"How much does it cost to hire a maid in the UAE?" is the first question almost every family asks — and the honest answer surprises most people: **the salary is the smaller part.** The real number is the all-in first-year cost once you add recruitment, visa, medical, insurance and the monthly wage.
We are a directory, not an agency, so here is a straight, complete 2026 breakdown — with the hidden costs nobody mentions until the bill arrives.
## The short answer
For a live-in maid in the UAE in 2026, budget a **total first-year cost of roughly AED 32,000–48,000**. That breaks down as:
- **Recruitment / package + visa fees:** ~AED 8,000–16,000 (one-time)
- **Annual salary:** ~AED 18,000–30,000 (AED 1,500–2,500/month)
From **year two it drops** — you only pay the cheaper renewal plus salary, roughly **AED 27,000–35,000/year**.
## The full cost breakdown
| Cost component | Typical amount (AED, 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Recruitment / Tadbeer package fee | 8,000–16,000 | The biggest variable; Tadbeer at the lower end, agency self-sponsorship higher |
| Visa + medical + Emirates ID | Included in Tadbeer packages, or ~3,000–5,000 if self-sponsored | Often bundled into the package fee above |
| Mandatory domestic-worker insurance | ~500–1,500 | Required |
| Monthly salary | 1,500–2,500/month (~18,000–30,000/year) | Varies by nationality & experience |
| Total first year (all-in) | ~32,000–48,000 | Fees + salary combined |
| Year 2+ (renewal + salary) | ~27,000–35,000 | Renewal is far cheaper than year-1 recruitment |
Approximate 2026 figures. Sources: our 2026 GCC Domestic Worker Salary Report; estimate your exact salary with the maid salary calculator, and see the full Tadbeer fees breakdown.
## Cost by route: Tadbeer vs agency The route you choose moves the fee a lot: - **Tadbeer centre:** lower upfront (package ~AED 8,500–12,000) and a lower income requirement, but you stay in the package. - **Recruitment agency + self-sponsorship:** higher year-one fees (~AED 15,000–22,000) but cheaper renewals — better long-term if you keep the worker for years. Full decision guide: [Tadbeer vs a recruitment agency](https://www.gccdomestic.com/en/blog/tadbeer-vs-recruitment-agency-uae-2026/). ## Cost by nationality The **monthly salary** — the part that repeats every year — depends heavily on nationality and experience. In the UAE, Filipina maids sit at the top of the range (around AED 2,000+), while other nationalities are lower. It is the single biggest long-run cost lever, so factor it in before you choose. See [salaries by role and nationality](https://www.gccdomestic.com/en/blog/maid-salary-uae-2026-by-nationality-role/). ## The hidden costs nobody mentions Budget for these too — they catch families out: - **Flight ticket home** — typically once a year or every two years, employer-paid. - **End-of-service gratuity** — accrues over the contract; payable when she leaves. - **Replacement cost** — if it does not work out and you have no replacement guarantee, you may pay again. - **Accommodation & food** — for a live-in maid, a real (if non-cash) cost. - **WPS salary payment** — salaries increasingly must be paid through approved channels, not cash. Want a cheaper model? A [part-time maid via a licensed company](https://www.gccdomestic.com/en/blog/live-in-vs-part-time-maid-uae-2026/) skips the visa, sponsorship and accommodation costs entirely. ## A warning on "too cheap" offers If someone offers an all-in "Filipina maid for AED 8,000," walk away. The genuine all-in cost is far higher, and suspiciously low prices are the clearest sign of an **unlicensed broker** — you risk losing your deposit, getting no contract, or ending up with an undocumented worker. Always hire through a MOHRE-licensed centre or agency you can verify in the [directory](https://www.gccdomestic.com/en/agencies/). ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How much does it cost to hire a maid in the UAE per year? Budget roughly AED 32,000–48,000 for the first year all-in (recruitment and visa fees of AED 8,000–16,000 plus an annual salary of AED 18,000–30,000). From year two it drops to about AED 27,000–35,000, since you only pay the cheaper renewal plus salary. ### Why is the first year more expensive than later years? The first year includes one-time costs — recruitment or Tadbeer package, visa, medical and Emirates ID. From year two you pay only the renewal (much cheaper) plus the ongoing salary and insurance. ### Is it cheaper to hire through Tadbeer or an agency? Tadbeer is usually cheaper upfront with a lower income requirement; an agency with self-sponsorship costs more in year one but has cheaper renewals, so it can be cheaper over several years. See our full Tadbeer-vs-agency comparison. ### What hidden costs should I budget for when hiring a maid? The annual or biennial flight ticket home, end-of-service gratuity, mandatory insurance, possible replacement cost, and accommodation and food for a live-in maid. Salaries must also be paid through approved channels. ### Is an all-in offer of AED 8,000 to hire a maid realistic? No. The genuine all-in first-year cost is far higher (around AED 32,000–48,000). A price that low is a red flag for an unlicensed broker — avoid it and use a verified, licensed provider. ## The bottom line Plan for **AED 32,000–48,000 in year one** and roughly **AED 27,000–35,000 a year after that** — and remember the salary, ticket and gratuity are recurring. Choose your route on total cost (not just the upfront fee), and only ever pay a licensed provider. **Compare your options:** [Tadbeer vs agency](https://www.gccdomestic.com/en/blog/tadbeer-vs-recruitment-agency-uae-2026/) · [Tadbeer vs Musaned](https://www.gccdomestic.com/en/blog/tadbeer-vs-musaned-uae-saudi-2026/) · [Live-in vs part-time](https://www.gccdomestic.com/en/blog/live-in-vs-part-time-maid-uae-2026/) · Hire a [driver](https://www.gccdomestic.com/en/blog/how-to-hire-a-private-driver-uae-2026/) / [cook](https://www.gccdomestic.com/en/blog/how-to-hire-a-private-cook-uae-2026/) / [caregiver](https://www.gccdomestic.com/en/blog/how-to-hire-an-elderly-caregiver-uae-2026/) 👉 Compare verified, licensed agencies and Tadbeer centres — and estimate your exact salary — in the [GCC Domestic directory](https://www.gccdomestic.com/en/agencies/).
