Health insurance in Dubai
What the law makes your employer cover, what you pay for your family, and the minimum plan every policy must match. From official sources, checked October 2026.
Health insurance is mandatory in Dubai. Your employer must insure you and pay the full premium, and cannot deduct it from your salary. Your employer does not have to cover your spouse and children: if it does not, you as their sponsor must insure them at your own cost. Every policy must at least match the Essential Benefits Plan set by the Dubai Health Authority, which has an annual limit of 150,000 AED.
Sources: Dubai Health Authority, ISAHD, Frequently Asked Questions, Health insurance in Dubai; Dubai Health Authority, ISAHD, Law No. 11 of 2013 Concerning Health Insurance in the Emirate of Dubai, English text, Articles 9 to 11; Dubai Health Authority, ISAHD, General Circular GC 03/2024, Updated Table of Benefits for Essential Benefits Plan, in force from 1 January 2025, Appendix A. Checked October 2026.
General information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the authority named in each source before you rely on a figure.
- What the law says
- Your family
- The Essential Benefits Plan
- What to check in an offer
- If the job is in Abu Dhabi
- Questions
What the law says
Dubai Law No. 11 of 2013 makes health insurance mandatory for UAE nationals living in Dubai, expatriate residents and visitors. Under it, an employer must:
- enrol its employees in health insurance that is at least the basic coverage set by the Dubai Health Authority;
- pay the cost, and not charge it to employees;
- keep the insurance valid for the whole period of service;
- pay for emergency treatment of any employee left without insurance;
- give each employee a health insurance card;
- show a health insurance policy when issuing or renewing employee residence permits.
Sources: Dubai Health Authority, ISAHD, Law No. 11 of 2013 Concerning Health Insurance in the Emirate of Dubai, English text, Articles 9 and 10; Dubai Health Authority, ISAHD, Frequently Asked Questions, Health insurance in Dubai. Checked October 2026.
Your spouse and children
The Dubai Health Authority says employers are encouraged to cover spouses and dependents, but are not required to. If the employer does not, the sponsor must. A sponsor has the same duties for the people they sponsor as an employer has for employees: enrol them, pay for it without charging them, keep the cover valid, and show a policy when issuing or renewing their residence. ICP lists valid health insurance among the documents for a family residence visa.
Sources: Dubai Health Authority, ISAHD, Frequently Asked Questions, Health insurance in Dubai; Dubai Health Authority, ISAHD, Law No. 11 of 2013 Concerning Health Insurance in the Emirate of Dubai, English text, Article 11; u.ae, the UAE government portal, Getting health insurance, Health insurance for resident expatriates; Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), Issuing Residency Permit, service card, required documents. Checked October 2026.
So family cover is a real line in your budget unless the offer includes it. The family visa guide covers the rest of sponsoring a family.
The Essential Benefits Plan
The Essential Benefits Plan is the minimum level of health insurance the Dubai Health Authority requires, and the minimum standard for any health insurance policy issued in Dubai. The Dubai Health Authority permits named insurers to sell it to people in the low salary band. The implementing bylaw defines a low income person as someone whose total monthly salary is below a minimum set by the Dubai Health Insurance Corporation.
Sources: Dubai Health Authority, ISAHD, Frequently Asked Questions, Health insurance in Dubai; Dubai Health Authority, ISAHD, General Circular GC 03/2024, Updated Table of Benefits for Essential Benefits Plan, in force from 1 January 2025, Appendix A; Dubai Health Authority, ISAHD, General Circular GC 06-2024, insurers permitted to offer the Essential Benefits Plan to low salary band members; Dubai Health Authority, ISAHD, Administrative Resolution No. 78 of 2022 Issuing the Implementing Bylaw of Law No. 11 of 2013, Article 1, definitions. Checked October 2026.
Key benefits in the table in force from 1 January 2025:
| Benefit | Essential Benefits Plan minimum |
|---|---|
| Annual limit | 150,000 AED, including your share |
| Area of cover | Basic care within Dubai. Emergency treatment, including ambulance, anywhere in the UAE |
| Network | A limited network is allowed, with adequate access near work and home |
| Specialists | Only after a referral from a general practitioner |
| Outpatient visits, tests and scans | You pay 20%. No charge for a follow-up visit within 7 days |
| Medicines | Up to 2,500 AED a year, you pay 30% of each prescription |
| Antenatal care | 8 visits and 3 scans, with prior approval, you pay 10% |
| Delivery | Up to 10,000 AED for a normal delivery or a medically necessary caesarean, you pay 10% |
| Newborn | Covered on the mother policy for 30 days, then must be enrolled on its own policy |
| Pre-existing conditions | Must be covered. Can be excluded for the first 6 months of your first UAE scheme, except emergencies |
| Physiotherapy | Up to 6 sessions a year, with prior approval |
| Dental | Up to 500 AED, you pay 30% |
| Mental health, outpatient | Up to 800 AED |
| Repatriation of remains | Up to 5,000 AED |
Source: Dubai Health Authority, ISAHD, General Circular GC 03/2024, Updated Table of Benefits for Essential Benefits Plan, in force from 1 January 2025, Appendix A, Table of Benefits. Checked October 2026.
An employer plan can be better than this minimum on every line. The minimum shows why the plan name alone tells you little: ask for the table of benefits.
