All About Medical Insurance In Dubai

04/07/2025 04/22/2025 6158 0 0 Author Elena Kirichenko

Medical institutions in Dubai offer modern equipment, advanced technologies and highly qualified specialists who speak Arabic, English, Russian and other languages. Thanks to this, the emirate has become a popular destination for medical tourism. In 2023, 690,000 foreigners visited it, spending over 1 billion AED ($272.2 million) on treatment. Some visitors purchase or rent real estate in Dubai, staying in the emirate for the duration of their treatment.

The healthcare system in Dubai is regulated at both the federal and emirate levels. The autonomy in this area allows the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) to control public and private medicine. Under her leadership, in the first quarter of 2024, more than 150 medical institutions and 800 medical workers received licenses. Thus, the total number of licensed medical institutions has reached 5,020, and 59,509 specialists.

According to Law No. 11 of 2013, medical insurance in Dubai is mandatory for residents and their dependent family members. It provides equal access to quality medical services and financial protection for every person living in the emirate. In case of non-compliance, the person receives a fine of 500 AED ($136) per month. Travel insurance in Dubai in 2025 is not mandatory, but it is recommended to apply for it, since treatment in the emirate is expensive.

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The State healthcare system

Approximately 5 out of 6 medical institutions are private clinics in Dubai. Public hospitals make up 1/6 of the total, but their patients receive equally high-quality services. Citizens of the state can count on free assistance, while foreigners need to purchase a “health card” through the DHA website.

The following documents will be required to apply for the card:

photo on a white background;
a copy of your passport;
original and copy of the Emirates ID card;
a valid visa.

The cost of the card for residents is 500 AED ($136). In the absence of a card, foreigners can still get help from medical specialists in Dubai in case of an emergency: applicants are issued a temporary document. But even if you have a card, every expat needs to get insurance.

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Private healthcare system

According to Emirati law, an employer must provide basic insurance covering the cost of medical treatment in Dubai to its employees. Failure to comply with this requirement can result in a fine and suspension of the business license. Some companies provide a policy for dependents of their employees, but in this emirate this is not their obligation.

Persons who are not employed must take out insurance on their own. The list of services they can access at medical centers in Dubai depends on the amount of coverage and insurance plan they have selected.

Types of medical insurance

Dubai companies offer a wide range of health insurance plans that cover the basic needs of different types of customers. The most common policies belong to the basic, individual, family and group categories. They are suitable for expats who have purchased an apartment or house in the UAE, single people, families with children, as well as large companies.

Basic Plan (Essential Benefits Plan)

The minimum amount of insurance coverage in the emirate is legally fixed by the basic plan, which costs about 650 AED ($163) and includes expenses up to 150,000 AED ($41,000) per year. However, it is available only to those whose income does not exceed 4,000 AED ($1,090) per month, as well as to dependents who do not receive their own income. This plan allows you to pay only 20% for each medical appointment and 30% for medications. It is designed to cover:

emergency situations;
appointments with doctors in the field of general medicine;
basic analyses and examinations;
basic vaccinations;
prescription drugs (there are restrictions on their total price);
physical therapy (up to 6 sessions per year);
treatment of oncological diseases;
pregnancy and childbirth management.

Individual Insurance Plan

This type of plan offers a wide range of coverage and a price range. The cost of the policy may vary depending on a number of parameters, including a person’s gender and age, their state of health, and the availability of certain requests (for example, coverage of dental services). The more services the policy covers, the more expensive it is. The average price of insurance for treatment in Dubai under an individual plan ranges from 3000-4000 AED ($820-1090) to 10,000 AED ($2,700) per person.

Family Insurance Plan

This health insurance plan covers the services of the resident and his family. The factors influencing the cost of such a policy are similar to an individual one, but also include the number of people it is designed for. Many companies offer plans that allow you to get insurance not only for your spouse and children, but also for your parents. However, it depends on their age, health status, and other circumstances. A childless couple will need 9,000 AED ($2,450). Low-cost plans for a family of 4 people can be found from 15 000 AED ($ 4,100), complex plans will cost up to 35 000 AED ($9500).

Group Insurance Plan

Group policies are designed for groups of 20 people or more. They are in demand among large families, consisting of several generations, and companies seeking to improve the working conditions for their employees, thanks to significant discounts, an expanded range of services and additional benefits. The plan in this category offers treatment for foreigners in Dubai on extremely favorable terms.

What is covered by medical insurance in Dubai

The amount of medical insurance coverage in Dubai for tourists, residents and citizens depends on the chosen plan. In most cases, the policy provides access to basic services, which include outpatient treatment, hospitalization, diagnosis, medications, emergency care, as well as childbirth and treatment of chronic diseases.

Ambulance

People in the Emirates can call an ambulance by dialing 998 from anywhere in the country. Local clinics for foreigners and citizens have advanced equipment and provide free assistance in emergency situations. But all services provided after that must be paid for. If a patient is admitted to a medical facility that is not covered by insurance, they will receive emergency care and be transferred to the right hospital.

Medical appointments

All types of insurance cover scheduled medical appointments. To receive non-urgent care, a person can contact a family doctor in Dubai. It can be found in both public and private clinics. Such specialists offer outpatient treatment for patients of all ages. Residents of the emirate can contact them without first receiving a referral by making an appointment through a special online service.

Dental services

Healthcare for foreigners in the field of dentistry is one of the most expensive areas of medicine in the emirate. As a rule, basic policies do not cover it. Making an individual plan provides access to regular checkups, treatment, dental cleaning, and other services. Some companies allow customers with plans that do not include dental treatment to select a special supplement that makes up for this gap.

Prescription drugs

There is a wide range of pharmacies in the emirate, some of which are open around the clock. Foreigners are often faced with the fact that many medicines that they can freely purchase in their homeland are prescription. This applies to sleeping pills, antidepressants, and antibiotics. The cost of medicines that a person can purchase during the year is set by the selected insurance plan. According to the basic plan, the annual limit is 1,500 AED ($410).

Pregnancy and childbirth management

Women must register at the chosen clinic before the seventh month of pregnancy. To do this, the woman in labor and her spouse must provide their passports. In the Emirate, childbirth and fertility treatment are available only to persons who are officially married. The package includes visits to the doctor, examinations and tests. The child receives insurance under the mother’s policy within a month after birth.

Advantages and disadvantages of medical insurance in Dubai

The main advantages of health insurance are:

the highest level of medicine in Dubai;
advanced equipment and qualified personnel;
access to private and public health systems;
opportunities to purchase additions to an existing plan;
opportunities to visit doctors without first receiving referrals and waiting lists.

Disadvantages include:

fines and visa problems in the absence of a policy;
lack of dental services in basic plans;
the high cost of premium policies.

Foreigners planning to purchase a house or apartment in Dubai for permanent residence or seasonal holidays need to apply for insurance. The policy will provide them with access to high-quality medical services.

All about medical insurance in Dubai

Content

The State healthcare system

Private healthcare system