Health Insurance UAE

Public healthcare in the UAE is overseen by the health authorities of the seven Emirates and includes government hospitals, specialist centres and primary healthcare clinics. The structure and regulation of services can vary between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, for example. But the overall standard of care is generally high, and facilities are well-organised. This difference in structure could mean that insurance valid in Dubai is not valid in Abu Dhabi.

UAE nationals usually access public healthcare through government-funded health insurance schemes that provide free or heavily subsidised treatment at public hospitals and clinics. These schemes typically cover GP appointments, hospital treatment, maternity care, emergency services, specialist consultations and many prescription medications. The exact scheme depends on the Emirate. For example, residents of Abu Dhabi may be covered under Thiqa, while in Dubai, they may be covered under ENAYA. Many nationals will use private care alongside this for faster access to specialists, private hospitals and a wider choice of treatment options.

UAE nationals typically receive free or heavily subsidised treatment through the public system, whereas expats can only access public facilities if they hold a UAE health card. This doesn’t provide free treatment, but instead gives access to public healthcare services at reduced resident rates.

To obtain the health card, you will need:

You will then complete an online or in-person application where you’ll need to provide:

This will come with a fee determined by nationality. GCC nationals pay substantially less than non-GCC nationals. Once an application is approved, you can download your card from the online portal and print it. If you do hold an Emirati ID, the health card will be automatically linked to it, and you will not need to print anything. Your card will be valid for one year if you are a non-GCC national and five years if you are from a GCC country.

Expats must hold valid private health insurance as part of residency and visa requirements, meaning public healthcare is often seen as a supplementary option rather than a primary one.

Expats choosing to use public facilities should remain aware that overcrowding is common, particularly in busy urban areas. This can lead to very long wait times and delays in receiving non-urgent treatment. Additionally, the language barrier can prove challenging in some areas. While English is widely spoken, Arabic is the native language, and in some healthcare facilities, bilingual staff may not always be available.

The costs of public healthcare in the UAE can vary greatly by area. For example, healthcare in Dubai is largely free for UAE citizens, but in other areas, partial or full payments may be expected for some treatments.

The private healthcare system in the UAE is widely recognised for its high standards and is often used by nationals to supplement the low-cost and free public services that are available. Private facilities actually outnumber public services in many cases, with Dubai, for example, having approximately 5 times more private hospitals than public hospitals.

Private healthcare offers nationals and expats many advantages when compared to the public sector. With reduced waiting times, wider availability of medical professionals, more hotel-like facilities and multi-lingual staff, an experience that can often be stressful, confusing or worrying can be made much easier to manage and process.

Private healthcare costs in the UAE can be high, and are certainly much higher than in the public sector. A GP consultation, for example, can cost anything from AED 150-500, whereas a specialist appointment can top AED 1,200. Diagnostic testing, such as an MRI, may result in bills exceeding AED 2,500. Long stays or visits for elective procedures can see costs reach thousands of Dirhams.

Throughout the UAE, there are several popular and highly regarded private healthcare facilities. These include Tumbay Hospital in Ajman, NMC Royal Hospital in Sharjah, Al Zahara Hospital in Dubai and Burjeel Hospital in Abu Dhabi. These facilities are all well-known for their specialist treatments, high-quality care and international patient services. You’ll also find healthcare cities, such as Dubai Healthcare City, Sharjah Healthcare City and Sheikh Khalifa Healthcare City. These are zones, or districts, that contain a mix of mostly private hospitals, clinics and specialist centres.

Health insurance is not required to use private healthcare facilities if you are a UAE national, but it is highly advised due to the costs involved. For expats, health insurance is required regardless of the facility you use. With a comprehensive plan, you can help to minimise the out-of-pocket expenses for private GP appointments, treatments, and long-term hospital stays.

For expats moving to the UAE, private health insurance is normally mandatory and typically required for visa applications and renewals. If moving to the UAE for work, health insurance will normally be organised by the employer, although coverage for dependents may need to be sourced separately. UAE nationals normally receive public healthcare coverage through government-funded schemes, although many supplement their coverage with a private plan to access better care at private facilities.

Expats can choose between local health insurance plans for coverage in the UAE or more comprehensive international plans that offer global or multi-national coverage. Local policies are often lower in cost, but can be limited in scope, with little to no coverage outside the UAE. International plans, on the other hand, cost more but offer a wider range of benefits. This may include medical evacuation or treatment abroad, for example. These policies are most popular with expats, frequent travellers and families relocating long-term.

