The United Arab Emirates has established one of the most comprehensive and mandatory health insurance systems in the Middle East, ensuring that all residents, including expatriates, have access to quality healthcare services.
As of January 1, 2025, the UAE has implemented a nationwide mandate requiring all private-sector employers to provide health insurance for their employees. This significant policy change aims to ensure that all residents, including expatriates, have access to essential healthcare services. While the mandate applies across all Emirates, there are notable differences in implementation and requirements between Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the Northern Emirates. This guide provides foreign clients with a detailed overview of navigating these regulations effectively.
Get in Touch with Us
Mr. Peter J. Heidinger
Chairman
Feature | Dubai | Abu Dhabi | Northern Emirates |
Employer Responsibility | Employees only | Employees + immediate family | Employees + domestic workers |
Minimum Coverage | Essential Benefits Plan | Thiqa Program | Basic Health Insurance Package |
Annual Premium Range one person | AED 10K-20K | AED 10K-20K | AED 10K-20K |
Regulatory Body | DHA | DOH | Varies by Emirate |
When securing health insurance in the UAE, one of the key decisions is choosing between an individual plan and a group insurance policy:
Designed for single policyholders, these plans allow residents or expatriates to select coverage based on their personal medical needs and budget. Individual plans are often chosen by freelancers, small business owners, or employees whose companies do not provide health coverage. They offer flexibility in selecting benefits, but premiums can be higher compared to group coverage.
Typically provided by employers, group insurance covers employees—and often their dependents under a single policy. Group plans are generally more cost-effective, as the risk is spread across multiple people. In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, employers are legally required to provide health insurance for their staff, making group insurance the most common option. These plans ensure compliance with local laws while giving employees access to essential healthcare benefits.
Feature | Individual Plans | Group Insurance |
Who it Covers | One person (policyholder); dependents can be added separately | Employees of a company (often includes dependents) |
Cost | Premiums are paid by the individual; can be higher | Usually paid by employer; more cost-effective for employees |
Flexibility | Customizable to personal needs and budget | Standardized coverage for the whole group; less customization |
Legal Requirement | Suitable for freelancers or individuals without employer coverage | Mandatory for employers in Dubai & Abu Dhabi to provide for staff |
Best For | Freelancers, small business owners, or dependents not covered by employer | Companies and employees seeking cost-efficient, compliant coverage |
The UAE government introduced a new Basic Health Insurance Package priced at AED 320 per year in 2025. This affordable option provides essential coverage for individuals aged 1-64 years and includes:
· Annual coverage limit of AED 150,000
· Access to seven hospitals, 46 clinics, and 45 pharmacies across the UAE
· Coverage for chronic diseases and pre-existing conditions without waiting periods
· Telehealth services with no co-payments (except pharmacy services)
Who it targets: The Essential Benefits Plan serves as the minimum required health insurance coverage for Dubai residents earning less than AED 4,000 monthly. All employers in Dubai are legally required to provide their staff with at least the minimum level of health insurance coverage under a DHA-compliant plan.
What it covers (typical): Inpatient, outpatient, maternity, and emergency services within Dubai and across the UAE for emergency care. Coverage limits and co-payments are set by DHA-approved insurers, with annual benefit caps and defined exclusions under the EBP framework.
Why it matters: Dubai’s Essential Benefits Plan ensures that all residents have access to a basic level of healthcare while keeping premiums affordable for employers and individuals. Employers must confirm that their chosen policy is DHA-approved and matches the eligibility and salary criteria for EBP coverage.
Who it targets: The Basic Plan is designed for lower-income employees and those eligible under regulator rules; it also aligns with the Thiqa social scheme for nationals. Employers in Abu Dhabi are required to ensure their employees (and in many cases immediate family members) are insured under a compliant plan.
What it covers (typical): Inpatient, outpatient and emergency services within Abu Dhabi; emergency care is typically honored across the UAE (emergency stabilization outside Abu Dhabi), with caps and co-payments defined by DOH-approved plans.
Why it matters: Abu Dhabi’s Basic Plan provides a minimum standard of care while enabling lower premiums for targeted groups. Employers must verify that the chosen plan is DOH-approved for the relevant employee categories.
Who it targets: Beginning with the nationwide moves in 2025, Northern Emirates rolled out regulator-approved basic packages intended to provide minimum coverage for private sector employees and domestic workers in emirates like Sharjah, Ajman, RAK, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain.
What it covers (typical): Core outpatient, inpatient and emergency care with modest annual caps and co-payment structures; the basic plan was designed to be affordable (marketed with premiums often in the AED 320–350 range for basic statutory packages).
Why it matters: The Northern rollout standardizes minimum coverage across emirates previously without uniform rules and improves access to care for low-income workers.
