A full-time maid in Dubai can either live in your home (live-in) or come to work each day and live elsewhere (live-out). With Derby, a live-in maid costs AED 3,500 + VAT a month plus a yearly agency fee, and a live-out maid costs AED 4,500 + VAT a month with no agency fee. The monthly fee includes her salary, visa and insurance. Live-in is cheaper; live-out gives you more privacy.
This guide compares the two options on cost, space, flexibility and legal rules, then shows how to hire the right full-time maid for your family.
Key facts
- Live-in: AED 3,500 + VAT/month + agency fee AED 4,500 + VAT/year.
- Live-out: AED 4,500 + VAT/month, no agency fee.
- The monthly fee includes her salary. Visa and insurance included in both.
- No deposits required. Cancel anytime. Free replacements. Video interview before hiring.
- Live-in: 1-month trial period. Live-out: we send her to you with no transportation charges.
- Live-in maids need suitable accommodation in your home, as required by UAE domestic worker law.
- Rest hours, a weekly day off and paid annual leave apply to both options.
Live-in maid Dubai vs live-out maid Dubai: what's the difference?
A live-in maid lives in your home, usually in a maid's room, and is there throughout the day. This suits families who want help early in the morning or in the evening.
A live-out maid lives outside your home and comes to work each day – Derby sends her to you with no transportation charges. You keep your home private outside working hours, and you don't need a spare room.
In both cases, she works full-time for your household only. That makes either option different from part-time or hourly cleaning services, where a different cleaner may visit each time.
Full-time maid Dubai cost: live-in vs live-out
| Cost item | Live-in | Live-out |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee (includes her salary) | AED 3,500 + VAT | AED 4,500 + VAT |
| Agency fee | AED 4,500 + VAT per year | None |
| Approximate yearly total (before VAT) | AED 46,500 | AED 54,000 |
| Visa & insurance | Included | Included |
| Deposit | None | None |
| Cancel anytime | Yes | Yes |
| Trial period | 1 month | – |
| Transport to your home | Not needed | We send her to you, no transportation charges |
| Room and meals at home | Provided by you | Not needed |
| Free replacement | Yes | Yes |
| Video interview before hiring | Yes | Yes |
The yearly totals are simple calculations: 12 months of fees, plus the agency fee for live-in. Because her salary is already included in the monthly fee, there is no separate salary to add – just VAT at the current rate. On these figures, live-in costs about AED 7,500 less per year before VAT – but remember to factor in the cost of the room, food and utilities you provide.
Pros and cons of each option
Live-in maid
- Pros: lower monthly cost; help is on hand earlier and later in the day; no commute, so she's rarely late; a 1-month trial period with Derby.
- Cons: you need a suitable room; less privacy; you provide meals and basic living needs.
Live-out maid
- Pros: more privacy for your family; no spare room needed; no agency fee; no transportation charges; clear start and finish times.
- Cons: higher monthly fee; less flexibility for evening or early-morning help.
What UAE law says about full-time maids
Whichever option you choose, the UAE domestic worker law (Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022 and its regulations) protects her basic rights. In summary:
- Written contract: the terms must be set out in an employment contract, and she is entitled to a copy.
- Daily rest: at least 12 hours of rest a day, including at least 8 consecutive hours.
- Weekly rest: one paid rest day a week. If she works on it, she should get another day off or compensation.
- Annual leave: at least 30 days of paid leave a year, with a return ticket home once every two years.
- Sick leave: reported as up to 30 days a year – the first 15 on full pay and the next 15 on half pay.
- Accommodation and care: employers must provide suitable accommodation, meals and medical care for live-in workers, and treat workers with respect.
A live-out maid has the same rest and leave rights. The difference is simply where she lives. Plan her daily schedule so it fits within these limits – for example, a live-in maid shouldn't be on call around the clock.
Which option suits your family?
| Your situation | Better fit |
|---|---|
| You have a maid's room and want help early and late | Live-in |
| You want the house kept clean and tidy throughout the day | Live-in |
| You live in a smaller apartment with no spare room | Live-out |
| Privacy in the evenings matters most | Live-out |
| Your budget is the main factor | Live-in (lower yearly cost) |
If you need a nanny rather than a housekeeper, read our nanny visa guide. If you already have a maid in mind and only need her visa, see our visa packages.
Preparing your home for a live-in maid
If you choose live-in, get a few things ready before she arrives:
- A private room with a bed, storage, ventilation or air conditioning, and access to a bathroom.
- A clear daily routine that respects her rest hours and weekly day off.
- House rules written down simply – for example, cleaning priorities, laundry routines and emergency contacts.
- Time in the first week to show her around and explain how you like things done.
A good first week sets the tone. Families who explain expectations clearly from day one usually find the arrangement works far better for everyone.
How to hire a full-time maid in Dubai with Derby
- Tell us what you need – live-in or live-out, the cleaning tasks you need help with and preferred languages.
- Review profiles – we share suitable maids for your home.
- Video interview – speak to her before you decide.
- Sign online – no office visits and no deposits.
- Start date – her salary, visa and insurance are included in the monthly fee, and our team supports you from start to finish. Live-in maids start with a 1-month trial period; live-out maids are sent to you with no transportation charges.
- Free replacement – if it doesn't work out, we'll find you another maid, and you can cancel anytime.
For a deeper checklist before you commit, read how to hire a reliable full-time maid in Dubai.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a full-time maid cost in Dubai?
With Derby, a full-time live-in maid costs AED 3,500 + VAT per month plus an agency fee of AED 4,500 + VAT per year. A full-time live-out maid costs AED 4,500 + VAT per month with no agency fee. The monthly fee includes her salary, and visa and insurance are included in both. No deposits are required.
Is a live-in or live-out maid cheaper?
On Derby's prices, live-in works out cheaper per year: about AED 46,500 + VAT (12 months at AED 3,500 plus the AED 4,500 yearly agency fee) compared with about AED 54,000 + VAT for live-out. With a live-in maid, you also provide her room and meals at home.
Do I need a maid's room for a live-in maid?
Yes. UAE domestic worker law requires the employer of a live-in worker to provide suitable accommodation. In practice, that means a private, safe and clean space where she can rest. If you don't have this, a live-out maid may suit your home better.
How many hours can a full-time maid work in the UAE?
UAE domestic worker law gives domestic workers at least 12 hours of rest a day, including at least 8 consecutive hours, plus one paid rest day a week and at least 30 days of paid annual leave. These rights apply to both live-in and live-out maids.
Can I interview the maid before hiring?
Yes. Derby arranges a video interview before you hire, so you can check her experience, skills and communication. If she isn't the right fit later, Derby offers a free replacement.
