Sponsors
Abroad Experience specializes in connecting international professionals with exciting career opportunities in the Netherlands. With a focus on multilingual job seekers, we help candidates find roles that align with their skills, ambitions, and background.
From recent graduates to experienced professionals, we provide guidance throughout the recruitment process, offering job placements in fields such as customer service, finance, marketing, and more. Our goal is to make international job transitions seamless, ensuring candidates find the right opportunities while supporting them every step of the way.
It is of utmost importance to us that we offer a high level of service and build strong and trusting relationships with clients and candidates. As an international agency, we are devoted to international professionals in order to help them succeed on the Dutch labor market. As part of our recruitment services we can provide you with feedback on your CV & interview preparation sessions.
ActiveQuote is a leading comparison platform for health insurance, providing an easy way for individuals and businesses to compare health plans from a wide range of providers. With a focus on transparency, ActiveQuote helps customers find the best insurance coverage that suits their needs and budget, whether for personal or family health insurance, or for small businesses looking to provide benefits to employees.
By simplifying the process of comparing and purchasing health insurance, ActiveQuote offers a personalized experience, ensuring customers make informed decisions quickly and efficiently. With a commitment to excellent customer service and competitive pricing, ActiveQuote is dedicated to helping you secure the right health insurance coverage for your circumstances.
Aetna is a leading global health insurance company providing a wide range of health plans and services for individuals, families, and businesses. With a strong presence in both the United States and internationally, Aetna focuses on improving health outcomes by offering affordable and accessible healthcare coverage.
Aetna provides a comprehensive range of products, including health, dental, vision, and disability insurance, as well as health management programs designed to support customers in leading healthier lives. With an emphasis on innovation and customer care, Aetna aims to deliver high-quality healthcare solutions that meet the needs of diverse populations worldwide.
GUIDE FOR
Saudi Arabia has rapidly transformed into a major destination for expats, professionals, and entrepreneurs seeking exciting career opportunities, tax-free salaries, and a unique cultural experience. With its booming cities, dramatic desert landscapes, and ambitious national development projects, the Kingdom offers a modern lifestyle shaped by deep cultural traditions. Whether you're drawn to the futuristic skyline of Riyadh, the coastal charm of Jeddah, or the historic sites of AlUla, Saudi Arabia provides a fascinating environment for newcomers.
This guide gives you a comprehensive overview of Saudi Arabia—its geography, culture, work life, language basics, and helpful tips to ensure a smooth relocation.
A Glimpse into Saudi Arabia
Geography and climate
Located on the Arabian Peninsula, Saudi Arabia is bordered by Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Oman, and Yemen. It has long coastlines along both the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf, offering everything from coral reefs to modern waterfronts.
Saudi Arabia has a desert climate, meaning:
Extremely hot summers, often 40°C or higher
Mild to cool winters, especially in the central and northern areas
Very little rainfall, mostly between December and March
The western region (near Jeddah) is humid, while the central areas like Riyadh tend to be dry and cooler at night.
A snapshot of history
Saudi Arabia’s history stretches back thousands of years, with ancient trade routes, early civilizations, and archaeological sites scattered across the peninsula. The Kingdom as we know it today was founded in 1932 by King Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam and home to its two holiest cities, Makkah and Madinah, attracting millions of pilgrims every year. In recent decades, the country has undergone rapid modernization, especially through Vision 2030, a national plan transforming the economy, promoting technology, tourism, and sustainability.
Today, Saudi Arabia blends tradition with innovation, offering newcomers both ancient heritage and futuristic development projects like NEOM, The Line, and the Red Sea Project.
Diving into Saudi culture
Saudi culture is welcoming, family-oriented, and built on strong traditions. Hospitality is central, guests are often offered coffee, dates, and warm conversation.
Food and drink
Saudi cuisine is flavorful and aromatic. Popular dishes include kabsa, mandi, mutabbaq, shawarma, and luqaimat. Coffee (qahwa) and tea are cultural staples, often served during social gatherings. International food scenes are growing rapidly in major cities.
