Household Staffing Agency
in Dubai
Hire Houshold Staff in Dubai with the leaders in High Net Worth domestic recruitment.
Morgan & Mallet (M&M) finds exceptional household staff for families and professionals in Dubai.
We are the leading household staff agency for placing domestic staff in Dubai such as housekeepers, nannies, butlers and private chefs, with Principles who need only the highest caliber of staff.
Our founders worked inside UHNW homes before launching the agency in 2015.
Laurine Mallet served as a nanny in London.
Morgan Richez worked as an executive butler. They built Morgan & Mallet from the staff side, understanding what Principals need before it’s said.
We place candidates who have already proved they can perform under pressure without cutting corners or creating risk.
Principals in Dubai who need household staff they can trust call us first.
Dubai
office address
48 Burj Gate, Dubai Mall Metro Station Level 20 - Downtown Dubai
Phone number
+971 58 693 2876
contact@morganmallet.agency
opening hours
Monday - Thursday : 9AM - 6PM
Friday : 9AM - 5PM
Saturday & Sunday : Closed
Why Hire Household Staff in Dubai With M&M?
Global Network
55.95% of M&M UAE chauffeur profiles are based in Dubai.
10+ Years of Expertise
58.01% of our UAE private chef profiles are based in Dubai.
Screened and Vetted
Since 2010, we have placed over 10,000 candidates globally.
Personalised Matching
Multilingual Recruiting Team - "Fluent in English, Arabic, French, Hindi, and Tagalog for Dubai's multicultural households."
Built by Former Staff Who Know What HNW Families Actually Need
Laurine Mallet and Morgan Richez grew up together in France. Laurine studied at Ferrandi culinary school in Paris. Morgan ran a luxury car rental business until a stolen Bentley shut it down.
Both relocated to London and entered private service with wealthy families. Morgan worked as a butler. Laurine worked as a nanny.
They launched M&M in London in 2015, then opened in France shortly after.Â
When their clients began leaving Europe for jurisdictions with lower tax burdens, they followed.
Families who relocated to Dubai requested M&M’s support, so the agency opened a local office at 48 Burj Gate.
M&M now operates it’s household staffing agency in Dubai, across the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, and UAE.
- Founded in 2010 with over 1,200 successful placements annually.
- Mandatory reference checks written into every contract.
- Three-month guarantee period on all placements.
- Compliance support for UAE employment law, payroll, and visa guidance.
Prime Locations for HNW Household Staffing in Dubai
Emirates Hills: Private Villas and Royal Estates
Wealth Profile
We staff properties that range from AED 16 million to over AED 100 million, featuring luxury villas with spa-level amenities.
Staffing Needs
We place nannies, housekeepers, estate managers, and private chefs here. Families expect staff who can maintain privacy, respect cultural practices, and work with family offices.
Our Dubai team has seen that many Emirates Hills households want multilingual skills from their staff, especially when it comes to roles with children.
We had a recent request in Dubai where a family specifically wanted a nanny fluent in three languages who could support their children’s British curriculum education while working with private tutors.
Downtown Dubai: Urban Luxury and Iconic Living
Wealth Profile
Here we place staff in homes typically valued between AED 4.2 million and AED 12.6 million, featuring luxury apartments with Burj Khalifa views.
Staffing Needs
Our placements here show that butlers, chauffeurs, and housekeepers are common, with families wanting support with typical city life.
Recruiters based in our Dubai office have noticed that that chauffeurs in Downtown Dubai often manage fleets of luxury vehicles while handling private jet arrivals.
Palm Jumeirah: Waterfront Estates and Beach Living
Wealth Profile
Here we recruit for properties range from AED 10.5 million to over AED 115 million, known for their waterfront villas and exclusive locations.
Staffing Needs
House managers, security personnel, private chefs, and domestic couples are typical.
We see that when European or British clients relocate to the UAE, they often prefer their private chefs to explore Asian or Arabic cuisine rather than cook the same meals they ate back home.
Japanese cuisine is particularly popular among these households.
Dubai Marina: Modern Family Living
Wealth Profile
Apartments typically range from AED 900,000 to over AED 8 million, offering modern apartments with marina views.
