Moving to Bahrain? Everything you need to know — housing, visas, schools, healthcare, and settling into life in the Kingdom.
Last updated: 2026-02-24
BD 300-500/month
Juffair, Seef, Adliya
BD 450-700/month
Family-friendly areas
BD 600-1,200/month
Saar, Riffa, Janabiya
BD 30-80/month
Electric, water, cooling
BD 20-40/month
Fiber available most areas
BD 150-300/month
Family of 2-4
BD 10-30/meal
Casual to upscale
BD 100-200/month
Live-out cleaner/nanny
Expat hub, urban, nightlife
Rent: BD 350-600
Best for: Singles, couples
Modern, malls, convenient
Rent: BD 400-700
Best for: Professionals, families
Artsy, cafes, restaurants
Rent: BD 350-550
Best for: Creative types, foodies
Residential, schools, villas
Rent: BD 500-900
Best for: Families with kids
Beach resort, modern
Rent: BD 450-800
Best for: Beach lovers, expats
Suburban, spacious, golf
Rent: BD 400-700
Best for: Families, golfers
Sponsored by employer
1-2 years renewable
Self-sponsored work
1-2 years
For investors, talents
10 years
For spouse/children
Tied to sponsor
British
BD 3,000-6,000/year
British
BD 3,500-6,500/year
American
US military families
American
BD 4,000-7,000/year
Indian (CBSE)
BD 800-1,500/year
Available to residents at low cost
BD 7 per visit
Most expats use private healthcare
BD 300-800/year
BDF, KHUH, American Mission Hospital
Varies
Central Population Registry (CPR) card is your ID for everything. Get it ASAP.
Need CPR and salary certificate. HSBC, NBB, Standard Chartered popular with expats.
Many can convert home license. Otherwise, driving test required.
Batelco, Zain, STC available. Get postpaid plan once you have CPR.
Join clubs, gyms, groups. Expat community is welcoming and active.
Many leave in summer. Schools have long break. AC is essential!
Yes! No income tax, diverse expat community, high safety, good quality of life, and central Gulf location. Ranked highly in expat surveys.
Varies widely. Mid-level professionals BD 1,500-3,000/month. Management BD 3,000-8,000+. Includes housing allowance often.
No, English is widely spoken in business and daily life. Arabic useful but not essential for most expats.