Festivals and traditions
Saudi Arabia celebrates a mix of cultural and religious events:
Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha – major religious holidays
Saudi National Day – celebrations across the country in September
Riyadh Season & Jeddah Season – festivals featuring concerts, art, food, and entertainment
Winter at Tantora – cultural festival in AlUla
Lifestyle
Life in Saudi Arabia has modernized significantly. Shopping malls, cafés, cinemas, beaches, museums, and entertainment venues are increasingly common. However, traditions remain important, and understanding local etiquette, such as modest dress and respectful greetings, will help you integrate smoothly.
Working in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia offers strong career opportunities, especially in sectors like engineering, energy, finance, IT, construction, healthcare, and tourism. Expat professionals often move for competitive salaries, tax-free income, and comprehensive benefits packages.
Work culture is relationship-oriented, and trust is key. Meetings may be more flexible in structure than in Western countries, and personal connections are valued. Weekends are Friday and Saturday, with the workweek running Sunday to Thursday.
Large cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah offer modern offices, international companies, and growing startup scenes. Remote work and coworking spaces are becoming more common, though the majority of jobs are onsite.
Arabic made simple
Arabic is the official language, but English is widely used in business and in major cities. Learning a few basics will help you navigate daily life and show respect for the local culture.
Here are some useful Arabic phrases:
English | Arabic (Transliteration) |
|---|---|
Hello | Assalamu alaikum / Marhaba |
Goodbye | Ma’a as-salama |
Thank you | Shukran |
Please | Min fadlak (m) / Min fadlik (f) |
How are you? | Kaifa halak? (m) / Kaifa halik? (f) |
I don’t understand | Laa afham |
Where is the nearest…? | Ayna aqrab…? |
Can you help me? | Hal mumkin an tusa’idani? |
How much does this cost? | Kam thamanuhu? |
Do you speak English? | Hal tatakallam al-Ingleeziyy? |
Even a few phrases can go a long way in making daily life smoother.
Tips for a smooth transition
Relocating to Saudi Arabia is an exciting experience. Here are some steps to help you settle comfortably:
Prepare your visa and work permit
Most expats need a sponsored work visa. Processing can take time, so begin early and double-check all required documents.
Understand accommodation options
Housing varies widely, from compounds with community amenities to modern apartments and villas in the city. Compounds are popular with expats for their convenience and social atmosphere.
Learn about healthcare
Saudi Arabia has excellent healthcare facilities. Expats typically receive private health insurance through their employer.
Get ready for the climate
Light clothing is essential for summer, but you’ll also want warmer layers for cooler winter evenings, especially in Riyadh or the northern regions.
Follow local customs and laws
Respect for cultural norms, such as dressing modestly and observing certain public behaviors, will make your integration smoother and more comfortable.
Explore the country
Saudi Arabia offers stunning deserts, mountains, the Red Sea coast, and UNESCO heritage sites like Diriyah, Mada’in Salih, and Jeddah’s historic district. Tourism is expanding quickly—take advantage of it!
Final thoughts
Saudi Arabia is a country of incredible contrasts, ancient culture blended with rapid modernization, quiet desert landscapes alongside futuristic megacities. Whether you are coming for work, adventure, or a new beginning, the Kingdom offers a unique lifestyle full of opportunity, discovery, and growth.
Marhaban bik fi as-Suʻūdiyyah!
Sponsors
Abroad Experience specializes in connecting international professionals with exciting career opportunities in the Netherlands. With a focus on multilingual job seekers, we help candidates find roles that align with their skills, ambitions, and background.
From recent graduates to experienced professionals, we provide guidance throughout the recruitment process, offering job placements in fields such as customer service, finance, marketing, and more. Our goal is to make international job transitions seamless, ensuring candidates find the right opportunities while supporting them every step of the way.
It is of utmost importance to us that we offer a high level of service and build strong and trusting relationships with clients and candidates. As an international agency, we are devoted to international professionals in order to help them succeed on the Dutch labor market. As part of our recruitment services we can provide you with feedback on your CV & interview preparation sessions.
ActiveQuote is a leading comparison platform for health insurance, providing an easy way for individuals and businesses to compare health plans from a wide range of providers. With a focus on transparency, ActiveQuote helps customers find the best insurance coverage that suits their needs and budget, whether for personal or family health insurance, or for small businesses looking to provide benefits to employees.