Staffing Needs
In Dubai Marina we se that popular roles are nannies, private chefs, and estate managers, especially for families with lots of social engagements.
We are still seeing that Filipino candidates remain highly sought after for nanny positions.
Clients consistently describe them as warm and hardworking, making them ideal for family-focused roles. We agree with this from our own experience.
Jumeirah: Traditional Elegance and Community Living
Wealth Profile
We work with Principals who own properties here that range from AED 1.16 million to AED 20 million, featuring a mix of modern and traditional architecture.
Staffing Needs
Housekeepers and personal assistants are typical, with families looking for staff who know their way around luxury properties, but can also deal with community events.
A recruiter from our Dubai branch mentioned that Jumeirah families often value staff with strong cultural awareness and discretion.
We also serve Jumeirah Bay Island, Al Barari, and Arabian Ranches, each with its own staffing requirements.
Dubai Domestic Staff Positions: What Our HNW / UHNW Families Hire
Nannies in Dubai are often hired to help with school runs to international schools.
Ellie Littlechild from our Dubai office mentions an Emirates Hills search where a family specifically asked for a nanny fluent in three languages who could support their children’s British curriculum education while working with private tutors.
M&M Agency Data:
- 16.58% of our total registered profiles are childcare specialists.
- 10.56% of childcare specialists in our database have tutor experience.
- 39.91% of M&M childcare specialists also perform housekeeping duties.
- 4.82% of our childcare specialists are traveling nannies.
Housekeepers keep clean, organized luxury villas, with many families requiring VIP-standard care.
M&M Agency Data:
85% of housekeepers placed in Dubai manage complex villas featuring delicate marble finishes and indoor gardens.
59% of our Dubai-based candidates have formal experience working within households with strict religious or cultural routines.
45.5% of M&M housekeepers are experienced head housekeepers capable of managing entire estates and larger teams.
Estate managers look after property maintenance, staff management, and household operations.
Being able to work with large multi-staff teams is an important skill for nannies here.
M&M Agency Data:
- Estate managers oversee a minimum of three properties on average.
- 95.11% of our property caretaker profiles located in the UAE are house managers.
- 9.78% of property caretaker profiles located in the UAE are estate managers.
Private chefs work with dietary requirements and host events, sometimes with international travel as well.
Ellie Littlechild again shared that many families are looking for private chefs who can travel internationally with the family, work with wellness teams for specialized dietary needs, and maintain multilingual communication.
Ellie also notes that European or British clients often prefer their chefs to explore Asian or Arabic cuisine rather than replicate home country dishes, with Japanese cuisine being particularly popular.
M&M Agency Data:
- Private chef salaries in the UAE range from AED 180,000 to AED 360,000+ for European, UK, and US candidates.
Chauffeurs are needed for commuting between emirates and handling private jet arrivals, with extreme heat driving expertise being really essential here.
We see that Indian and Pakistani nationals are the most common nationality for chauffeur roles in Dubai, with around 200 applications received per posted position.
M&M Agency Data:
- Chauffeur salaries in the UAE range from AED 140,000 to AED 230,000.
- 18.01% of chauffeur profiles in the UAE are currently based in Abu Dhabi.
Estate managers deal with property maintenance, staff management, and household operations.
M&M Agency Data:
- Estate managers normally oversee a minimum of three properties on average.
- 95.11% of our property caretaker profiles located in the UAE are house managers.
- 9.78% of property caretaker profiles located in the UAE are estate managers.
Household Staff Salaries in Dubai
Dubai has emerged as a top hub for luxury household staffing, fueled by zero income tax policy and business-friendly regulations.
A few years ago, M&M’s co-founders noticed European clients relocating to the UAE for tax efficiency and lifestyle.Â
They asked M&M to place staff in their new Dubai homes, so the agency quickly followed and opened an office at 48 Burj Gate.
The UAE’s flexible labor laws and cost-effective visa processes make household staffing more accessible than in many Western markets.Â
Dubai also offers a large pool of international candidates from across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, giving families diverse options for multilingual, experienced staff.
The table below outlines current salary expectations and recent M&M placements in the Dubai area, linking directly to our job board.