Private health insurance in the UAE normally provides coverage for GP consultations, specialist appointments, inpatient and outpatient treatment, emergency care, maternity services and prescription costs. Some policies may also cover optical and dental treatment, but they are often sold as an optional extra. With dental check-ups likely to cost AED 300+ it may be worth considering.  Policies may also contain specific exclusions. Pre-existing conditions, cosmetic procedures and elective treatments are frequently excluded, and may require a specially tailored, more expensive policy for inclusion.

The cost of private healthcare in the UAE will vary. Age, level of care and your general health are all considered when creating a quote. Family plans can be expensive, but normally cost less than multiple individual policies. Before securing a private health insurance plan, it is important to check co-payment rules, hospital networks and scope of coverage before signing anything. Some policies may offer sufficient cover in some areas but may be lacking in others.

The quality of hospitals throughout the UAE is generally high, and many meet international standards. Across the UAE, various facilities hold the prestigious JCI accreditation, including Gargash Hospital in Dubai, Magrabi Eye Center in Al Ain, Medeor 24×7 Hospital in Abu Dhabi and Al Dhaid Hospital in Sharjah.

English-speaking staff are found in both public and private hospitals throughout the UAE, although the prevalence of bilingual speakers is more noticeable in private facilities. In many cases, hospitals may offer interpreter services or specific international patient areas. Remote areas may present more of a challenge for expats, so private care is often preferred for the wider range of support services it can offer.

The UAE is home to several excellent hospitals spread across the seven Emirates: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Many leading facilities are found within the three purpose-built Healthcare Cities, but outside of these specialist areas, the Cleveland Clinic in Abu Dhabi and the Zulekha Hospital in Sharjah are particularly well-known for their high levels of care, treatment of international patients and wide range of specialisms.

Hospitals in the UAE, in both the public and private sectors, offer a wide range of services, including emergency care, specialist treatment, maternity care, diagnostic testing and surgery. There are many hospitals, such as Moorfields Eye Hospital in Dubai, that excel in a specialism rather than a multitude of healthcare services.

Most expats will hold employer-provided or personal private healthcare. In this instance, you’ll visit a GP first before referral. Some insurance plans may allow for direct access to specialists without needing a GP referral. It’s important to know that you’ll need to find a GP from your insurer’s approved network. They will then act as your first point of contact and refer you when it is deemed necessary.

If you have access to the UAE health card, you’ll visit a local GP who may then refer you to a specialist or government hospital.

In the event of an emergency, expats can visit both public and private facilities without referral.

Costs vary considerably in the UAE. Much depends on the Emirate you are in and whether you hold a UAE health card or are using private care. The UAE card will give you low-cost, but not free, treatment in public facilities. For those without the card, private hospitals are the preferred option. Costs are considerably higher than in public facilities, with basic consultations costing as much as AED 500 and long-term stays running into tens of thousands.

Private hospitals in the United Arab Emirates offer much higher levels of comfort than the public facilities. Rooms often provide hotel-like amenities, specialist support staff, single rooms and occasionally, guest sleeping spaces.

Many private hospitals in the UAE accept international health insurance, but it is not uncommon for payments to be made up front with reimbursement after treatment. This can vary between facilities and even across Emirates. Therefore, you should always check the payment procedure of the hospital and your insurer in advance to avoid any unexpected expenses.

Before departing for the UAE, it is important to ensure that routine vaccinations are up to date and any country-specific guidance has been followed. All travellers should ensure that MMR and DTP vaccinations are up to date, but should also remain aware of the need for a yellow fever certificate. Whilst there is no risk of yellow fever, there is a specific certificate requirement:

In addition, some travellers may require Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Rabies or Typhoid vaccinations before travel. This will largely depend on where you stay, the activities you will engage in and the nature of any work you may do. It is recommended that all expats visit their GP at least 8 weeks before travel to get the latest vaccination advice for travelling to the UAE.

There are several health risks in the UAE that expats should remain aware of before relocation. Dengue has been known to affect expats, but it is rarely reported as severe. Seasonal flu can also be common from October to March. A unique form of the Covid virus may also be present. MERS-COV has been reported in the UAE and is spread after contact with infected camels or camel-related products. There is currently no vaccine, so expats are advised to avoid contact with Camels and any camel products such as camel milk. This virus, similar to COVID-19, has been known to affect those with underlying medical conditions and those classed as “elderly.” Finally, heatstroke and dehydration can be common. The weather can be extremely warm and see a sudden transition from feeling well to feeling poorly.

Preventative measures include drinking plenty of water, staying out of the sun for extended periods and using insect repellent in areas where mosquitoes or ticks may be present. Always remember to wear appropriate clothing to help minimise the risk of bites and ensure all vaccinations are up to date.