What to check in a job offer
- Who is covered. You only, or your spouse and children too. If only you, budget for family premiums every year.
- The table of benefits. Annual limit, outpatient share, medicines limit and dental, compared with the minimum above.
- Network and area. Which hospitals and clinics you can use, and whether cover extends beyond Dubai or abroad.
- Maternity. If you plan a child, check the antenatal and delivery limits and any waiting period. The minimum delivery cover is 10,000 AED.
- Pre-existing conditions. Whether the 6 month exclusion applies to you or your family.
- Newborns. A baby must be on its own policy from day 30, so ask how quickly the employer adds a newborn.
The Dubai job offer checklist covers medical insurance with the rest of the offer, and the hidden costs guide lists other costs that come with a move.
If the job is in Abu Dhabi
The rules differ by emirate. u.ae says that in Abu Dhabi, employers and sponsors must provide health insurance for employees and their families, defined as one spouse and three children under 18. In Dubai, employers cover employees and sponsors cover their resident dependents.
Source: u.ae, the UAE government portal, Getting health insurance, Health insurance for resident expatriates. Checked October 2026.
Questions about health insurance in Dubai
Is health insurance mandatory in Dubai?
Yes. Dubai Law No. 11 of 2013 makes health insurance mandatory for UAE nationals living in Dubai, expatriate residents and visitors.
Does my employer have to pay for my health insurance in Dubai?
Yes. Your employer must enrol you, pay the full premium and keep the cover valid for your whole service. The cost must not be deducted from your salary.
Does my employer have to insure my spouse and children?
No. Employers are encouraged to cover dependents, but if they do not, you as the sponsor must insure your family and pay for it.
What is the Essential Benefits Plan?
The minimum health insurance cover in Dubai set by the Dubai Health Authority. Every policy issued in Dubai must at least match it. Its annual limit is 150,000 AED, with 20% paid by you on outpatient visits.
Is maternity covered by health insurance in Dubai?
The Essential Benefits Plan covers 8 antenatal visits and 3 scans with prior approval, and delivery up to 10,000 AED, with 10% paid by you. Plans above the minimum can cover more, so check the table of benefits.
Are pre-existing conditions covered?
Cover cannot be refused because of a pre-existing condition. Treatment for chronic and pre-existing conditions can be excluded for the first 6 months of your first scheme in the UAE, except when the condition becomes an emergency.
What if my employer does not insure me?
Employers and sponsors who do not comply face penalties under Dubai Law No. 11 of 2013. The employer must also pay for emergency treatment of an employee left without insurance.
Sources: Dubai Health Authority, ISAHD, Frequently Asked Questions, Health insurance in Dubai; Dubai Health Authority, ISAHD, Law No. 11 of 2013 Concerning Health Insurance in the Emirate of Dubai, English text, Articles 9 to 11; Dubai Health Authority, ISAHD, General Circular GC 03/2024, Updated Table of Benefits for Essential Benefits Plan, in force from 1 January 2025, Appendix A. Checked October 2026.
More for your move
Visas
Dubai family visaSponsoring a spouse and children: the salary rule, documents, steps and fees.Visas
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Driving licence in DubaiWhose licence can be exchanged without a test, the steps and the fees.Guide
Dubai job offer checklistEleven things to check before you accept, and questions to ask the employer.Guide
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Data for your offer: the Dubai salary calculator, salary guides, areas and rents, schools and fees, and all guides.
Sources
- Frequently Asked Questions, Health insurance in Dubai. Dubai Health Authority, ISAHD. Checked October 2026.https://www.isahd.ae/Home/FAQ
- Law No. 11 of 2013 Concerning Health Insurance in the Emirate of Dubai, English text. Dubai Health Authority, ISAHD. Checked October 2026.https://www.isahd.ae/content/docs/Law%20No%2011%20of%202013%20Concerning%20Health%20Insurance%20in%20the%20Emirate%20of%20Dubai%20(%E2%80%9CDubai%20Health%20Law%E2%80%9D).pdf
- Administrative Resolution No. 78 of 2022 Issuing the Implementing Bylaw of Law No. 11 of 2013. Dubai Health Authority, ISAHD. Checked October 2026.https://www.isahd.ae/content/docs/Administrative%20Resolution%20No.%20(78)%20of%202022%20Issuing%20the%20Implementing%20Bylaw%20of%20Law%20No.%20(11)%20of%202013.pdf
- General Circular GC 03/2024, Updated Table of Benefits for Essential Benefits Plan, in force from 1 January 2025. Dubai Health Authority, ISAHD. Checked October 2026.https://www.isahd.ae/content/docs/GC%2003%202024.pdf
- General Circular GC 06-2024, insurers permitted to offer the Essential Benefits Plan to low salary band members. Dubai Health Authority, ISAHD. Checked October 2026.https://www.isahd.ae/content/docs/GC%2006-2024.pdf
- Getting health insurance. u.ae, the UAE government portal. Checked October 2026.https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/health-and-fitness/Healthcare-access-and-insurance/getting-a-health-insurance
- Issuing Residency Permit, service card. Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). Checked October 2026.https://icp.gov.ae/en/services-details/?serviceid=64afe3c1035448005bd52e64
Last checked October 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the Dubai Health Authority before you act. General information, not legal advice.