Position | Salary Range (AED) | Example Placement Made by M&M | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
Full-Time Live-Out Nanny | 216,000 – 300,000 | Newly relocated family seeks caring, experienced live-out nanny for three children including a newborn, providing full care while older children are at school and working collaboratively with mother on maternity leave. | Dubai |
Full-Time Private Pilates Instructor/Personal Trainer | 250,000 – 400,000 | Prominent UHNW couple based between Egypt and Dubai seeks highly polished, discreet pilates instructor/personal trainer with exceptional high-profile client experience for unique role involving extensive worldwide travel. | Dubai |
Full-Time Private Chef | 180,000 – 360,000 | European family relocated to Dubai seeks experienced live-in private chef who follows kosher lifestyle to prepare daily meals with fresh ingredients including special Shabbat dinners every Friday. | Palm Jumeirah |
Full-Time Live-In Nanny/Housekeeper | 180,000 – 300,000 | Family in Dubai Hills seeks experienced live-in nanny/housekeeper with proven UHNW experience for two boys aged eight and ten, combining housekeeping during school hours with childcare when children are home. | Dubai Hills |
Full-Time Nanny/Housekeeper | 180,000 – 300,000 | Description: Household in Umm Suqeim seeks reliable, organized housekeeper/nanny with primary focus on housekeeping duties and approximately 20% childcare for a two-year-old boy, maintaining high standards of cleanliness. | Umm Suqeim |
Three Mistakes That Derail Dubai Household Staff Recruitment
Finding the Right Professional Distance
A warm, respectful relationship with household staff matters. But they work for you, and keeping that boundary clear helps everyone.
Recruiters from our Dubai office note that families who blur this line often struggle when it’s time to give feedback or address performance issues.
The right balance means you can lead with kindness while still managing effectively.
Our M&M recruiters are more than happy to help you establish clear expectations that feel natural from day one.
Vague Duty Descriptions
As shared by our recruiting team at 48 Burj Gate, avoid unclear language like “light housekeeping” or “occasional travel.”
Be explicit: “Deep clean including moving furniture: once monthly” or “Travel required: approximately two weeks per month, primarily to London and Abu Dhabi.”
Ellie Littlechild from our Dubai office emphasizes that clarity around prayer time accommodations, Ramadan schedules, and gender-specific service requirements prevents misunderstandings.
Poor Contract Structure
The best contracts balance specificity with flexibility. Include clear core duties while adding language like: “Additional reasonable tasks as requested” and “Primary residence Dubai, with flexibility for family relocations within the UAE and internationally.”
Ellie Littlechild from our Dubai team notes that contracts should address multi-residence management, international travel expectations, and visa sponsorship responsibilities.
Our M&M recruiters are more than happy to help draft compliant contracts.
UAE Household Employment Laws Made Simple
The UAE has clear laws for domestic workers, covering minimum protections and fair rights. These rules, updated in recent years, ensure proper treatment and pay for household staff.
Standard work is up to 12 hours a day with rest breaks, and overtime must be paid beyond agreed hours at extra rates like basic wage plus 25%.Â
No fixed national minimum wage exists, but contracts often start around AED 2,000 monthly depending on the role, with one paid day off each week.
Live-in workers get 30 days annual leave after a year, sick pay, safe housing, food, health insurance and end-of-service benefits.Â
Employers must follow MoHRE contracts for duties, pay and disputes, banning violence and requiring workers’ compensation.
M&M offers our own payroll services in Dubai so you can hand off the whole process to us.
Note: This is general information only, not legal advice – always check with lawyers for your situation.
Dubai Hiring: Insider Knowledge from M&M
The insights below come from a call with Ellie Littlechild, an M&M recruiter based in Dubai, who previously worked as a nanny for HNW and UHNW households in England and Dubai before joining the agency as a recruiter.
Clients planning to hire need to know when the market is most active and when families travel. If they’re hiring in summer, they should expect slower response times.
If they’re hiring in September or January, they’ll have more candidates available but also more competition from other families.
M&M now starts advertising on its job board and other platforms in August, anticipating high demand in September.
This proactive approach allows the agency to build a pipeline of vetted candidates and fulfill placements faster once families return from summer travel.
This demonstrates the extreme end of the salary spectrum and shows clients what true 24/7 availability costs in the UHNW market.
