Health Insurance in Dubai & UAE: Compare Medical Insurance Plans
Health insurance covers your eligible medical expenses like consultations, diagnostics, hospitalisation, and treatment. While it is mandatory, the rules vary by emirate. You can compare policies based on premiums, hospital networks, deductibles, coverage limits, and more. Find out more about the different rules and compare plans from 35+ insurers in the UAE on Policybazaar.ae.read more
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Information on this page is for general guidance only - not personalised financial or medical advice.Compare Health Insurance Plans from 35+ Licensed Insurers
You can find basic plans, semi-comprehensive, and comprehensive private health insurance policies on Policybazaar.ae. Here are your options:
Is Health Insurance Mandatory in the UAE?
Yes, health insurance is mandatory across the UAE for all residents, domestic workers, and employees. While it covers you against unwelcome health conditions, it’s also necessary for legal purposes. Without valid health insurance, you cannot get your residency issued or renewed by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, and Port Security (ICP).
Each emirate has its own rules for medical insurance, its own scope, and regulator. The table summarises the position as of 2026:
| Emirate | Regulator | Mandatory Since | Sponsor/Self-Pay Must Cover |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | DHA (Law No.11 of 2013) | 2014 | Spouse, children, parents, domestic workers |
| Abu Dhabi | DoH | 2006 (Extended 2024) | Additional dependents, parents, domestic workers |
| Sharjah | MoHAP | January 1st 2025 | Spouse, children, parents |
| Ajman | MoHAP | January 1st 2025 | Spouse, children, parents |
| Umm Al Quwain | MoHAP | January 1st 2025 | Spouse, children, parents |
| Ras Al Khaimah | MoHAP | January 1st 2025 | Spouse, children, parents |
| Fujairah | MoHAP | January 1st 2025 | Spouse, children, parents |
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Note: Abu Dhabi is the only Emirate where employers are legally required to cover dependents.
Across all the 3 healthcare systems, a minimum annual benefit of AED 150,000 is mandatory.
Health Insurance by Emirate:
Why Buy Health Insurance Online via Policybazaar.ae?
Choosing health insurance in Dubai, UAE means finding a plan (from various options) that fits your needs. Policybazaar.ae helps you compare faster and choose with ease. Our innovations in the insurance sector and seamless comparison platform have earned us several awards, including the GAIP-InsurTek Global Shield Excellence Awards, Dubai 2025 (Broker of the Year), and the MEA Markets | Client Service Excellence Award 2025, among others.
- Compare plans from 35+ licensed insurers
- Buy health insurance on no-cost instalments via Tabby-powered BNPL service
- Make the most of 30-minute claim assistance, auto recharge benefit, and more with our exclusive PB Advantage Program
- Take advantage of our unique Health Insurance Premium Lock facility
- Get a comprehensive insurance plan that covers you both in the UAE and India
- Use a platform that 2 million+ customers trust
What Health Insurance Covers, Excludes, & Make You Wait For
Most medical insurance plans cover inpatient care, outpatient care, emergencies, and medicines, within limits. They also have waiting periods for specific pre-existing conditions and maternity.
What is Covered
- Inpatient Services: Hospital accommodation, surgery, ICU, admission, and recovery
- Outpatient Services: GP visits, diagnostics, laboratory tests, specialist consultations, and prescribed medication
- Emergency Care: Ambulance, stabilization, and emergency room treatment
- Maternity Care*: Antenatal, postnatal, delivery, and newborn cover
- Pre-existing Medical Conditions*
- Vaccines and Preventive Services
- Physiotherapy: Specific number of sessions per member (covered in some plans)
What is Not Covered
- Undeclared pre-existing conditions
- Cosmetic and elective procedures
- Growth Hormone Therapy unless medically suggested
- Services and treatments for sex transformation, contraception, or sterilization
- Injuries because of professional sports activity
- Injuries from war, terrorism, conflicts, and natural disasters
- Weight control programs or treatments
- Treatment for substance abuse
*Waiting Period
Compare plans from 35+ licensed insurers
Types of Health Insurance Plans in UAE: Basic vs Semi-Comprehensive vs Comprehensive
There are 3 main types of health insurance policies: basic, semi-comprehensive, and comprehensive. We have compared and provided a detailed overview of the three types in the table below to help you make a better decision.
