Our quick reference guides have vital information on pay, benefits, tax and visas - everything you need to work and live in Bahrain:
Bahrain's prosperity is not dependent on its oil reserves, becoming known for its financial institutions as early as the 1970s. It now has a well established base of leading, international companies and financial institutions, attracted by the buoyant economic situation.
Having made major investments in education and social welfare, Bahrain aims to become as self sufficient as possible in terms of its work force. For a candidate to be employed from overseas they must have experience and skills that cannot be found locally. For those candidates with skills in demand, a move to Bahrain could be life changing; remuneration and benefits packages are among the best in the world.
A major incentive to move to Bahrain is its status as a free economic zone. You don't pay income tax here.
To obtain a driving licence, bank account or health insurance you need a Residence Visa. Your employer will act as your sponsor during your stay and it will be their responsibility to organise your Residence Visa.
Bahrain is one of the most cosmopolitan and Westernised countries in the Middle East. While Islam is the main religion, Bahrainis are known for their tolerance. One of the key differences in Bahrain is the restriction of alcohol. Generally, only hotels have licenses to sell alcohol, so you are likely to find that the majority of bars, restaurants and clubs aimed at Westerners will be attached to hotels.
The month of Ramadan is a feature of life in the Middle East. During this month, eating, drinking and smoking are not permitted in public, from sunrise to sunset. This is strictly adhered to and even as a non-Muslim it is unacceptable to partake in any of the above.
While drinking might be frowned upon, shopaholics are more than welcome in Bahrain; it's a retail paradise with breathtaking malls and department stores, selling everything from Blu-ray players to designer clothes, all tax free.
If you're more of an outdoors person, you'll have no trouble finding a local willing to share their love of fishing, horse riding, golf or water sports with you. Desert driving is also popular - what could be more exciting than taking a 4-wheel drive over the sand dunes?
Budding socialites will be at home among the thriving expat community; relax around the pool at one of the social clubs or sample the cuisine at restaurants serving Arabic, European, American and Asian cuisine.
We recommend that you be covered for healthcare at all times. There are a number of international companies that specialise in private health insurance - comprehensive, regional cover costs around £35 per month.
Long waiting lists are almost unheard of, with every city and major town having at least one modern hospital. They are listed in telephone directories, yellow pages and tourist publications. When choosing a hospital, your best bet is to seek advice from colleagues and friends.
The term 'clinic' is used to denote a general practitioner's surgery. There's a high ratio of doctors to patients and a routine first diagnostic visit costs about £40, with additional costs for any tests.
The majority of dentists are from Scandinavia, Britain and Russia - embassies keep details of nationals practising dentistry here. Dentists and orthodontists also advertise in telephone directories, expatriate magazines and tourist guides.
If you need to get to A&E, the most reliable method is to use your own transport or go by taxi. On arrival in Bahrain take note of the emergency telephone numbers, the location of the major hospitals and the quickest route there.
Several of the world's leading banks and their subsidiaries have branches in Bahrain. A number of foreign banks, including the British Bank of the Middle East, Citibank and Standard Chartered, have a major presence here. Setting up an account is easy, as is transferring money home. You'll be given a cash card to withdraw money from ATM machines and credit cards are widely accepted.
Until recently, expats only had the option to rent in Bahrain, with ownership being restricted to Bahraini nationals. Now, however, expats can buy property in certain areas - Ahmed Al-Fatah, Hoora and Bu Ghazal are popular.
In the rental market a variety of accommodation is available, from unfurnished apartments to fully furnished villas. Many executive apartments provide additional amenities - swimming pool, tennis court, gym, sauna and so on.
Flats and houses can be rented for any length of period, from a day to a decade and beyond. The longer the rental period, the better the deal. Prices vary depending on size and location: one-bedroom apartments start around 280 BD; 2 and 3 bedroom apartments cost upwards of 370 BD and villas can go for anything up to 850 BD per month.
To find accommodation, contact real estate agents, scour the newspapers or ask friends and colleagues. Your Michael Page consultant will also be happy to help.
Bahrain International airport is located on Al Muharraq, an island on the northern tip of the mainland. Gulf Air, British Airways, Emirates, Lufthansa and KLM regularly fly in and out of Bahrain.
You'll need to acquire an International Driving Permit before entering the country. Many people purchase cars for the duration of their stay as cars and petrol are so cheap.
Bahrain has a decent bus service linking most of the major towns with Manama and Muharraq. Taxis are metered, but for longer trips expect to negotiate an hourly rate.
Like most Gulf countries, Bahrain is not a cheap place to live.
