DEWA slab rates (residential, expatriates)
| Electricity per month | Rate |
|---|---|
| 0–2,000 kWh | 23 fils / kWh |
| 2,001–4,000 kWh | 28 fils / kWh |
| 4,001–6,000 kWh | 32 fils / kWh |
| 6,001– and above | 38 fils / kWh |
| Water per month | Rate |
|---|---|
| 0–27 m³ | AED 7.70 / m³ |
| 27–54 m³ | AED 8.80 / m³ |
| 54– and above | AED 10.12 / m³ |
Each slab only applies to the units inside it. 2,500 kWh is billed as 2,000 kWh at 23 fils plus 500 kWh at 28 fils, not all at 28 fils. One cubic metre is about 220 imperial gallons, the unit older DEWA bills use for water.
Other charges on the bill
- Fuel surcharge – an extra amount per kWh and per unit of water that DEWA revises from time to time; the current figure is printed on your bill.
- Meter charges – a fixed monthly amount depending on the size of your electricity and water meters.
- VAT – 5% on DEWA’s own charges.
- Sewerage fee – 2 fils per gallon of water used in 2026, collected for Dubai Municipality.
- Housing fee – 5% of your annual rent ÷ 12, for tenants.
Example
A one-bedroom flat uses 1,500 kWh and 5,000 gallons of water in a month, with rent of AED 90,000 a year. Electricity comes to about AED 345, water about AED 175, and the housing fee AED 375. With the fuel surcharge, meter charges, VAT and sewerage the total is roughly AED 1,150 – the housing fee alone is about a third of it.
Rates are taken from published DEWA and Dubai Municipality tariffs and may change. UAE nationals pay lower slab rates. Your actual bill on the DEWA app or website is the final figure.
Planning a move? Compare costs with the rent vs buy calculator and check your commute with the Salik toll calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How is the DEWA bill calculated?
Electricity and water are charged in slabs: the more you use in a month, the higher the rate for the extra units. DEWA then adds a fuel surcharge per unit, fixed meter charges and 5% VAT. Dubai Municipality’s sewerage fee and the 5% housing fee for tenants are collected on the same bill.
What are the DEWA electricity slab rates?
For expatriate homes: 23 fils per kWh for the first 2,000 kWh a month, 28 fils for 2,001–4,000, 32 fils for 4,001–6,000 and 38 fils above 6,000 kWh, plus the fuel surcharge.
Why is my DEWA bill so high in summer?
Air conditioning. Usage often doubles or triples between May and September, and bigger bills push more units into the higher slabs. Setting the AC to 24°C, cleaning filters and closing blinds in the day all help.
What is the housing fee on my DEWA bill?
Tenants in Dubai pay a Dubai Municipality housing fee of 5% of their annual rent, split into monthly amounts on the DEWA bill. It is based on the rent in your Ejari contract.
What is the average DEWA bill for an apartment?
Roughly AED 300–700 a month for a one-bedroom apartment and AED 600–1,500 for a villa, including the housing fee. It depends heavily on the season, the size of the home and your rent.
Last reviewed: October 2026