Who provides it
- Abu Dhabi: employers and sponsors provide health insurance for their employees, covering one spouse and three children under 18. [1]
- Dubai: employers must provide health insurance for their employees, and sponsors insure their resident dependants. [1]
- Private sector and domestic workers, across the UAE: employers buy a health insurance policy as a prerequisite for issuing or renewing the residence permit. It is mandatory in Abu Dhabi and Dubai and is being extended to the other emirates. [1]
The basic package
The basic insurance package costs AED 320 a year, with no waiting period for workers with chronic illnesses. It covers people aged 1 to 64; people over 64 complete a medical disclosure form with recent medical reports. Family dependants of the worker can have the same benefits and price. [1] For what you pay at a visit and for medicines, see "Cover for chronic conditions and medicines under the basic package". [1]
Who regulates it
The Central Bank of the UAE supervises and regulates the insurance sector and licenses insurance companies; it publishes the list of registered insurance companies. [2] In Dubai, the Dubai Health Insurance Corporation regulates the health insurance sector. [1]
Sources
- UAE Government portal, "Getting a health insurance" (updated 8 September 2026): https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/health-and-fitness/Healthcare-access-and-insurance/getting-a-health-insurance
- UAE Government portal, "Insurance" (updated 28 September 2026): https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/finance-and-investment/insurance