| Feature | Basic Plan | Semi-comprehensive Plan | Comprehensive Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | Legal minimum compliance | Balanced cost and mid-tier care | Maximum protection and wider medical access |
| Coverage Scope | Covers essential inpatient care, emergency services, and basic legal minimums | Mid-tier hospitals + clinics | Extensive inpatient and outpatient access across premium |
| Inpatient Cover | Covered (General Ward) | Covered (Semi-private) | Private Room |
| Outpatient Treatment | Minimal/not covered | Covered with co-payment | Fully covered/minimal co-payment |
| Best For | Low-income workers and domestic workers | Individuals looking for better access than the legal minimum | Families and people seeking wider medical safety nets |
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Cheapest Health Insurance in Dubai & UAE
The basic insurance plan usually starts from AED 340 annually on Policybazaar.ae. The comprehensive plan, on the other hand, can go up to AED 12,000+ per year and may cover regional or worldwide plans. Here’s a detailed rundown of starting prices for medical insurance, emirate by emirate.
| Plans | Dubai | Abu Dhabi | Northern Emirates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | AED 725 to AED 5,945 | N/A | AED 340 to AED 1,100 |
| Semi Comprehensive | AED 1,300 to AED 6,600 | AED 1,300 to AED 8,600 | AED 1,300 to AED 6,600 |
| Comprehensive | AED 3,000 to AED 12,000 | AED 2,500 to AED 11,000 | AED 3,000 to AED 12,000 |
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Disclaimer: The actual premium varies by age, emirate, network tier, health conditions, annual limit and co-pay, and add-ons. You can also split your premium into 4 interest-free instalments with Tabby.
Tabby’s late payment terms apply.
AED 1 million Health cover starting @4/Day
Who Needs Health Insurance in UAE?
Medical insurance is mandatory throughout the UAE. The right cover depends on more than your budget. It varies by needs, age, family size, healthcare needs, preferred hospitals, and your residency status. Whether you need individual, family, or senior-citizen insurance, compare the key details before choosing a plan.
| Buyer Profile | Legal Requirement | Minimum Coverage Baseline | Who Pays the Premium? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Worker | Mandatory and covers nannies, drivers, or cook-sponsored visas | Essential Benefits Plan | The individual sponsor (employer/head of the household) |
| New to UAE/Salaried Employee | Mandatory and covers fresh residency/employment visa | Basic health scheme or an individual health insurance plan | The employer (or individual if self-sponsored) |
| Freelancers | Mandatory - required for license and Emirates ID renewal | Must meet the basic local limit or get a comprehensive health insurance policy | The freelancer absorbs 100% of the cost of the premium |
| Golden Visa Holders (Self-sponsored/investors) | Mandatory | High-tier or enhanced plans | The visa holder |
| Expat Families & Dependents | Mandatory | Minimum limit of AED 150,000; higher tiers for senior citizens | The family sponsor (employers in Abu Dhabi must cover dependents) |
| Corporate Employees | Mandatory | Standard EPB or group health insurance | The employer (cannot be legally deducted from salary) |
Note: If you are transitioning from a tourist visa to a resident visa, immigration authorities will not accept your international travel insurance policy. You must switch to a licensed UAE health insurer.
Related Health Insurance
How Does Health Insurance Dubai, UAE Work?
Health insurance in the UAE usually operates on a shared-cost model between you and the insurer. You pay the regular premium for coverage and certain out-of-pocket fees when you receive medical care.
Here’s a full rundown of how UAE health insurance works.
- You usually pay premiums annually or monthly to keep the policy active. Higher premiums typically mean lower out-of-pocket costs.
- You can visit clinics and hospitals within your insurer’s approved network list for maximum coverage.
The cost-sharing is broken down into 3 mechanisms, usually combined in comprehensive and semi-comprehensive plans.
How to Choose the Right Medical Insurance in UAE?
To choose the right medical insurance, consider your healthcare usage, employer status, family situation, and budget. That said, here’s a quick decision framework to help you decide.
- If you rarely visit the doctor, a basic health insurance plan can give you the coverage you need without overpaying. But if your family needs regular specialist visits, you'll need a broader plan. Similarly, if you travel frequently or need treatment in your home country, an international plan will work best.
- Verify your employer’s obligation. Employers across the UAE must cover employees and meet the minimum coverage requirement of AED 150,000 per year.
- Confirm that your preferred hospitals, clinics, and specialists approve the plan before you buy. The network varies by insurer and plan type.
- Check if your pre-existing medical condition is covered from day 1 or is subject to a waiting period. Most policies apply a 6- to 12-month waiting period.
- When choosing a plan, consider maternity cover. Most plans have a waiting period before the cover kicks in.
- Confirm if you can port your health insurance policy. Employer-sponsored policies usually terminate within 30 days of visa cancellation. You can often port an individual policy. But review the terms and conditions before assuming.
Buy health insurance on no-cost instalments via Tabby-powered BNPL service
How to Renew Health Insurance in UAE?
You can always bank on Policybazaar.ae to renew your health insurance. If you buy a medical policy from us, you can renew it in no time.