Ellie once interviewed a candidate who was earning 100,000 AED per month working for a UHNW client, but that role required him to be on call 24/7, 365 days a year.
It helps clients understand the relationship between expectations and compensation, and sets a benchmark for what extreme flexibility demands.
For UHNW families, hiring a British or French butler is about representation and prestige.
But there’s a practical reason too: Western passport holders can often travel more freely with principals across multiple jurisdictions, unlike other passport holders who require visas for each destination.
This flexibility alone pushes wages up, as the butler becomes viable for international assignments without visa delays or restrictions.
Many Dubai clients tend to be more flexible with candidate nationality and location compared to families settling permanently.
They’re typically in Dubai for business expansion or tax planning, often staying two to five years before returning to Europe or the UK, so they prioritize efficiency over perfection.
It also explains why contracts need flexibility clauses for relocation and why families may value staff who can transition back to Europe with them.
Practical considerations (physical stamina for a two-year-old in Dubai heat) are valid hiring criteria. This helps clients articulate age preferences without feeling discriminatory, because it’s tied to job performance.
Specializations push wages up. A nanny with high-temperature safety training, experience managing outdoor play in 45°C heat, and knowledge of hydration protocols will command higher salaries.
Similarly, Western nannies can often command more due to passport flexibility they can travel more freely with principals to Europe, the US, or other destinations without requiring visas, unlike candidates from other regions who face visa restrictions.
Overly specific requirements (European + UAE-based + UAE license) significantly narrow the candidate pool and extend search timelines.
Ellie recalls one search that began in September and continued for months because the family wanted all three criteria met. This helps set realistic expectations about how long unique requests take.
Meet Your UAE
Regional Team
Frequently Asked
Questions
How long does it typically take to hire household staff in Dubai?
Our Dubai recruitment team notes that timelines vary significantly based on role specificity and market conditions.Â
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Standard roles like housekeepers or chauffeurs can be filled within two to four weeks when requirements are clear. However, our recruiters observe that highly specific requests can extend to several months.
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Before peak seasons, M&M often advertises positions ahead of demand because the agency is confident client requests will come in for common roles like housekeepers and chauffeurs.Â
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This comes from experience in Dubai and other markets, and is done to make hiring faster for clients when they need staff immediately.
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M&M’s reference-checking process is mandatory for every candidate before shortlisting, which our recruiters note adds thoroughness but ensures quality.
Can I hire staff who are currently outside the UAE, or do they need to already be in Dubai?
Our Dubai team reports that most applications come from candidates already based in the UAE, but they also receive resumes from India, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. Some clients are flexible with candidate location, while others specifically require UAE-based staff to avoid relocation delays.
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Morgan Richez, M&M co-founder, notes that when families relocate to Dubai and want to bring existing staff from the UK or France, M&M can assist with visa processing, medical tests, and insurance through local partners.Â
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The agency charges AED 8,500 for Dubai visa services, which is typically less expensive than families arranging it independently due to M&M’s supplier relationships and volume.
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This information is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice.
What are the visa sponsorship requirements for household staff in Dubai?
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Morgan Richez explains that to provide visas in Dubai, employers must sponsor through GDRFA and MOHRE processes, including work permits, medical tests, Emirates ID, and health insurance. M&M works with local legal partners who handle the full visa process.
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Our recruiters note that families benefit from using M&M’s payroll and visa services because the agency’s volume with suppliers results in lower costs. M&M can charge less than other companies and less than if a client did it themselves because M&M has a large volume of requests every year. The service includes organizing medical tests, insurance, and all administrative paperwork.
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This information is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice.
Do I need to provide accommodation for live-in staff, or can I give a housing allowance instead?
Morgan Richez notes that live-in accommodation must be clearly described in the contract, including what is included, what is not included, and what staff are allowed to do inside the property. There is no separate rental contract, but the employment contract should specify accommodation terms.
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Our Dubai recruiters observe that families hiring live-out staff typically provide housing allowances as part of the salary package. According to M&M agency data, chauffeur salaries in the UAE range from AED 140,000 to AED 230,000, and these figures often include accommodation considerations depending on whether the role is live-in or live-out.
What happens if a staff member wants to leave before their contract ends?
