What's the Min & Max Age Limit to Get Health Insurance?

Health insurance is a necessity in the UAE. It keeps you — whether an expat or Emirati — financially protected against medical uncertainties. From newborns to elderly individuals, there’s room for everyone under the healthcare umbrella, provided they fall within the officially accepted age limit for health insurance. 

But what exactly are those age restrictions?

Let’s explore the minimum and maximum age for medical insurance in UAE, including key insights on when you should ideally get covered.

Minimum Age Limit to Buy Health Insurance in the UAE

In the UAE, the minimum age to get health insurance is 0 (zero). 

Yes, you read that right — newborn babies are eligible for insurance from the moment they are born. Parents can buy an individual health plan for their child. In fact, in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, it's mandatory for residents to get health coverage for their dependents — including babies — within 30 days of birth.

Why is this important?

In those first few months, infants require frequent medical checkups, vaccinations, and, potentially, emergency care. Early coverage confirms that these costs are managed with minimal financial strain.

So, when it comes to the health insurance age limit, the bar starts at birth — literally!

Maximum Age Limit to Buy Health Insurance in the UAE

Now, let’s talk about the other end of the scale: the maximum age for health insurance in the UAE. Fortunately, the UAE’s insurance framework is relatively inclusive. 

Most health insurers in the UAE provide plans up to the age of 99 years. That’s right—you can get medical coverage even if you’re nearing a century in age.

However, not all insurance plans are created equal. While some insurers offer policies up to 60 or 65 years of age as part of regular plans, others may require a special ‘senior citizen’ policy once the individual crosses that threshold. These senior plans might come with slightly higher premiums due to increased health risks in older age.

Yet, the important point is this: health insurance age limit does not mean exclusion from coverage — it simply means you may need a tailored plan as you grow older.

What is the Right Age to Buy Health Insurance Plans in the UAE?

This is one of the most common questions. 

The answer is simple: the sooner, the better.

Buying medical insurance at a younger age has multiple benefits —

1. Lower Premiums: Younger, healthier individuals are considered low-risk, which translates to cheaper premiums
2. No Waiting Period Hassles: Many plans have a waiting period for pre-existing conditions — starting early allows you to get past that period before serious health concerns arise
3. More Plan Choices: At a younger age, you qualify for a wider range of options — comprehensive coverage, maternity benefits, and so on

Understanding the Medical Age Limit for Dependents

In the UAE, health insurance rules are unique compared to many other countries. One of the key distinctions is that each individual is required to have their own health coverage plan, regardless of whether they are considered a dependent or not. 

This means that dependents like children, spouses, and even elderly parents must be insured under separate policies, rather than as extensions of another person’s coverage.

Due to this structure, most insurance providers in the UAE don’t enforce a strict medical age limit for dependents. In fact, many insurers are open to providing coverage to spouses and parents of any age — up to 99 years old. Beyond the age of 99, however, the decision to issue a policy is generally left to the insurer's discretion and may depend on the individual's health condition and risk profile.

Understanding Coverage for Children

That said, there are certain exceptions when it comes to insuring children. Since health plans are issued on an individual basis, children cannot be added as dependents to a parent’s policy — you need to get separate plans for them as a sponsor.

Some insurers allow you to get health policies for children up to the age of 18 years (or even 22 years, in some cases) without getting a policy for yourself from the same company. Others, however, may require you to get coverage from the same insurance company if you wish to get a separate plan for your child.

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