- Log in to your account
- On your dashboard, a list of insurance plans will appear
- Locate and select the health insurance plan that has to be renewed
- Choose the option to renew the policy and renew it
- Make the relevant customisations and follow the steps prompted to complete the renewal process
Renew the policy on time for continued coverage and to avoid a waiting period. Remember, your health insurance is also required to issue and renew your residence visa. Keep the policy active!
How Does a Health Insurance Claim Work in UAE?
You can apply for health insurance claims in 2 ways: direct (cashless) claims and reimbursement claims. Both ways come in handy in different scenarios. Here’s how the two work.
Check whether your hospital is in your insurer’s network before selecting between cashless and reimbursement claims. This one step can save you tedious paperwork.
If you get stuck anywhere in the claim process, you can connect with Policybazaar.ae’s claim assistance team!
Download Claim GuideHealth Insurance TPA - Third Party Administrator in UAE
Health Insurance Glossary
New to the UAE or the health insurance world? Here are some terms you should familiarise yourself with to make better decisions and avoid unexpected costs.
- Premium:
- The amount you pay to get a health insurance policy
- Deductible:
- A fixed amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance covers the cost
- Co-payment:
- A small amount you pay for a service
- Network:
- A group of hospitals and clinics that your insurer works with
- Pre-existing Condition:
- A health issue you had before getting a new insurance policy
- Waiting Period:
- The duration in which pre-existing conditions, maternity, or some other services are not covered
Show all 18 terms
- Sum Insured:
- The total coverage amount your insurer will pay annually for your medical expenses
- Third-party Administrator (TPA):
- Agencies that are responsible for coordinating and managing medical insurance claims and related services
- Grace Period:
- The additional time you get to renew your policy once it expires (usually up to 30 days)
- In-patient Services:
- It covers medical expenses that occur when you get admitted to hospital and stay overnight
- Outpatient Treatment:
- It covers medical expenses for day care procedures
- No Claim Bonus:
- A reward for not availing the claim during the medical insurance period; it usually accumulates in the form of increased coverage
- Claims:
- A request you make to your insurance company to pay for medical bills
- Coverage Limit:
- The maximum amount the insurer will pay for certain services
- Cashless Claims:
- Where your insurer directly pays your medical bills to the hospital
- Reimbursement:
- Where you pay the medical bills first and then submit proof to the insurer to get compensation
- Add-ons/Optional Covers:
- Additional features or covers you can include in your policy by paying an extra premium
- Policy Exclusions:
- Services that are not covered under your health insurance
Frequently Asked Questions
Is health insurance mandatory in UAE?
Yes, health insurance is mandatory across the UAE. It is needed for visa issuance and renewal.
Does my employer have to cover my family?
This is not mandatory across all the emirates. For instance, in Abu Dhabi, the employer needs to cover the employee’s spouse and up to 3 children. But in Dubai, the sponsor pays for the dependents.
Are pre-existing conditions covered?
Yes, pre-existing medical conditions are covered only when they are declared and the waiting period ends.
Does health insurance cover maternity in the UAE?
Yes, health insurance covers maternity after a waiting period of 45 days to 12 months. It covers normal delivery, C-section, prenatal care, postnatal care, and newborn cover.
Do freelancers need medical cover in UAE?
Yes, freelancers need medical insurance to issue or renew their visas. Since they do not have an employer providing group coverage, they need to buy an individual health plan.
What happens to my health insurance if I leave my job?
Employer-sponsored coverage largely depends on your employment arrangement. Once you leave your job, check the policy’s end date and whether you need individual cover. Don’t assume that your employer’s group benefit will continue automatically.
When is health insurance more expensive when I have a pre-existing condition?
Health insurance costs more for pre-existing conditions when insurers apply a premium loading during underwriting. Always disclose requested medical information accurately rather than assuming a condition doesn't need to be disclosed.
Is basic health insurance enough in the UAE?
It is usually not enough. It has strict financial caps, a limited health provider network, and exclusions for specialised care. While a basic plan satisfies the legal visa requirements, whether it is enough depends on your personal health, family situation, and which emirate you live in.
Can I use any hospital with my health insurance?
No, you cannot use any hospital with your health insurance. Your access depends on the specific healthcare provider network tied to your policy.
How much health insurance coverage do I need?
The minimum requirement is AED 150,000 per year (under a basic medical plan). However, it’s advisable not to limit yourself to the basic plan. Consider factors like your health, family status, budget, and hospital network before deciding.
Can I have more than one health insurance in UAE?
Yes, you can have more than one health insurance in Dubai and the northern Emirates. However, Abu Dhabi is an exception. You would need to cancel the existing policy to get the new plan in Abu Dhabi.
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