What if you require urgent medical treatment but don’t have insurance to cover the cost? Healthcare in the UAE is among the best in the world, but without insurance, even a simple hospital visit can be expensive. This is why health insurance is not just important—it’s mandatory in the UAE.
Whether, if you are an employee, a self-employed individual or a family looking for coverage, understanding how health insurance works can help you make the right choice. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know to stay protected and stress-free.
What is Health Insurance in the UAE?
Health insurance in UAE is a contract between an individual and an insurance company. Under this contract, the insurer agrees to cover some or all of the person’s medical expenses in exchange for a regular payment called a premium.
The purpose of health insurance is to make healthcare more affordable. It helps pay for doctor visits, hospital treatments, surgeries, medications and other medical services. The coverage depends on the type of insurance plan chosen.
Future of Health Insurance in the UAE
As of 2025, the UAE is actively advancing its health insurance sector to provide residents with comprehensive and efficient healthcare services.
A notable initiative is the Ministry of Health and Prevention’s (MoHAP) plan to establish Health Excellence Research Centers to improve medical research and healthcare quality across the nation. Additionally, the UAE Health Council is focusing on strategic projects such as the completion of a unified licensing system for health professionals and the creation of the UAE Council for the Accreditation of Healthcare Facilities.These efforts are standardising healthcare services and elevate the nation’s competitiveness in the health sector.
Health Insurance Laws & Regulations in the UAE
As of 2025, health insurance is mandatory for all residents and citizens in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This requirement aims to ensure that everyone has access to essential healthcare services and protects individuals from high medical costs.
Regulatory Authorities
The UAE’s health insurance sector is overseen by several key authorities —
- Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE): Following the merger of the Insurance Authority into the CBUAE under Decretal Federal Law No. 25 of 2020, the CBUAE supervises and regulates the insurance sector.
- Dubai Health Authority (DHA): Responsible for regulating and overseeing health insurance policies within the Emirate of Dubai.
- Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH): Manages health insurance regulations and implementation in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Mandatory Health Insurance Coverage
In the UAE, it is compulsory for all employers to provide health insurance coverage for their employees. This obligation includes —
- Employees: Employers must offer health insurance that covers basic medical services, including inpatient and outpatient treatments, surgeries and emergency care.
- Dependents: In Abu Dhabi, employers are also required to provide insurance for employees’ spouses and up to three children under the age of 18. In other emirates, while not mandatory, it is customary for employers to offer coverage for dependents, or individuals must secure their own policies.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Failure to adhere to health insurance mandates can result in significant penalties:
- Employers: Companies that do not provide the required health insurance may face fines (from AED 500 to AED 15,000), legal actions and potential restrictions on business operations.
- Individuals: Residents without valid health insurance may encounter difficulties in visa renewals and could be subject to fines.
Types of Health Insurance Plans in the UAE
The primary categories of health insurance in the UAE include Basic Health Insurance, Semi-Comprehensive Health Insurance and Comprehensive Health Insurance —
1. Basic Health Insurance
Basic Health Insurance plans are designed to meet the minimum coverage requirements set by UAE health authorities. These plans focus on essential healthcare services and are often more affordable.
Referral Process of Basic Health Insurance
- General Practitioner (GP) Consultation: Patients must first consult a GP for initial assessment
- Specialist Referral: If specialised care is needed, the GP provides a referral to a specialist. Direct access to specialists without a GP referral is usually not covered under these plans
- Outpatient Treatment: Restricted to clinics; direct hospital outpatient services without prior referral are generally not covered
2. Semi-Comprehensive Health Insurance
Semi-Comprehensive Health Insurance plans offer a broader range of services than the basic plans. This provides a balance between coverage and cost.
Referral Process of Semi-Comprehensive Health Insurance
- Direct Specialist Access: Patients may have the option to consult specialists without a GP referral, depending on the policy terms
- Outpatient Services: Access to both clinics and hospitals for outpatient care, with some services possibly requiring prior authorization
3. Comprehensive Health Insurance
Comprehensive Health Insurance plans provide extensive coverage, encompassing a wide array of medical services.
Referral Process of Comprehensive Health Insurance
- Open Access: Patients can often consult specialists and access various healthcare services without the need for GP referrals
- Direct Hospital Services: Ability to receive outpatient and inpatient services at hospitals directly, with prior approvals as per policy terms
Common Inclusions and Exclusions of Health Insurance in the UAE
Inclusions of Health Insurance in the UAE
- Inpatient and outpatient treatments, including hospital stays, surgeries, consultations with specialists, diagnostic tests and prescribed treatments.
- Maternity care, covering prenatal check-ups, delivery costs (normal and cesarean), postnatal care and newborn medical expenses within the first 30 days.
- Emergency medical services, including ambulance transportation, accident-related treatments and urgent medical interventions.
- Prescribed medications, provided they are recommended by a licensed doctor and covered under the insurance policy’s formulary.
- Preventive services, such as vaccinations, routine screening and health check-ups for early disease detection and management.
Exclusions of Health Insurance in the UAE
- Cosmetic and aesthetic treatments, including plastic surgery, body contouring, and non-essential dermatological procedures.
- Dental and optical treatments, such as routine dental check-ups, braces, LASIK surgery, and contact lenses.
- Alternative therapies, including acupuncture, homeopathy, naturopathy and chiropractic treatments.
- Over-the-counter medications and supplements, including vitamins, herbal medicines and non-prescription drugs.
- Self-inflicted injuries and substance abuse treatments, including injuries caused by reckless behavior, drug or alcohol addiction rehabilitation, and treatment of related complications.
How to Choose the Right Health Insurance Plan with Policybazaar.ae?
Choosing the right health insurance plan in the UAE is all about making a well-informed decision and the key to doing this is through comparison. Comparing different health insurance plans means looking at the coverage, benefits, network hospitals, premium costs and policy exclusions to find one that best fits your needs and budget.
However, searching through multiple insurer websites can be confusing and time-consuming. Instead of juggling between different platforms, one of the easiest and most effective ways to compare health insurance plans is by using an insurance aggregator like Policybazaar.ae.
What makes Policybazaar UAE stand out is the convenience it offers. Instead of dealing with multiple insurance companies separately, you get access to a wide range of plans in a single location. This not only simplifies the process but also offers transparency, as you can compare policies objectively without any bias. Additionally, the platform often has exclusive benefits through PB Advantage like auto recharge, no claim bonus, 30-minutes claim assistance, 60-minute turnaround time for PED quotations and more.
Invest in Your Health, Invest in Your Future
Health insurance in the UAE is not just a legal requirement — it is an important step toward securing access to quality medical care. With a variety of plans available, choosing the right one requires careful comparison of coverage, costs and benefits. This ongoing improvement reflects the country’s commitment to improve its healthcare system, which makes it more efficient and accessible for residents.
By staying informed about the latest regulations and using reliable platforms like Policybazaar.ae, you can find a plan that meets your needs without unnecessary hassle. A well-chosen health insurance plan provides peace of mind, financial security and access to the best medical care when needed.
