Living in Qatar: cost of living, rents and the salary you need

Example: the same life, elsewhere

A single person living in London in a one-bedroom home, with the average spending of a similar household, spends about £3,350 a month. To keep the same life in Doha (Al Sadd), they would need about QAR 8,330 (≈ €2,020) net a month locally (−49%), i.e. 4.6 times the minimum wage.

For a couple with two children in a two-bedroom home (private or international school), it would take about QAR 21,500 (≈ €5,210) net a month in Doha (Al Sadd), i.e. 12 times the minimum wage.

Calculated on 2 October 2026 with the official averages of London and the destination’s prices. Yours depends on your city, home and habits: the calculator works it out in a few minutes, no sign-up.

Rents in Qatar

City	Studio	1 bedroom	2 bedrooms	3-bedroom house	1 bedroom in euros
Doha (Al Sadd)	QAR 5,250	QAR 5,250	QAR 6,000	QAR 6,750	€1,270
Doha (The Pearl)	QAR 8,000	QAR 8,000	QAR 10,800	QAR 15,000	€1,940
Lusail	QAR 5,500	QAR 5,500	QAR 6,750	QAR 8,750	€1,330
Doha (Al Mansoura)	QAR 4,500	QAR 4,500	QAR 5,000	QAR 6,000	€1,090
Doha (Fereej Bin Mahmoud)	QAR 5,250	QAR 5,250	QAR 6,000	QAR 6,750	€1,270

Monthly rent in QAR, outside the most sought-after areas. Studio 28 m², 1 bedroom 45 m², 2 bedrooms 65 m², house 95 m² where rent is known per m². ValuStrat, Qatar Real Estate Review for Q2 2026: median monthly asking rents of flats by neighbourhood, reported by Economy Middle East (Q2 2026).

Wages

The minimum wage is QAR 1,800 (≈ €440) net a month (QAR 1,800 gross).

QAR 1,000 basic wage, plus QAR 300 for food and QAR 500 for housing when the employer does not provide them; no income tax or contributions for foreigners.

Average wage: QAR 12,500 (≈ €3,020) net a month.

Healthcare

Once you receive your residence card (QID), apply for a health card for each family member: it gives access to health centres (PHCC) and public hospitals (HMC) at reduced rates. Also check the insurance in your contract.

In the example above: we count the state health card for each member of the household, which gives access to public care at reduced rates (£0 a month). The law also requires your employer to insure you.

Visa and residence permit

You move to Qatar with a job: the employer applies and pays for your work visa and residence permit. Your family joins you on a family permit at your expense, possible from a QAR 10,000 salary (QAR 6,000 with employer housing).

Cost: QAR 600 (≈ €150) per person.

One-year residence permit and medical exam for the family; the employee’s is paid by the employer.

There is no visa to live on income from abroad: you need a local job, unless your nationality is exempt.

Moving in and everyday life

Deposit: 1 month’ rent
Agency fees: 5% of the yearly rent
School: Private or international school: about QAR 50,000 (≈ €12,100) a year
Electricity: QAR 0.08 per kWh
Getting around without a car: Metropass: QAR 120 a month per adult
Home cleaning: QAR 40 an hour

Frequently asked questions

What salary do you need to live in Doha (Al Sadd)?

For a single person keeping the same life as in London: about QAR 8,330 (≈ €2,020) net a month, i.e. 4.6 times the minimum wage.

How much is rent in Doha (Al Sadd)?

About QAR 5,250 (≈ €1,270) a month for a one-bedroom home and QAR 6,000 for a two-bedroom home, according to ValuStrat, Qatar Real Estate Review for Q2 2026.

Do you need a residence permit to live in Qatar?

You move to Qatar with a job: the employer applies and pays for your work visa and residence permit. Your family joins you on a family permit at your expense, possible from a QAR 10,000 salary (QAR 6,000 with employer housing). Cost: QAR 600 (≈ €150) per person.