International health insurance in Dubai
Health insurance for expats & foreigners
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Visa-compliant coverage
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Why get private health insurance in the UAE?
The UAE has some of the best private hospitals in the world, with more internationally accredited facilities than any other country. But there's no free public healthcare for expats.
And since January 2025, private health insurance is mandatory across all seven emirates for every residency permit. In Dubai, letting it lapse costs you a fine of AED 500 (€118) a month.
How the UAE healthcare system works
The UAE's public health system
There's no single national system: each emirate runs its own health authority, so Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the northern emirates work a little differently. The public scheme covers only Emirati nationals.
As an expat, you can buy a Health Card (around AED 300 / €70 a year) for reduced fees at public facilities. But it leaves a lot out (no pharmacy, specialist, or maternity care).
Pharmacies & medication
Pharmacies are everywhere, and staff speak both Arabic and English. Hospital pharmacies are open 24/7; local ones usually until 10 pm or midnight. Careful: antibiotics and antidepressants are prescription-only, and many common medicines (like codeine and tramadol) are tightly controlled. Carrying them without a prescription can result in a fine of AED 5,000 (€1,180), or worse.
Emergency services in the UAE
Dial 999 for general emergencies or 998 for an ambulance. Response times are quick in the cities — about 7.5 min in Dubai and under 9 in Abu Dhabi. Dispatchers handle English on request. By law, every hospital must stabilize emergency patients regardless of insurance. If you're hospitalized, it's worth letting your embassy know.
What expats need health insurance?
Digital nomads
Dubai's remote-work visa requires cover that names the UAE specifically — travel policies won't be accepted.
Retirees
On the five-year retirement visa, you must arrange coverage. Over 60? Plans cost AED 18,500+ (€4,365) a year.
Families
The "basic mandatory plan" only covers about AED 7,000 (€1,650) for a birth, but delivery costs AED 16,500+ (€3,895).
Gap year & job seekers
Employer cover ends the day your job does (no grace period). Dubai fines uninsured residents AED 500 (€118) a month.
Students
Students require insurance, but university plans only start once your Emirates ID is issued, leaving a gap upon arrival.
Visa applicants
Insurance is mandatory for all visas, with the Golden Visa requiring at least AED 150,000 (€35,400) in cover.
Get global health insurance that works in the UAE
Plans from €80.5/month. Set up online in minutes.
How much is health insurance in Dubai?
Without cover, costs add up fast. A private GP visit runs about AED 350 (€83), and a day in hospital costs around AED 3,250 (€765).
Public healthcare in the UAE
There's no payroll-based public system here. You can buy a Health Card (AED 300 / €70 a year) for reduced fees at public facilities. For example, GP visits drop to AED 50 (€12). But it doesn't cover pharmacy, specialists, maternity, dental, or optical care.
Private medical insurance
Our plans start at €80.50/month for Essential and €120.75/month for Plus. You'll get outpatient and inpatient care, plus extras like dental, mental health, maternity, and medical evacuation.
Visa & health insurance requirements for the UAE
Since January 1, 2025, private health insurance has been mandatory for all UAE residency permits across all seven emirates. Your policy must explicitly name the UAE, and Dubai's Golden Visa requires a minimum coverage of AED 150,000.
Accepted for all major Dubai visas
Both Feather plans meet the requirements in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the northern emirates. Including, the Golden Visa, Green Visa, remote work, retirement, job seeker, and student visas.
Documents ready when you are
Your proof of cover, in English and Arabic, lands in your account the moment you sign up, accepted by the UAE's immigration and health authorities.
How does Feather's international health insurance work?
Choose your plan
Compare Essential and Plus, pick your deductible, and sign up in under 5 minutes. No paperwork, no medical exams.
Get your documents instantly
Your confirmation and visa-ready proof-of-coverage documents land in your account straight away.
Visit any doctor
See any licensed doctor, specialist, or hospital in the UAE. No referrals, no network restrictions, no pre-approval.
Upload your bill in the app
Already paid? Open the Feather app, snap a photo of your invoice, and submit your claim in under a minute.
Get reimbursed to your account
We review your claim and reimburse you directly to your bank account. Most claims are processed within two weeks.
Cancel anytime after year one
There's a one-year minimum term. After that, cancel whenever you want. No penalties.
Join 200,000+ expats covered with Feather
Get global medical coverage in under 5 minutes.
Why choose Feather?
200,000+ happy customers
Experience insurance crafted by expats, for expats.
100,000+ claims processed
Paid out in three weeks on average.
4.8 Star rating
On over 2,500 reviews.
English-speaking support
Our team speaks your language.
All digital
Sign up, file claims, and manage your policy in our app.
Privacy first
Your data is stored securely in Europe.
Don't take our word for it
Dajana was amazing
“She answered all our questions and provided clear and detailed responses to ensure we select the proper coverage. The whole experience was perfect! I am confident I made the right choice going with Feather!”
Mascia
I trust them. No BS.
“They don't sugar coat the insurances, if they don't provide the best option, they would help you understand what's the best one.”
Michal
Super helpful
“The representative answered my questions clearly and helped me make sure I was aware of my options! This was the perfect fit for my situation as an expat looking for a job in Spain and needing temporary coverage.”
Erin
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Takes 2 minutes. From €80.5 per month. 4.8/5 rated on over 2,500 reviews.