By simplifying the process of comparing and purchasing health insurance, ActiveQuote offers a personalized experience, ensuring customers make informed decisions quickly and efficiently. With a commitment to excellent customer service and competitive pricing, ActiveQuote is dedicated to helping you secure the right health insurance coverage for your circumstances.
Aetna is a leading global health insurance company providing a wide range of health plans and services for individuals, families, and businesses. With a strong presence in both the United States and internationally, Aetna focuses on improving health outcomes by offering affordable and accessible healthcare coverage.
Aetna provides a comprehensive range of products, including health, dental, vision, and disability insurance, as well as health management programs designed to support customers in leading healthier lives. With an emphasis on innovation and customer care, Aetna aims to deliver high-quality healthcare solutions that meet the needs of diverse populations worldwide.
Our life is full of metaphors; sometimes we don’t even notice them. However, if you look at today’s world through such a metaphorical lens, you understand why it can be compared to the river. It is dynamic, it is fast moving, every day it gets filled with new streams of ideas, tendencies, and innovations. Then, we can consider different organizations as banks of that river. They all have their traditions, cultural colors, and shades. That’s why there must be something to connect these banks, to make them united by common desires, ideas, business, strategies, language, etc. Therefore, our company come to serve as the bridge for that; we can build a connection between people, business organizations and various establishments. This singular belief makes ourselves and our clients’ products/services and international brand distinguishable amongst all of the rest.
Global Health Insurance, 100% Online – Anytime, Anywhere!
Whether you're an expatriate, student, frequent traveler, au pair, or business, we offer flexible insurance solutions for anyone traveling abroad. From registration to reimbursement, we make it easy to manage your health needs worldwide!
As a global leader in international health insurance, APRIL International provides comprehensive coverage for individuals, families, and businesses. Specializing in expatriate insurance, we offer tailored health plans that ensure access to quality healthcare—whether for short-term trips, long-term stays, or corporate needs.
With a strong focus on innovation, digital services, and customer support, APRIL International simplifies international health coverage, giving you peace of mind wherever you are. Our commitment to accessibility and personalized service makes us a trusted partner for those living, working, or traveling abroad.
Apt Wealth Partners is a trusted financial advisory firm based in Australia, providing expert wealth management, financial planning, and investment solutions. With a client-first approach, we help individuals, families, and businesses achieve their financial goals through tailored strategies and long-term planning.
From retirement planning and superannuation to tax-effective investment solutions, Apt Wealth Partners offers comprehensive financial guidance designed to build and protect wealth. Our focus is on delivering financial advice that allows us to become your personal CFO. Your finances will be tailored to your needs, allowing you to concentrate on living the life you want. We're privately owned and focus on providing the most transparent advice possible.
The AvD is the most traditional automobile club in Germany. Many things that are taken for granted today has been actively promoted and shaped by the AvD. To this day, the AvD is associated with the driver's license, the zebra crossing, the IAA and successful petitions, among other things. The AvD is committed to road safety, Motorsport and the preservation of historic vehicles. Today and in the future.
We’re AXA – Global Healthcare, and we’re experts when it comes to healthcare around the world. We use AXA’s resources around the world to help our members access quality medical care whenever they need it. We do that by matching them up with international health insurance that suits them, and by keeping them supported before, during and after treatment.
We help our members to live life to the fullest, knowing we’ll be here to help if they need us.
Bambridge Accountants provides expert accounting and tax services to individuals and businesses, helping them navigate complex financial landscapes. Whether you're managing personal finances or handling corporate tax obligations, our team offers tailored solutions to ensure your financial success.
With extensive experience in UK and international tax issues, we simplify the most challenging financial matters. From tax planning and financial compliance to corporate advisory, we guide you towards achieving your financial goals with clarity and confidence, delivering personalized service every step of the way.
Real value extends beyond financial capital - it’s about our impact on people, the environment, and society. At BDO Nederland, we ensure that everything we do delivers value and drives positive change. Our approach is rooted in shared core values, ethical principles, and sustainability, which are embedded in our DNA.
The BDO Code defines these values and the professional standards that guide our work. It ensures that every BDO team member upholds integrity, accountability, and excellence - both individually and collectively. This framework shapes how we engage with clients, stakeholders, and the wider community.
At BDO Nederland, we are more than just accountants - we are trusted advisors, business partners, and innovators committed to making a lasting impact
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