The Dubai Series Pt 1 – Your Essential Guide to Medical Insurance in Dubai Before Relocating

​When planning a move to Dubai, one of the most common questions we get asked is about the healthcare system.

How does it work and what do you need to know before you accept your job offer?

In this first instalment of our four-part mini-blog series, we’ll break it all down to help make your transition to Dubai as smooth as possible.

Dubai offers a modern, convenient and well-developed healthcare system. Over 80% of clinics are private, with public hospitals making up the remaining 20%. UAE citizens receive free treatment at public facilities, but expats are required to have private insurance. A health card can be purchased to access emergency care at public clinics but is insufficient for all medical needs.

Hear one of our team’s experiences:

Coming from the UK where we are very lucky to have NHS but getting an appointment is another story; it’s night and day to the ease of visiting a Doctor in Dubai. For example, when I needed treatment for neck pain, I checked which doctors were covered by my insurance and booked and attended the appointment within two hours. The level of care was impressive - thorough examinations, including blood tests and an ultrasound, all covered by my insurance with a small co-pay of around 50 dirhams. And results back by the end of the following day!

Mandatory Health Insurance in Dubai

DHA Requirements: All residents, including expats, must have health insurance. It’s a requirement for visa processing and insurance comes in various tiers depending on the provider.

Employers must provide health insurance for employees, while sponsors must ensure coverage for dependents like spouses, children and domestic workers.

Although there are some companies that will cover this too – it is worth checking before you sign your contract.

Please note if you are an entrepreneur or self-employed you will need to purchase your own insurance.

Types of Coverage

Basic Plan: The DHA’s Essential Benefits Plan offers basic coverage for low-income (4k AED p/m) earners at a lower premium. This will cover visits to a general practitioner, emergencies, essential vaccinations, prescription medication and more. Ranging from approx 500-800 AED p/y. Apply here.

Private insurers offer more extensive plans covering a wide range of services, including maternity, dental, optical care and sometimes international coverage.

Costs and Coverage - (if purchasing your own insurance)

Costs vary based on age, medical history and coverage level, ranging from AED 600 per year for basic plans to several thousand for comprehensive coverage. For a pretty decent insurance, you’ll be looking at around 10k AED p/y.

Many plans involve co-payments or deductibles, particularly for outpatient services usually 20% or less the overall medical cost.

Choosing Your Provider if you are Self-Employed

Dubai has a mix of insurers to choose from such as GIG (AXA), Allianz, Bupa and Daman, each offering various plans tailored to different needs and budgets. Your company will already have a set insurance plan in place. You can check more options here.

The quality of your coverage often depends on the hospital network your plan covers, with broader networks offering access to top-tier facilities.

Renewals, Claims and Exclusions

Annual Renewals: Health insurance is usually renewed annually, with options to upgrade or change plans based on your circumstances.

Claims Process: Most insurers offer direct billing to minimize out-of-pocket expenses. For further treatment the process is very simple; the clinic will ask for your policy number to proceed with any treatments and contact you as soon as it has been approved by your insurance company.

Some plans may exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions or have caps on certain treatments, so it’s essential to understand these limits.

The Benefits of Private Insurance

•High-Quality Care - Private insurance provides access to Dubai’s best hospitals and specialized treatments.

•Convenience & Speed – As mentioned, with private insurance, you’ll experience shorter wait times and faster access to specialists.

Maternity

Dubai provides excellent maternity care, including female-only health clinics. On average, giving birth in a public hospital in Dubai costs a minimum of 6k dirhams, including delivery and prenatal appointments. Private clinics with full maternity packages will cost slightly more (12k and up). You can find further info here.

Prescriptions

More often than not, you will be able to pick up your prescriptions immediately at the hospital/clinic. Some clinics offer a home delivery option too.

Just to add to this, for any basic medication for example cold/flu/allergies etc you will find most pharmacies in Dubai are open 24 hours and are available via apps such as Instashop, Deliveroo and Talabat to be delivered to your doorstep within the hour.

Considerations

Family Coverage - If you have dependents, you may need to consider a family plan that meets everyone’s needs.

International Coverage - Frequent travellers may want to opt for a plan that includes international coverage.

Other info:

•DHA official website

•Dial 998 for medical emergencies

•Teleconsultations are also an option with private insurers and are becoming increasingly popular.

One for the health-conscious

Dubai is very much a health and well-being city with countless gyms, hundreds of classes for the mind and body, indoor/outdoor activities, nutritious, healthy cafes and so much more. There’s even an entire month dedicated to fitness – The Dubai Fitness Challenge happens each year from October to November encouraging the entire city to get moving for 30 minutes every day for 30 days.

Overall, having private medical insurance in Dubai is essential for ensuring access to quality healthcare.

Choosing the right plan will depend on your personal and financial needs, but you can rest assured, Dubai’s healthcare system is well-equipped to provide the care you need.