Health Insurance in the UAE: Rules by Emirate, Costs & FAQs (2026)

Quick answer: Health insurance is compulsory in every emirate of the UAE. It applies to all residents in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. In the Northern Emirates, it has applied to private-sector employees and domestic workers since 1 January 2025. For the people covered by these rules, a valid policy is needed to issue or renew a residence visa. Which rules apply depends on the emirate that issued your visa:

  • Dubai: the Dubai Health Authority (DHA).
  • Abu Dhabi: the Department of Health (DoH).
  • Northern Emirates (Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah): the federal scheme run with MOHRE.

This guide explains who has to insure whom, what the minimum plans cover, what the terms mean (co-pay, network, TPA, waiting period), and how to compare individual and family health insurance. Compare individual and family health insurance plans on insuringU.

UAE health insurance: key facts

  • Dubai (Law No. 11 of 2013): employers must insure their employees and cannot charge them for it. Sponsors must insure their dependants, such as a spouse, children, parents and domestic workers.
  • Dubai fine: AED 500 per month for each person who is not insured.
  • Dubai Essential Benefits Plan (EBP): the minimum plan for employees earning AED 4,000 a month or less. It has an annual limit of AED 150,000 per person.
  • Abu Dhabi (Law No. 23 of 2005): employers insure their employees. UAE nationals are covered by Thiqa. The fine is AED 300 per month for each person who is not insured.
  • Northern Emirates: basic cover has been compulsory for private-sector employees and domestic workers since 1 January 2025. It costs about AED 320 a year for people aged 1–64.
  • Visa link: for the people covered by these rules, a residence permit cannot be issued or renewed without valid insurance.

Who has to pay for health insurance in the UAE?

Employees. In Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates, the employer must provide at least the basic level of cover for its employees and must pay for it. In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, charging an employee for this cover can bring a fine of AED 10,000 per employee.

Spouse, children, parents and domestic workers. In Dubai, whoever sponsors the visa must insure them. That is usually the employee, not the employer, unless the employment contract says otherwise. Abu Dhabi's law was written to include a spouse and up to three children under the employer's duty, so check your contract. In the Northern Emirates, the employer's duty covers only the employee.

Self-sponsored residents, investors and freelancers have to buy their own policy. It must meet the rules of the emirate that issued the visa.

What do the basic plans cover?

Dubai Essential Benefits Plan (EBP)

  • Annual limit of AED 150,000 per person.
  • 20% co-pay on inpatient treatment, capped at AED 500 per visit and AED 1,000 a year.
  • 20% co-pay on outpatient visits. A follow-up visit within 7 days is free.
  • 30% co-pay on medicines.
  • Maternity is covered, with a 10% co-pay.
  • Newborns are covered for 30 days under the mother's policy.
  • Pre-existing conditions are covered after 6 months of first joining UAE health insurance.

Northern Emirates basic plan (about AED 320 a year)

  • 20% co-pay on inpatient treatment, capped at AED 500 per visit and AED 1,000 a year.
  • 25% co-pay on outpatient visits, capped at AED 100 per visit.
  • 30% co-pay on medicines, with an annual medicines limit of AED 1,500.
  • Telehealth consultations have no co-pay.
  • Chronic and pre-existing conditions are covered from day one.
  • Pregnancy, childbirth and dental are not covered. The official WHI basic plan lists limits of AED 50,000 for inpatient care and AED 10,000 for outpatient care.

Basic plans meet the law, but they come with restricted networks and higher co-pays. Enhanced plans offer wider hospital networks, lower co-pays, higher limits, and dental, optical or maternity benefits. The price rises with each of these.

