Skip to main content
OM flag

Oman

The Gulf's safest country - dramatic deserts, fjords and zero income tax

71/100
FutureLife Score
#67
FutureLife Index 2026
Save to board
Travel Here
Compare
$1,500
Comfortable/mo
9.2/10
Safety
7.5/10
Healthcare
#88
Happiness rank

Key Scores

71/100
Higher = better
Future Life Score
9.2/10
Safety Index
7.5/10
Healthcare
#88
Lower = happier
Happiness Rank

Why people move to Oman

+Consistently ranked the Gulf's safest country
+Musandam fjords - Arabia's 'Norway of the Middle East'
+Wahiba Sands: world-class dune camping and 4WD adventure
+Zero personal income tax; affordable compared to UAE/Qatar
+Omani hospitality: warmest culture in the Arabian Peninsula
Tax-freeSafeAdventure
Culture & context

Quiet, gentle, traditional Gulf state - less flashy than UAE, more conservative, deeply respected for moderation.

People, religion & languages

Population
~4.7M (~38% expat)
87% urban
Languages
Arabic
Also: English (business and daily), Swahili, Baluchi
Day-to-day English

High in Muscat and business; moderate inland.

Religion

Ibadi Islam majority - a moderate third Islamic branch distinct from Sunni/Shia. Famous for religious tolerance.

Ibadi Muslim
45%
Sunni Muslim
45%
Shia Muslim
5%
Hindu/Christian/Other
5%

Culture & etiquette

What locals value and what to watch for

ModestyHospitalityReligious moderationCleanlinessTradition
Do
  • Dress conservatively (knees/shoulders covered)
  • Accept coffee and dates
  • Greet with right hand
  • Take time over conversations
Avoid
  • Public alcohol (licensed only)
  • PDAs
  • Loud public behaviour
Pace of life

Slow, calm, ordered.

Expat-friendliness

Genuinely welcoming; less expat-dense than Dubai but easier integration.

Holidays & food culture

Gentle Gulf cuisine with strong Indian and East African touches.

ShuwaMajboosHalwaMakloubaDatesKahwa
Mealtimes

Lunch 13:00–15:00, dinner 20:00–22:00.

Dietary norms

Halal default; alcohol licensed only.

Major holidays
November 18
National Day
Variable
Eid al-Fitr
Variable
Eid al-Adha
July 23
Renaissance Day

Work culture & business norms

Working weekSunday–Thursday
Hours07:30–14:30 government; 08:00–17:00 private.
HierarchyHierarchical.
PunctualityFlexible.
Meeting styleCoffee and relationship before business.
Business attireThobe and dishdasha standard for Omanis; suits for expats.

Hidden Gems

Off the beaten path

→

Salalah in the Khareef (monsoon) season - June–September turns this southern city bright green with mist and waterfalls, unlike anything else in Arabia

→

Al Hoota Cave - a 4.5km illuminated cave system near Nizwa with a blind fish species found nowhere else on Earth

→

Masirah Island - remote island off the east coast with world-class kitesurfing, loggerhead turtles, and absolutely no tourism infrastructure

Monthly cost snapshot
Comfortable lifestyle$1,500/mo
Semi-Luxury lifestyle$2,500/mo
Luxury lifestyle$5,000/mo

Single person, before income tax

AI affordability check
At $4,000/month remote income you'd have $2,500 surplus after budget-tier costs - saving 63% of your income.
Get personalised match →

Quick facts

LanguageArabic
CurrencyOMR
Internet35 Mbps avg
EnglishHigh
Future Life Score71/100
Future Life Rank#67
PR pathN/A
CitizenshipNo clear path
Passport rank#81
Visa-free81 countries
Income tax30% top rate
VAT20%
CapitalMuscat
Best airportMuscat International (MCT)
VisaeVisa on arrival or online - $20 for most nationalities; free for GCC
Avg temp25–35°C Oct–Mar; extreme heat (40°C+) June–September in north
CurrencyOmani Rial (OMR) - one of the world's highest-value currencies

Visa options

eVisa TouristEasy
Employment / Residence VisaModerate
Before you move in
See it for yourself
Things to do, hidden gems, food & real daily costs
Pack Your Bags
Compare Oman with another →
Planning your move to Oman?
Trusted partners · Affiliate links
Skyscanner
Compare flights
→
Wise
Send money, no fees
→
SafetyWing
Expat health from $45
→
Airbnb
Short-stay apartments
→