is backed by the breathtakingly dramatic Hajjar Mountains.