Essentials
- City
- Dammam, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia
- Population
- Approx. 1,300,000 (Greater Dammam Area)
- Internet Speed
- High-speed stays around 150-300 Mbps on 5G; Fiber optics available in most residential areas via STC or Mobily.
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 3.75 SAR (Fixed peg); banks include Al Rajhi, SNB, and Riyadh Bank.
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; most residents use bottled water (Hana, Nova) or 5-gallon delivery (approx. 15 SAR).
- Power
- 230V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type G sockets (British style).
- SIM Card
- STC (Sawa), Mobily, and Zain. Prepaid 50GB data packages cost approx. 170 SAR/month.
- Banking for Expats
- Neo-banks like STCPay and Urpay are excellent; traditional accounts available with a valid Iqama (residence permit).
- Accommodation
- Gated compounds (e.g., Al Rushaid, Canary Village) for Western-style living or modern apartments in Ash Shati.
- Cashless Friendly
- Extremely high; Mada (local scheme), Apple Pay, and cards accepted everywhere from malls to small shops.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb is active; Gathern (local app) offers wider local options for villas and apartments.
- Budget Accommodation
- Park Inn by Radisson Dammam (approx. 350 SAR/night) or local furnished apartments (Suhas) starting at 200 SAR/night.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Dammam Corniche / Ash Shati - proximity to the sea, restaurants, and entertainment.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Al Khobar (neighboring city 15 mins away) or Dammam’s An Nuzhah district for central access and modern cafes.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- WhiteSpace (King Fahd Road) - Modern desks approx. 1,200 SAR/month; Work & Co (Al Khobar area).
- Best Cafe for Work
- Camel Step Coffee Roasters (Ash Shati) - Great Wi-Fi and quiet atmosphere; 12 Cups for a more social vibe.
- Networking Events
- Dammam Hub (Global Shapers community events) and various tech meetups organized by Monsha'at.
- Social Events for Expats
- InterNations Dammam-Khobar group; compound-hosted events like seasonal markets.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Careem and Uber are dominant; Kaiian is a popular local alternative.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Hop (Electric scooters) found along the Dammam Corniche (approx. 1 SAR/min).
- Best Beach Nearby
- Half Moon Bay (30 mins south) - clear waters, private resorts, and public swimming areas.
- Top Regional Airline
- flynas and flyadeal - budget carriers connecting to Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dubai.
- Top International Airline
- Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) and Gulf Air (via nearby Bahrain).
- Highway Access
- Excellent; Route 40 connects to Riyadh; King Fahd Causeway connects to Bahrain.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Dammam Railway Station (SAR Passenger station) connecting Dammam to Riyadh in 3.5 hours.
- Public Transport Passes
- SAPTCO bus network exists but is limited; most nomads rely on ride-hailing or private cars.
- Regional Travel
- SAPTCO VIP Express buses to Bahrain or Riyadh (approx. 100-150 SAR).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- King Fahad Specialist Hospital (Public) or Mouwasat Hospital (Private/Expats).
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Soul Yoga Studio (Al Khobar area) - drop-in classes approx. 100 SAR.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Fitness Time (Pro or Plus) - widespread branches, approx. 3,500 SAR for an annual membership.
- Laundry Services
- Clean Line Laundry; small local laundries charge approx. 5 SAR per shirt for wash/press.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- HungerStation, Jahez, and ToYou.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Al Kabsa (spiced rice and chicken) or Al Hassawi Rice. Try Najd Village for authentic settings.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Wabi Sabi (Plant-based) and many Indian restaurants like Maharaja by Vineet offer extensive veg menus.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Over Jar (Chocolate desserts) and Dip n Dip on the Corniche.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Lulu Hypermarket and Souq Al Hob (Love Market) for bulk spices and fabrics.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.sa, Noon.com, and Jarir Bookstore for electronics.
