Health insurance in Dubai: How to choose the right plan

If you’re an expat in Dubai, you’ll almost certainly need UAE private health insurance. But here’s the good news: If you’re an employee, this has to be provided by your employer.

On the surface, this can make health insurance in Dubai look like a settled issue. After all, you have to have it, and your employer has to offer it. But in truth, the situation is more complex. In fact, there are many situations in which your employer-provided insurance might not provide the coverage you need.

So how do you know what coverage you might need? And how do you choose the best health insurance in the UAE for your situation? Here, we explain everything you need to know.

How does healthcare in Dubai work?

In the UAE, hospitals and medical practices are either private or public. Public healthcare is overseen by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). It's mostly for UAE citizens; they get it free or with a large discount.

For expats, however, private healthcare is the default setting. In fact, it’s a requirement of the residence visa, which we’ll discuss in more detail below. Most expats in Dubai get basic health insurance through their employer. However, this doesn’t cover everything – so you may need to explore additional coverage elsewhere.

Abu Dhabi vs Dubai: How does healthcare differ?

Abu Dhabi and Dubai have different healthcare systems. This means there are some important differences in Abu Dhabi that you should be aware of.

In Abu Dhabi, healthcare is managed by the Department of Health. Health insurance is largely provided through Daman, the emirate’s national insurer. Public healthcare is provided through the Thiqa program, which is available to UAE nationals.

For health insurance, there are some minor differences vs. Dubai. In Abu Dhabi, employers have to insure employees’ dependents, as well as the employee themselves.

On quality of care, both emirates offer world-class private facilities. Abu Dhabi is home to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, a flagship quaternary hospital. Mediclinic also operates extensively across both emirates.

Dubai hosts international hospitals such as Saudi German Hospital and King's College Hospital London Dubai. Private hospitals in both emirates usually offer shorter wait times than public providers.

Healthcare requirements for residence visa

If you’re looking to enter Dubai under a residence visa, your employer will have to offer basic health insurance as part of your employment. These employer-sponsored programs are known as essential benefits plans (EBPs).

Mandatory health insurance isn’t new in Dubai. It’s been a condition of living and working here since 2014, under Dubai Law No. 11 of 2013 – and without it, you can’t get or renew a residence visa. The recent change came in January 2025, when a federal rule extended mandatory coverage to the five northern emirates (Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah). So if you’re in Dubai, this requirement already applies to you, whether you’re a new applicant or renewing an existing permit.

By law, the EBP must offer the following coverage:

• Inpatient treatment
• GP visits and outpatient care
• Routine tests like X-rays and blood tests
• Acute emergency care
• Prescribed medications
• Maternity services

There are also several additional requirements:

• You might need to pay a share of your costs upfront (called a co-pay). This is 20% for hospital stays and outpatient visits, and 30% for medication.
• The 20% co-pay is capped at AED 500 per encounter and AED 1,000 per year – above that, the insurer covers 100% of the cost. Medication has a separate annual limit of AED 1,500. The overall plan covers up to AED 150,000 per year.
• Pre-existing and chronic conditions must be covered, though they can be excluded for the first 6 months of your first-ever UAE policy. Even during that window, if a chronic condition becomes an emergency, it must be covered.
• The insurance policy must be valid for two years. The second year is refundable if the visa is canceled.
• Employers are not required to offer coverage for dependents. If you are bringing children or a spouse, you must purchase additional private insurance to cover them – unless they’re also covered by their own EBP. This is different from other regions in the UAE (such as Abu Dhabi), where employers are required to cover dependents. However, employers may choose to extend coverage.

In addition, you’ll also need a Medical Fitness Certificate before your visa is approved. This is because the UAE wants to ensure new residents in the country do not bring contagious diseases, such as TB, HIV, or hepatitis. If you test positive for any of these conditions, you are unlikely to be granted entry.

Health insurance in Dubai: What are the main options?

There are several different types of private health insurance in the UAE and Dubai, including your EBP. Here are some of the main options:

• Employer-provided insurance: This refers to insurance provided by employers. The details in the last section are essentially a baseline. However, employers may choose to offer more expansive coverage. Therefore, not all EBPs are identical.
• Private health insurance: Here, we’re talking about any private insurance that isn’t offered by your employer. Many employees will purchase supplementary or “top-up” insurance to extend their coverage. This may include treatments like cosmetic surgery, fertility treatments, vision, and dental care. Otherwise, this is the default option for anybody not covered by an EBP. This includes freelancers, investors, dependents, and retirees.
• International health insurance: This refers to any health insurance that offers coverage in multiple countries. These options are preferred by expats, travelers, and anybody who spends significant time abroad.

Here’s a quick overview of the main similarities and differences between these options:

* Employers may go beyond the minimum coverage, but this is optional.
** Waiting periods generally apply. Pregnancy cannot occur before the policy starts.

This table presents the coverage you’re most likely to receive in each plan. In reality, terms will differ between regions and plans/providers. Check the details in your local area thoroughly before purchasing insurance.

How to choose the right health insurance in Dubai

Are you wondering what policy you need? If so, there are a number of questions you should ask:

1. What is your EBP coverage? Employers must provide a baseline level of health insurance coverage. However, they may choose to offer more expansive policies, in order to better attract and retain employees. It’s important to understand the details of your existing policy, to avoid paying for the same coverage twice.
2. Does your plan cover you outside the UAE? International coverage isn’t a requirement, even for expats. But if you regularly travel between the UAE and other countries, it can be very helpful.
3. What happens if you change jobs or leave? If you change jobs or leave the country, there’s a good chance your EBP will no longer apply. Investing in private or international insurance can ensure you’re covered through the transition.
4. Are dependents covered? Employers do not have to cover dependents through your EBP. If you have dependents, you must ensure they are covered under an additional private plan. In this case, a family plan or something similar is often the best approach.
5. What are the waiting periods for maternity/dental? Most private healthcare policies only offer maternity and dental coverage after a waiting period. If you’re likely to need this coverage sooner than this, you might need to pay out-of-pocket. It’s important to understand these considerations before buying the policy.

The right choice for you will depend on the answers to these questions. Here’s an overview of common options to help you decide the right approach:

How to get health insurance in the UAE

Next, it’s helpful to consider how to apply for expat health insurance in Dubai. Here are some tips:

• Choose the right plan: If you have employer-provided coverage, additional insurance is optional. However, it can help avoid out-of-pocket costs for treatment like dental and vision – which can be expensive if you’re not covered. International coverage is also highly recommended for expats who spend time in several countries.
• Decide who needs insurance: If you’re the only person who needs to be covered, this is fairly straightforward. But dependents will need to be insured separately – so it’s important to understand how many people need insurance. Purchasing a family or group plan can often be more cost-effective in this case.
• Apply online: Most insurers offer straightforward digital applications. Here, you’ll just need to fill out your details and requirements, and you should quickly receive a digital quote. Consider getting a quote from multiple providers to compare the premiums and coverage details.
• Get policy documentation: You will need to provide a certificate to demonstrate you have the required level of private insurance. Most providers will offer this as standard, but it’s important to check.

At Feather, we think health insurance for expats should be easy. That’s because we’re expats ourselves – and we’ve learned the hard way that it can be much more complicated than it needs to be.

Instead, we offer straightforward coverage that’s designed to meet visa requirements. And if you’re confused about your situation, our friendly support team will answer your questions and give you peace of mind. Most importantly, we don’t introduce age limits for our plans – perfect for retirees and expats on a golden visa.