Morgan Richez explains that Dubai’s labor framework is flexible compared to European markets. In the UAE, termination can happen relatively quickly with proper notice periods and end-of-service benefits, per MOHRE rules.
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For live-in staff, Morgan notes that accommodation is a tricky issue during termination. Families cannot simply ask staff to leave the property immediately.
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Best practice is to provide at least one month’s notice to allow staff time to find alternative accommodation or another position, even after the contract has been terminated. M&M recruiters guide families on structuring contracts with clear exit terms.
How do I handle staff during Ramadan? Do I need to adjust schedules or duties?
Our Dubai recruitment team emphasizes that clarity around prayer time accommodations and Ramadan schedules prevents misunderstandings.Â
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Families should discuss expectations upfront, including whether fasting staff will have adjusted work hours, break times for iftar, and any flexibility needed for Taraweeh prayers.
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M&M recruiters note that 40.92% of childcare specialist profiles located in the UAE also perform housekeeping duties, and many of these candidates are Muslim.Â
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Families benefit from having explicit conversations about religious observance expectations during the hiring process, which our team facilitates during placement discussions.
Are background checks and reference checks different in Dubai than in the UK or US?
Our recruiters confirm that M&M follows the same reference-checking process globally, regardless of location.Â
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After interviewing candidates, recruiters check references and call previous employers, verifying ID and criminal records.Â
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The information is logged in the CRM so other recruiters don’t duplicate calls, as some references prefer not to be contacted repeatedly.
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Morgan Richez notes that M&M checks all documents including criminal records as part of standard due diligence.Â
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International references are accepted and verified, ensuring families receive the same level of vetting whether hiring in Dubai, London, or New York.
How do I terminate a staff member's employment legally in Dubai?
Morgan Richez notes that Dubai’s employment termination process is more flexible than in the UK or US. Employers can terminate staff relatively easily with proper notice, but must handle accommodation logistics professionally per MOHRE guidelines.
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For live-in staff, Morgan emphasizes that families must give adequate time, typically one month, for staff to vacate the property and find alternative housing.
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Contracts should specify notice periods, end-of-service benefits, and accommodation exit terms.
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M&M recruiters provide guidance on UAE labor law compliance and help draft contracts that protect both parties during termination scenarios.
What is M&M's step-by-step process for placing household staff?
M&M follows a structured six-step placement process built from years of experience placing candidates globally.
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- Initial Client Consultation The recruiter conducts a detailed conversation to understand the family’s needs, household structure, and expectations. Morgan Richez notes that every recruiter at M&M, whether based in New York, London, France, or Dubai, follows the same professional intake process to ensure consistency.
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- Candidate Search and Shortlisting Recruiters search M&M’s database of over 53,000 registered candidates using the agency’s custom ATS system. Our talent acquisition team continuously registers candidates for popular roles like housekeepers, chauffeurs, and butlers, ensuring a ready pipeline.
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- Candidate Interviews Selected candidates undergo thorough interviews with M&M recruiters, who assess experience, presentation, communication skills, and cultural fit for the specific household.
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- Reference and Background Checks M&M recruiters check all references, call previous employers, and verify ID and criminal records. This information is logged in the CRM so other recruiters don’t duplicate calls.
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- Video Introduction Before arranging costly travel, M&M organizes one or two video calls between the client or family office and the candidate to ensure mutual interest and compatibility.
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- Final Placement and Support Once both parties agree, M&M assists ongoing support during the placement period, with a three-month guarantee on all placements.
Talk to Dubai Recruiters Who Know the Market
Hiring the wrong staff in Dubai can unsettle children adjusting to international schools or expose your schedule to security risks.
 One poor placement creates problems that ripple through your household for months.
M&M places trusted household staff into Dubai’s most demanding homes, from Emirates Hills compounds to Palm Jumeirah waterfront properties.Â
Our recruiters understand visa sponsorship, MOHRE compliance, and Ramadan accommodations.Â
We handle reference checks, background verification, and contract structuring so you avoid the mistakes that derail placements.
M&M has placed over 10,000 candidates globally since 2010, maintaining a 96% placement success rate globally.
Contact our Dubai office at 48 Burj Gate or call +971 4 123 4567 to discuss your household staffing requirements with recruiters who know the market.