A standardized “Basic” or “Essential” plan framework underpins compliance, with affordable entry-level premiums positioned for lower-income workers and domestic staff.
In Dubai, the Essential Benefits Plan (EBP) sets minimum benefits for those under AED 4,000 salary and for dependents/domestic workers; higher-earning employees must still meet minimum standards even if not EBP-eligible.
Abu Dhabi’s Basic Plan covers inpatient, outpatient, and emergency care within the emirate, with emergency coverage across the UAE; plans are marketed with low annual premiums for regulator-defined lower-income members.
Beyond basic plans, expatriates can choose from various coverage levels :
Mid-Tier Plans: Cost between AED 3,000-7,000 annually, offering broader healthcare access with annual limits ranging from AED 187,268 to AED 500,000.
Premium Plans: Starting from AED 8,000 annually, these plans often include worldwide coverage (sometimes excluding USA/Canada), private hospital rooms, and specialized treatments.
Family Plans: Combine coverage for multiple family members under one policy, typically more cost-effective than individual policies.
Many major international and local insurers, including Cigna, Bupa, MetLife, ADNIC, and Sukoon (formerly Oman Insurance), provide comprehensive and global plans to residents in the Northern Emirates. These high-quality plans often offer the same extensive coverage available in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to residents across the UAE.
Comparison | Basic Plan | Premium Plan |
Annual Limit | AED 150,000. | Up to AED 5 million or unlimited. |
Annual Premiums | Significantly lower, starting from as little as AED 320–550. | Much higher, starting from around AED 10,000 and up. |
Co-payment | High, up to 20–30% depending on the service. | Very low or zero for most services. |
Network | Restricted network of clinics and government-approved hospitals. | Extensive network of top-tier private hospitals and clinics. |
Maternity | Specific sub-limits (e.g., AED 10,000 for delivery). | Higher limits (e.g., AED 25,000–50,000). |
Extra Benefits | Minimal; no dental, optical, or alternative medicine. | Often includes dental, optical, wellness programs, and mental health coverage. |
Compliance with Local Regulations: Ensure that your health insurance policies align with the specific requirements of each Emirate to avoid penalties and ensure smooth visa and residency processes.
Tailored Coverage Plans: Consider the healthcare needs of your employees and their families. Opt for plans that offer comprehensive coverage, including outpatient, inpatient, maternity, dental, and mental health services.
Cost Implications: While the basic health insurance package is affordable, additional coverage options may incur higher premiums. Evaluate the cost-benefit ratio to provide optimal coverage without exceeding budget constraints.
Integration with Other Services: Collaborate with service providers like FMC Group to integrate health insurance with other HR services, such as payroll and visa processing, to streamline operations and ensure compliance.
Emirate / Region | Key Feature (2025 Updates) |
Dubai | Mandatory employer coverage; 5–20% premium hikes with richer benefits under DHA guidance |
Abu Dhabi | Employer covers employee + family (spouse + 3 kids); Thiqa enhancements and co-payment shifts |
Northern Emirates | New nationwide mandate; low-cost basic plans (AED 320–350); improved healthcare access |
Many expatriates relocating to the UAE or companies seconding staff often ask if existing foreign or international health insurance policies are sufficient for visa purposes and access to medical services.
The short answer is: No, foreign health insurance alone is not enough to meet UAE requirements.
UAE law requires all residents to be covered by a locally licensed health insurance provider.
In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, proof of compliant local health insurance is mandatory before issuing or renewing a residence visa
Hospitals and clinics in the UAE typically do not bill foreign insurers directly. This means expatriates may need to pay large amounts out-of-pocket and claim later, which can be financially risky.
Each Emirate enforces minimum plan frameworks (e.g., Dubai’s Essential Benefits Plan, Abu Dhabi’s Basic Plan) that foreign insurers rarely align with.
Even if an expat has global coverage, it may not meet the DHA (Dubai Health Authority) or DOH (Department of Health Abu Dhabi) criteria for minimum benefits.
Local health insurance is directly linked to visa issuance. Without proof of a compliant local policy, residence visas cannot be processed.
Yes, international health insurance can be valuable as a supplement:
For companies using Employer of Record (EOR) services in the UAE, health insurance obligations remain critical:
The UAE imposes significant penalties for non-compliance with health insurance requirements:
Visa and Residency Issues:
Legal Complications:
At FMC Group, we specialize in providing tailored health insurance solutions for foreign clients operating in the UAE. Our services include:
For personalized assistance and to learn more about how we can support your business in navigating the UAE’s health insurance landscape, please contact us.
You need to load content from reCAPTCHA to submit the form. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More InformationYou are currently viewing a placeholder content from Turnstile. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More InformationYou need to load content from reCAPTCHA to submit the form. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More Information