- Grocery Delivery
- Nana App or Carrefour Saudi; delivery typically within 60 minutes.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- None (Alcohol is illegal). 'Nightlife' focuses on high-end lounges and mocktail bars on the Corniche.
- Local Brewery
- Not applicable (Alcohol prohibited). However, Barley 'near-beer' (Moussy/Barbican) is widely consumed.
- Wine Bars
- Non-alcoholic wine bars like 'The Shaker' or mocktail lounges in hotels.
- Street Food Stalls
- Al-Karam Corner for shawarma (approx. 6 SAR) and local food trucks at 'Lulu Park'.
- Popular International Cuisine
- The Cheesecake Factory (Al Rashid Mall) and P.F. Chang's for American-style dining.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Ithra (King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture) - an architectural marvel with a library and cinema.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Taybeen Museum (pop culture museum); Alfelwah and Aljowharah Museum.
- Historical Sites
- Tarout Castle (nearby Tarout Island) - dating back thousands of years.
- Religious Sites
- King Fahd Mosque - large, iconic architecture on the waterfront.
- Annual Events
- Sharqiah Season (concerts and festivals); Saudi National Day (Sept 23rd).
- Cultural Districts
- Oqyat Cultural District for local art and heritage workshops.
- Theater Venues
- Ithra Theater - hosts international operas, plays, and orchestral performances.
- Local Markets
- Souq Al-Samak (Fish Market) - one of the largest in the Persian Gulf.
- Music Scene
- Live music is now common in cafes like 'Boho Cafe' and organized concerts via the Entertainment Authority.
- Street Art
- Al Khobar Bayoonya Street Art district - murals by local Saudi artists.
- Cooking Classes
- Kitchenation (Al Khobar) - offers various culinary workshops.
- Art Galleries
- Desert Designs - art gallery and heritage gift shop.
- Historic Buildings
- Dammam Heritage Village - a museum and restaurant housed in a traditional structure.
- Local Heritage
- Pearl diving history and Bedouin hospitality (Majlis culture).
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Murjan Island - man-made island with parks and boat rides.
- National Parks Nearby
- Al-Ahsa Oasis (90 mins away) - a UNESCO World Heritage site with millions of palm trees.
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Dammam Corniche walking track - 4km of coastal path.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The top of Al Qara Hill (Judas Hill) in Al-Ahsa for desert/oasis vistas.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Tarout Bay - home to flamingos and migratory birds in winter.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Desert dunes off the Dammam-Riyadh highway (ensure local weather permits).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Aramex, SMSA Express, and DHL.
- Tech Repair Services
- Jarir Bookstore (official repairs) or the mobile market in Al Adama for cheap fixes.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Various local sports clubs and compound recreation centers.
- Language Classes
- Berlitz Dammam; Arabic courses for non-speakers.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Ithra Library - state-of-the-art multi-level library and workspace.
- Community Centers
- SDC (Saudi Development Center) hubs for youth and training.
- Gaming Lounges
- Glitch (Al Shatea Mall) - VR, bowling, and gaming.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None (Gambling is strictly prohibited).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 4,500 SAR per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 180,000 SAR).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 3,200 SAR per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 128,000 SAR).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 4,200 SAR per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 252,000 SAR).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 3,000 SAR per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 180,000 SAR).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 4,000 SAR per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 320,000 SAR).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 2,800 SAR per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 224,000 SAR).
- Corporate Tax
- 20% on foreign partners' share of net profit.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 5% on dividends paid to non-residents.
- Tax System
- No personal income tax for individuals; Zakat (2.5%) for Saudi/GCC nationals.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 0% for personal income.
- VAT
- 15% (Standard rate).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Relatively new; consult ZATCA (Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority).
- Property Tax
- No annual property tax, but 5% Real Estate Transaction Tax (RETT) applies on sales.
- Property Transaction Tax
- 5% Real Estate Transaction Tax paid by the seller (unless exempt).
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Yes, 0% personal income tax and new 'Premium Residency' options for remote workers.