- Juan Garcia
The Persian Gulf is a long way from home, so I was especially glad to discover this super expat community for Doha.
Meet other Brits in Doha
If you’re a British expat living in Doha and want to know how to meet other Brits here, then you’re in the right place.
We have a community of fellow Brits that you can meet up with, making navigating a new city much easier. Sure, it’s fun to embrace a new culture, but sometimes you just want someone who understands the importance of a good afternoon tea.
We’ve got everything you need to know about life in Doha, from the pros and cons to monthly expenses and connecting with other expats — Inshallah, you’ll feel right at home in no time.
Why you'll love InterNations in Doha
and countless possibilities for fun and friendship!
The pros & cons of living in Doha
No place is absolutely perfect. There’s always the good, the bad and the ugly — read about what British expats love about Doha as well as the challenges they face.
Pros:
Safety: According to Numbeo’s Crime Index by City 2022, Doha has a very low crime rate of 13.83%, making it the second safest city in the world. With well-lit streets and lots of police and guards, expats feel safe walking around at night.
Healthcare: In our Expat Insider survey, 88% of expats in Doha positively rate the quality of medical care. A similar share (87%) finds that it’s widely available.
No income taxes: A big perk for Brits in Doha is the tax-free salary. Unlike the high taxes in the UK, expats here take home more money for the same job.
Housing: Finding a decent place to live when abroad is usually a challenge, but Doha is an exception! When asked about hunting for accommodation, 66% of expats in Doha say it’s easy — compared to a global average of 45%.
Cons:
Hot weather: Be ready to bring a hat or use sunglasses anywhere you go because it’s always hot and dry in Doha throughout the year. From June to August, daytime temperatures can soar to 45°C.
Limited educational spaces: You might want to plan or search for your kids' education in advance. Despite high standards, the competition for top schools in Doha is very intense, making it quite challenging for British expats to get their kids into these schools.
Conservative culture: The local culture can take getting used to. Expats should keep in mind to dress conservatively and stay away from public displays of affection.
Meet Brits at our weekly events in Doha
Making friends and building a network in a new city can be hard. At our InterNations events everyone is from somewhere else and it’s completely normal to introduce yourself to people and ask them about their own expat journey. You’ll get to know a bunch of international people and other Brits in no time and get first-hand information about your new home Doha.
Check our upcoming events and become part of Doha’s large expat family. The Newcomers’ Events are geared towards people that are new to the city. Our Ambassadors will greet you with open arms and introduce you to other newcomers or more experienced expats living in Doha.
Want to meet other Brits at our events?
Frequent questions about living in Doha
In Doha, there are several British bars and pubs that show major football games like The Red Lion, The Irish Pub, or Rose and Thistle, where you can try your luck.
If you don’t like the idea of going up to strangers and striking a conversation, then check out our InterNations events. At the Newcomers’ Event, new members have a chance to get to know the expat community and meet other Brits in Doha.
Your income should match your cost of living, which can vary depending on your situation and budget. The average salary for jobs in Doha is 15,800 QAR or 4000 EUR per month (190,000 QAR or 48,000 EUR per year). If you're making at least this amount, you can live comfortably here.
However, if you have a family and kids to support, you might want to aim higher. Earning between 24,500–30,000 QAR a month per household is considered a good salary for a family.
Here is an overview of the monthly cost of living in Doha:
| EUR | Local currency | |
Rent for a one studio apartment | 985–1,540 EUR | 3,900–6,100 QAR |
Rent for a small family home | 1,835–2,830 EUR | 7,250 – 11,200 QAR |
Utilities (electricity, water, etc.) | 90 EUR | 365 QAR |
Mobile phone & internet | 100 EUR | 400 QAR |
Basic health insurance | 12–25 EUR | 50–100 QAR |
Public transportation | 30 EUR | 120 QAR |
Groceries (per person) | 200–300 EUR | 800–1,200 QAR |
Meal at a restaurant | 12–65 EUR | 50–250 QAR |
Doha is an international city, with half of its residents being expats. English is the second language used in Doha after Arabic. In fact, in our annual Expat Insider survey, 79% of expats in Doha say it’s easy to get by without speaking Arabic.
However, this may feel limiting at some point. There will be instances where you'll hit the language barrier, and it can be frustrating. The most challenging moments usually occur when you have to handle official paperwork, find a flat, see a doctor, or make appointments. So ideally, use your time in Doha as an opportunity to learn Arabic. These days there are many free resources where you can learn foreign languages.
To help you avoid some of these struggles, we've collected some services that cater to English speakers (these services are not affiliated with or endorsed by InterNations):
General practitioner (GP) | Dr. Haider Alwared Doctor at The View Hospital that specializes in primary healthcare. |
Dentist | Sharq Dental Center Dental clinic with multiple English-speaking dentists and staff. |
Urgent care | Reyada Medical Center A private hospital with a dedicated multilingual approach, international standards, and great reviews. |
Immigration assistance | Qatar Company Formation Offers relocation, visa, and immigration services with a full-service approach. |
Tax advisor | Ecovis Qatar An international tax advisory office that can assist you with tax returns and provide advice in multiple languages, including English. |
Instant interpreting service | DayInterpreting Get connected to a native Arabic speaker and use your phone’s loudspeaker to have an instant interpreter with you. |
Meet other Brits in Doha
Our Global Partners
Find friends to pursue your hobbies & passions with
Are you afraid you might not be able to continue your hobbies because you’re moving to a brand-new city? Don’t worry! At InterNations we have various groups you can join based on what you love to do.
These groups are led by dedicated Consuls who organize at least one activity each month — these include photography, bowling, eating out, dancing, running, and many more. Get ready to enjoy delicious meals at local and international restaurants with other expats and explore the beautiful city of Doha. From visiting the National Museum of Qatar to camel riding, you will experience something new!
Find other Brits to share your hobbies with
Enjoy the international experience with InterNations
We’re not just active in Doha — InterNations offers lively communities that are close by. If you’re traveling the region, check out our British communities in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Cairo.
But that’s not all: If you’re in the mood for a nice night out while travelling further abroad, we have communities in over 420 cities worldwide. Browse all InterNations Communities.
- Juan Garcia
The Persian Gulf is a long way from home, so I was especially glad to discover this super expat community for Doha.
- Amarilis Castillo
I loved the InterNations expat gatherings in Doha, and I hope we'll have another opportunity to meet up at 'La Villa' or the golf range.
