Advantages of living in Bahrain
So, you’ve already decided to live in Bahrain? While you will certainly face a few challenges, with the right preparation your accommodation will go a lot smoother than you may expect!
Our Guide provides you with lots of useful information on housing and working in Bahrain, and much more.
Overview
Living in Bahrain puts you at the center of the North Arabian Gulf, the region’s financial hub and cultural heart. Compared to some other places in the Middle East, the dress code and entertainment options in Bahrain are a lot more modern and ideally suited for expats from Western countries.
The weather in Bahrain is not very extreme and it is possible to enjoy outdoor activities and recreational options during most months of the year. In addition, there are tons of malls, restaurants, boutiques, bazaars, beaches and parks for people to let their hair down and have a great time on the weekends.
English is one of the most common languages among locals. Also, Bahrain is known to have the friendliest locals where expats of all nationalities are welcomed regardless of their colour, race or religion.
A large number of expats reports that Bahrain has become more like a home to them and now, it is the time to be yours!
Easiness of finding residence in Bahrain
The easiest way, of course, is to go through a real estate agent who can use their knowledge of the local market to help you find the perfect place.
You could visit compounds or apartment buildings you’re interested in and talk to the porter or ask at the reception office about upcoming vacancies and that would also help you to be familiar with the locality you are moving in to.
English-language newspapers in Bahrain are another helpful resource.
Smart Home Technology has definitely made the process of selling and buying houses much easier than it was before. According to study that was made in 2016, 81% of the study subject showed interest in purchasing a property equipped with smart home technology.
Know the best routes to and from your office. Lease an apartment that is conveniently connected to your workplace, your children’s school and shopping centres so that you are not far away from everything.
Keep a budget in mind and try not to go overboard. Your initial expenses, when it comes to setting up a new home can often be high so make sure you rent an apartment that fits your budget. It can be either furnished or unfurnished — the latter is more common and also cheaper. You can expect them to be high quality and well maintained.
Home insurance is one of the most important elements when moving into a new apartment. Make sure that you choose the right insurance company for your home insurance cover.
High Salary, No Taxes
You will need a valid work visa to get a job in Bahrain, and you will need a confirmed offer in order to get a work visa. Most expats working in Bahrain have either been hired from overseas by recruitment agencies, normally by a headhunter or via an agency, or have been transferred by their company. It is almost impossible to escape this circle, but can’t apply for one without a job offer!
Don’t fear, you can still visit the country to build your network with a tourist visa to explore opportunities and look for work by establishing contacts.
Nearly all expatriates working in Bahrain are on a fixed-term contract. However, Casual or temporary work is not easy to find, but local recruitment agencies may be able to help spouses of expats already working in Bahrain.
There are a lot of career opportunities in Bahrain – business and financial services, mass media, education, construction & infrastructure, manufacturing, telecom, information technology, healthcare and hospitality are some of the most thriving industries in Bahrain and getting a good, stable job for highly educated and skilled professionals is not a problem at all.
Expats in the workplace are expected to dress conservatively as business attire is strictly formal and irrespective of the weather. Women in business settings dress modestly, taking care to keep their arms and legs covered. On the other hand, Local businessmen may wear the traditional garb of a dishdasha.
Like in most Arab nations, personal relationships are an important part of the business culture. Business tends to move slowly, and it is not considered proper to make an attempt to rush it. Therefore, it is common to have a cup of coffee during the sessions of a small talk or in a business meeting. This can prove to be beneficial as it enables expats to know their colleagues on a personal level too. Bahrainis tend to avoid disappointing others with straight out refusals. It is not the norm to openly contradict another.
Being late or unprepared can reflect badly on one’s reputation. Therefore, punctuality is a great emphasis on punctuality in the Bahraini work culture.
Working hours in Bahrain are usually from 7am to 2pm. Many choose to take a break in the afternoon, which is the hottest part of the day, and return to work later in the afternoon and until evening. During Ramadan, working hours are shorter.
A Whole New Level in Business
According to the World Bank report for doing business in Bahrain 2018, the Kingdom of Bahrain ranks as the 75th easiest country to start business in. Expats businesspersons who wish to do business in Bahrain will discover an environment that is familiar with foreign influences. They are expected to respect the local culture and tradition, but they are not required to follow it themselves. The criteria where Bahrain ranked fairly well included registering property, paying taxes and dealing with construction permits.
No personal income or capital gains tax is what makes Bahrain considered a financial heaven for expats. Only a 1% deduction occurs from the monthly salary, which goes towards subsidizing the unemployed in the country.
In addition to that, Bahrain has a successful history of doing business. The government has devised several strategies to make investing in Bahrain attractive to foreigners. Not only does it offer a liberal environment and low operational costs, but it also ranks in the top 5 globally for quality of life. Prospective expats planning to move to Bahrain should definitely check out Manama, the country’s capital.
Having Fun
Here you can do a lot of recreational activities during weekends or vacations and pass wonderful moments with your friends or family.
From a UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site to hypermodern skyscrapers and intimate alleyways, Bahrain has it all.
Social Welfare and Health Care
Ensuring you are safe and stable in any new country is extremely important. Medical care is free and comprehensive for both nationals and expatriates. There are programs that provide for the elderly and the disabled. There is an institute for the blind and one for the physically handicapped.
Bahrain’s healthcare system has considerably improved during recent years. Expats will discover comprehensive healthcare infrastructure with options for public and private healthcare. There are several state-funded hospitals, private medical facilities, clinics and maternity hospitals. Compared to other countries in the region, Bahrain spends the most on health, and is also one of the healthiest Gulf countries.
A Happy Small Community
You will feel real compassion from the heartwarming conversations in this small community; people really care about each other. It is no wonder then that expats have chosen Bahrain as their favourite place to live away from home.