Why the budget matters more than the headline salary
Tax-free doesn’t mean cost-free. In private clinics, predictable patient experience depends on a stable off-duty life: housing, utilities, transport and health extras aligned with rota reality. A clear budget prevents overtime dependence and keeps onboarding calm.
The calm monthly budget (signals, not promises)
Think in bands, not guesses; adjust to area and lifestyle.
Housing (35–45%) — Rent aligned with commute time and rota; Ejari in sponsor’s name; check move-in NOC timelines.
Cooling & utilities (8–12%) — Electricity/water + district cooling where applicable; confirm provider, rate structure and billing cycle.
Transport (5–10%) — Fuel, parking, Salik tolls; night shifts need safe parking and predictable routes.
Groceries & essentials (10–15%) — Healthy staples; avoid last-minute premium convenience buys around night shifts.
Insurance extras (3–6%) — Co-pays, approved clinics, pharmacy differentials; keep your facility on the plan.
Connectivity (2–4%) — Mobile + home internet; check building availability before signing tenancy.
Professional costs (2–4%) — CPD, licence renewal incidentals, attestations.
Savings/contingency (10%+) — Flights buffer, unforeseen relocations, family needs.
If schooling is relevant, ring-fence it outside the above bands; education costs vary widely and can distort the plan.
Offer → reality: allowance strategy
Housing allowance — Prefer cash with freedom to choose area; confirm payout schedule and whether unused amounts are retained.
Transport — Cash or mileage; night parking covered? State it.
Utilities — Some employers cover district cooling caps; if not, budget explicitly.
Education — If provided, confirm age bands, school list and reimbursement mechanics.
Flights — Annual ticket policy (self vs family), route class, pro-rata rules in year one.
10-minute pre-sign checklist (copy/paste)
Title maps to DHA category; clinic location and commute timed at shift change hours.
Housing: Ejari in your name; district cooling terms known.
Rota: post-call day protected; four-week publication.
Insurance: clinic on network; pharmacy co-pay understood.
Transport: parking availability; Salik exposure on your route.
Allowances: cash vs in-kind, payout frequency, clawback rules.
Contract names: passport-exact (all middle names).
Domiciliary expectations? If yes, confirm rider & privileges (home/hotel/yacht).
Area and commute reality (plain English)
Proximity beats views on night shifts. A 15-minute reliable route is worth more than a long commute with tolls and variable traffic.
If sharing, set clear rules for sleep after nights; patient safety starts with rest.
Protecting take-home value
Bundle admin in Week 1: bank IBAN, tenancy, utilities, insurer enrollment.
Avoid long contracts on internet or parking until rota stabilises.
Track monthly spend for the first three pay cycles, then lock your target bands.
Red flags—and calm fixes
“Cooling not mentioned.” → Ask for provider and typical summer bills; request a small utility allowance or raise base.
Parking off-site at night. → Negotiate on-site or stipend; safety and predictability matter.
Education “case-by-case.” → Seek written caps and schools list before signing.
Commute through multiple Salik gates. → Re-route or adjust housing choice; tolls add up silently.