Moving to Bahrain

What to expect before moving to Bahrain

Just off the eastern coast of the Arabian peninsula sits the Pearl of the Arab World, the Bahrain archipelago. This small island nation is filled with unique culture and rich history dating all the way back to the prehistoric Dilmun civilization. Bahrain gained its independence from British rule in 1971, and is now governed by a hereditary constitutional monarchy, and its wealth stems mostly from petroleum production and refinement.

The climate in Bahrain can be extreme, reaching up to 113 degrees Fahrenheit (45 C) in the summer. That said, the rest of the year is milder, with temperatures in the winter typically not dropping below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 C).

Similar to many other Arab countries, Bahrain’s culture and daily flow of life is heavily influenced by Islam. Friday is considered the holy day, when many shops and restaurants are closed in observance, and the work week runs from Sunday to Thursday. Public calls to prayer echo from minarets five times a day, and there are mosques on every corner; however, no one is required to identify as Muslim or practice that religion, and established churches and temples are available for other faiths. While Arabic is the country’s official language, most signs are bilingual in both English and Arabic, and it’s common to encounter Urdu, Farsi, and Hindi as well.

Overall, Bahrain is a fairly liberal and tolerant place, with many western creature comforts available. While pork and alcohol are haram (forbidden) according to Islam, stores and restaurants can obtain licenses to sell those items. Women are allowed to drive, work and move around in public without an escort

. Expats can watch their favorite television shows from home on satellite TV from services such as Orbit and Showtime, and set up their households with high-speed internet. Bahrain’s capital, Manama, is a beautiful and modern international city, boasting some of the region’s finest shopping and dining. Expats moving to Bahrain with children will find some of the best American, British, French, Arabic, and Indian international schools available for top-notch students - the waiting list is always long, so be sure to apply early! Expats will also find many opportunities to connect with each other and socialize at sporting events, social gatherings, and places like the Capital Club. 

Housing in Bahrain is relatively standard across the board. Renters can find fully-furnished or semi-furnished villas or apartments that will also include housewares, curtains, and carpets. The rent on these units ranges from a BHD 150 ($550 USD) studio apartment to a BHD 2500 ($9000 USD) multi-room villa with amenities such as pools and private gardens. Minimum lease agreements for renters are typically one year, though sometimes longer lease contracts come with monthly discounts or a free month’s rent, depending on the landlord. Most landlords do not collect a deposit, but the ones that do generally require one month’s rent, and the deposit is refundable. Sometimes the assignee’s company will pay the rent, and sometimes the assignee will pay their rent directly; it simply depends on the arrangement.

British, American, and most European expats can obtain a Bahraini visa upon arrival, but everyone needs to apply for a residence/work visa for themselves and their families once in the country. Usually, this process is handled by the assignee’s employer.

Without much in the way of public transportation, the best way to get around in Bahrain is via car. Many British and American assignees can also convert their driver’s licenses to a Bahraini license based on the strength of the licensing requirements in their home countries. All other nationalities will need to apply for a learner’s permit and take the driving test once their residence visa has been issued.

Expats transitioning to life in Bahrain will experience traditional Arab hospitality blended with modern convenience; ancient ruins sidled up against gleaming glass-and-steel towers; and warm, friendly, welcoming people - including Place2Place’s partners on the ground -  ready to assist them every step of the way.