Kuwait City: what to see and whether to move there

What the city lives on and who it suits

Kuwait City is the capital and business centre of a small, wealthy state on the Persian Gulf. The economy rests on oil, public spending, banking, trade and construction. Foreigners make up most of the country's population and work on contracts, from oil and gas engineers and doctors to the service sector.

The city suits professionals with a job offer from a Kuwaiti employer, especially in oil and gas, medicine, education and finance: salaries are free of income tax. It is harder for those who want to move without a job: there is effectively no standalone residence permit for remote workers or retirees.

Neighbourhoods: where newcomers settle

• Salmiya: the most popular seaside area with foreigners, malls, cafés and many flats for rent.
• Sharq and the centre: offices, the Al-Mubarakiya market, close to banks and ministries.
• Fintas and Mahboula: further south and cheaper, convenient for those working in the southern oil district.
• Jabriya and Salwa: quiet residential areas favoured by families, near schools and clinics.

Cost of living

Exchange rate: about 0.31 dinar per dollar, 1 dinar is about $3.23 on 6 October 2026.

Practicalities: transport, climate, money

Transport. There is no metro; buses run on the main routes, and a city ride costs 250-300 fils. Most residents drive or use app taxis. Climate. Summers are extremely hot, often above 45°C by day, and comfortable from November to March. Taxes. There is no personal income tax for citizens or foreigners. Rules. Alcohol is banned, and during Ramadan eating and drinking in public by day is not allowed.

Moving and legal status

• Russian citizens need an electronic visa, applied for online before travelling;
• residence is granted through an employer under an employment contract;
• you can bring your family with a salary from 800 dinars a month (about $2,590), with a fee of 20 dinars a year for each wife and child;
• since 23 December 2025 there is an investor residence permit for 10 or 15 years, but the threshold for investing companies is investment from 5 million dinars and capital from 1 million.

We help check the contract and prepare documents for the visa, residence and moving the family.

Documents, banking and healthcare

• once residence is granted you receive a civil ID card, needed for banking, phones, renting and almost any service;
• salaries are paid into a local bank account, which cannot be opened without the civil ID;
• foreigners pay a health fee when getting and renewing residence, and employers often provide private insurance;
• on leaving a job, an employee under an employment contract receives an end-of-service payment under the labour law.

Business and schools

There is no income tax, while foreign companies pay 15% corporate tax. Setting up your own company is harder for a foreigner than in neighbouring Gulf states: a local partner or a special licence is usually needed. There are many international schools, all fee-paying and expensive, with places booked in advance. The airport is about 15 km south of the centre.

The week, work and rules

The working week runs from Sunday to Thursday, with Friday and Saturday off. In summer, from June to August, outdoor work is banned in the middle of the day, so some errands move to mornings and evenings. During Ramadan working hours are shorter, and eating, drinking and smoking in public by day are not allowed. Laws are strict and the city is safe.

Renting: what to check

Leases usually run for a year with monthly payments. Before signing, check whether electricity and water are included, whether there is parking and central air conditioning: in summer life without it is impossible, and power bills in flats without a central system are much higher. Employers often provide housing or a rent allowance, which is worth discussing when hired.

Climate by season

From November to March daytime temperatures are usually 18-25°C, the best time for outdoor life. From May to September they often exceed 45°C, and life moves into air-conditioned malls and cars. Dust storms occur in spring and summer, which people with asthma should consider.

Is the city worth considering

The pluses are high tax-free salaries, safety, a strong currency and proximity to other Gulf states. The minuses are heat for most of the year, status tied tightly to the employer, strict rules of conduct and almost no path to citizenship. Kuwait City works for earning money on a contract, not as a country for long-term emigration.