Where I Can Live
Flag of Bahrain

Middle East · Arabic, English · updated 2026-10

Moving to Bahrain: visas, cost of living & citizenship

A single person needs about $1,550 a month to live in Manama, and a family of four about $3,300, including rent. Bahrain has no standard route to permanent residence, with citizenship after 25 yrs, and dual citizenship is not allowed. You can move here without a job offer through the Golden Residency (retirees) and the Golden Residency (residents).

Monthly budget
$1,550
Very low cost
Safety
81
Very safe
Stability
48
Moderate
Family
63
Very good
Main city
Manama
Language
Arabic, English
Permanent residence
No standard route
Citizenship
25 yrs
Dual citizenship
Not allowed
Digital nomad visa
No
What can your passport do in Bahrain?Pick your nationality to see your exact access, visit rules and personal score.
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Cost of living in Bahrain, per month in US$

One person
$1,550
Family of four
$3,300
RentGroceriesTransportUtilities & internetEating out & leisureOther
1-bed flat, Manama centre
$800
Estimate
3-bed family flat
$1,500
Estimate
Price level
49
US = 100
Income per person
$2,399
GNI ÷ 12, World Bank

Safety

Safety score
81
Very safe
Homicides per 100k
0.2
US 5.8 · UK 1.0 · Japan 0.2

Political stability & governance

Political stability−0.33
Rule of law+0.18
Control of corruption+0.28
Government effectiveness+0.42
−2.5 weak0strong +2.5

Worldwide Governance Indicators, World Bank. Moderate overall (48/100).

Family-friendliness

Family score
63
Very good
Child outcomes (HCI)
0.652
Health & schooling, 0–1
Under-5 mortality
8.8
per 1,000 births
Life expectancy
81.4 yrs
at birth
Health spending
$1,176
per person / year
Education spending
1.9%
of GDP

Visa & residence routes

Passive income
Golden Residency (retirees)BHD 4,000/month (about $10,600) retirement income.
Talent
Golden Residency (residents)After 5 years in Bahrain on BHD 2,000+/month.
Job offer
Work permit (LMRA)Employer-sponsored.
Investment
Golden Residency (property)BHD 130,000 (about $345,000) in property.

Who gets easier access to Bahrain

GCC citizens can live and work across Gulf Cooperation Council states.

Flag of KuwaitKuwaitFlag of OmanOmanFlag of QatarQatarFlag of Saudi ArabiaSaudi ArabiaFlag of the United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates

Visiting: 5 passports can visit visa-free, 0 with an electronic travel authorisation, 66 get a visa on arrival, 126 can apply for an eVisa and 1 need a visa in advance (Passport Index dataset).

Road to permanent residence & citizenship

ArriveCitizen 25y024681012+ yrs
Permanent residence
No standard route
Golden Residency is 10 years, renewable
Citizenship
25 yrs
15 for Arab nationals; rarely granted
Dual citizenship
Not allowed

No personal income tax.

Last checked 2026-10. Official source: www.npra.gov.bh

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to live in Bahrain?

About $1,550 a month for one person and $3,300 for a family of four in Manama, including rent. A city-centre 1-bedroom flat costs around $800 a month and a 3-bedroom around $1,500. Prices are 49% of US levels. Bahrain is the 33rd cheapest of the 76 countries in the index.

Is Bahrain safe to live in?

Bahrain scores 81/100 for safety (very safe), ranking 11th of 76. The homicide rate is 0.2 per 100,000 people (US 5.8, UK 1.0, Japan 0.2).

Is Bahrain politically stable?

Bahrain scores 48/100 for stability (moderate), ranking 55th of 76, based on the World Bank's indicators for political stability, rule of law, control of corruption and government effectiveness.

Is Bahrain good for families?

Bahrain scores 63/100 for family-friendliness (very good), ranking 41st of 76. Life expectancy is 81.4 years and under-5 mortality is 8.8 per 1,000 births.

How long does it take to get permanent residence in Bahrain?

There is no standard route to permanent residence. Golden Residency is 10 years, renewable.

How long until I can become a citizen of Bahrain?

Usually 25 yrs of residence. 15 for Arab nationals; rarely granted. Dual citizenship: not allowed.

Can I move to Bahrain without a job offer?

Yes. Golden Residency (retirees): BHD 4,000/month (about $10,600) retirement income. Golden Residency (residents): After 5 years in Bahrain on BHD 2,000+/month.

Who can live and work in Bahrain without a visa?

GCC citizens can live and work across Gulf Cooperation Council states. (Gulf Cooperation Council: United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia.)

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See also: cheapest countries to live · safest countries · most stable countries · best countries for families · where citizens of Bahrain can move