Health insurance terms you need to know

  • Network: the hospitals, clinics and pharmacies where you can get cashless (direct billing) treatment. Check that your preferred hospital is on the network before you choose a plan. You can search provider networks on insuringU.
  • TPA (third-party administrator): the company that manages approvals, the network and claims for the insurer. Examples are NAS, Neuron, NextCare, MedNet and Almadallah.
  • Co-pay (co-insurance): the share of each bill you pay yourself, usually a percentage with a cap.
  • Deductible: a fixed amount you pay per visit or per claim before the insurer pays.
  • Waiting period: a time after joining during which certain benefits, such as maternity or pre-existing conditions, are not yet covered. For maternity it is usually 6–12 months, depending on the plan.
  • Annual limit: the most the plan pays per person per policy year.
  • Territorial scope: where you are covered, for example UAE only, the UAE plus your home country, or worldwide.

How much does health insurance cost in the UAE?

The basic Northern Emirates plan costs about AED 320 a year. Dubai EBP plans are priced within bands set by the DHA. Enhanced individual and family plans cost more. The price depends on:

  • the age of each person covered;
  • the emirate of the visa;
  • the network tier;
  • the co-pay level;
  • maternity and dental options;
  • territorial scope;
  • declared medical history.

Health insurance is subject to 5% VAT. For a real price, compare quotes for your exact family.

How to compare health insurance plans

  1. Start from the emirate of your visa. The plan must meet that emirate's rules.
  2. Check the network first: your GP, your hospital, and the pharmacy you use.
  3. Compare the total cost of the policy, not just the premium. Look at the co-pays and caps, the pharmacy limit and the deductibles as well.
  4. Read the maternity waiting period and pre-existing condition terms if they apply to you.
  5. Keep your cover continuous. A gap can restart waiting periods and create visa problems.

Get individual and family health insurance quotes on insuringU. You can see plans from UAE insurers side by side, with their networks and benefits.

Frequently asked questions

Is health insurance mandatory in the UAE?

Yes. It is compulsory in Dubai under Law No. 11 of 2013, in Abu Dhabi under Law No. 23 of 2005, and in the Northern Emirates for private-sector employees and domestic workers since 1 January 2025. A valid policy is needed to issue or renew a residence visa.

What is the fine for not having health insurance in Dubai?

AED 500 per month for each person who is not insured. Employers also face an AED 10,000 fine per employee for charging an employee for their mandatory cover.

What is the AED 320 health insurance?

It is the basic plan for private-sector workers and domestic workers on visas issued in the Northern Emirates. It costs about AED 320 a year for ages 1–64. It covers chronic and pre-existing conditions from day one but excludes maternity and dental. It cannot be used for Dubai or Abu Dhabi visas.

Does my employer have to cover my family?

In Dubai, no. The sponsor, usually the employee, must insure their dependants. In Abu Dhabi, the law as written includes a spouse and up to three children, so check your contract. In the Northern Emirates, the employer's duty covers only the employee.

Does UAE health insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

Yes, subject to the plan's terms. The Dubai EBP covers them after 6 months from first joining UAE insurance. The Northern Emirates basic plan covers them from day one. Enhanced plans vary, so declare your conditions honestly when you apply.

What is the maternity waiting period?

Usually 6–12 months from the start of the policy, depending on the insurer and plan. Maternity is included in Dubai and Abu Dhabi basic plans but not in the Northern Emirates basic plan.

Is dental covered?

Basic plans usually cover only emergency dental treatment. Routine dental and optical care come with enhanced plans or as add-ons.

Can I use a Dubai health insurance policy in Abu Dhabi?

That depends on the network and the territorial scope of the plan. Many plans cover the whole UAE. Basic plans are often restricted to providers in the emirate that issued the visa.

Can I buy health insurance for my parents in the UAE?

Yes. Parents on your sponsorship must be insured. Older parents cost more to insure, and some plans have age limits or ask for medical declarations. Compare these carefully.

Related guides

Sources

Last reviewed: 29 September 2026. This guide is general information, not advice on a specific policy. Benefits, limits and prices change, so always read the plan's table of benefits before you buy. insuringU is a brand of Affinity International Insurance Prices Comparison L.L.C., Dubai trade licence 1352749, licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE as an insurance price comparison website.