Health Insurance in Dubai, UAE

What is Health Insurance in Dubai?

Health insurance in Dubai provides financial support for various medical treatments, both routine and unexpected. It covers costs such as hospitalisation, surgeries, day-care procedures, pre and post-treatment care, and ambulance services. 

A well-chosen medical insurance policy protects you from high medical bills. It allows you to focus on recovery rather than expenses. Whether you're covering yourself, your family, or a domestic worker, medical insurance in Dubai gives access to quality care when it is important. Moreover, since it's a legal requirement, getting a policy also keeps you in line with visa and residency rules in the UAE.

Directly from experts

Our sole focus is on streamlining and enhancing the entire journey of our customers' policy ownership, starting from the moment of purchase through the claims process. With a dedicated team of health insurance claim specialists, we are committed to overcoming challenges, whether it's dealing with denied claims, expediting pending claims, managing document submissions, or providing assistance round the clock.

Toshita Chauhan

Business Head - Health Insurance

Types of Health Insurance Plans in Dubai

Basic Plan

Meets essential legal requirements. Budget-first protection.

• Emergency care and hospitalisation
• Limited network of clinics and hospitals within the UAE
• AED 60,000–150,000 Coverage
• Ideal for visa compliance

Semi-Comprehensive Plan

Balanced benefits at a moderate premium.

• Inpatient and outpatient treatments
• Maternity and chronic condition coverage
• Diagnostics, doctor consultations & pharmacy expenses
• AED 1 million coverage

Comprehensive Plan

Extensive health protection with high flexibility.

• Inpatient, outpatient, maternity, dental, and vision
• Private rooms, mental health, wellness services, and international coverage
• AED 250,000 to AED 5 million+ Coverage 
• Suitable for individuals, families, and those with chronic illnesses

Health Insurance in the UAE — Mandatory by Law, Designed for You

Under UAE law, medical insurance is compulsory for all residents — including employees, dependents, and domestic workers. Without valid coverage, visa applications and renewals can be delayed. Moreover, fines of AED 500 per month apply.

Here’s What You Should Know

1. Mandatory for All: Every resident must have valid health insurance — no exceptions
2. Cashless Access: Use your insurance card at network hospitals and clinics with no upfront payments required
3. Digital Claims: Most insurers now process claims online or via mobile apps for faster approvals
4. Visa-Linked: Medical Insurance is a must for getting or renewing UAE residence visas
5. Flexible Plans: Choose from basic, family, or comprehensive coverage — starting from AED 4/day

Which is the Best Health Insurance Plan for Different Life Stages?

Your health needs evolve with life, and so should your insurance. Whether you’re just starting out, growing a family, or preparing for later years, you can easily find a health insurance plan in the UAE tailored for you. Here's how to choose the right one based on your life stage —

Why Should You Buy Medical Insurance at an Early Age?

As per experts, it is highly recommended for individuals to buy health insurance at an early age. To know why, refer to the reasons below —

Lower Premium Rates

Locking in a policy early helps you get the cheapest health insurance. It is because young people are less prone to developing health conditions.

Overcome Waiting Period

Policies usually have a waiting period for specific treatments. Buying insurance early helps in navigating through these waiting periods sooner.

Wider Choice of Plans

Insurers offer diverse plans for everyone. Choosing early allows you to choose from more plans, finding one that perfectly suits your requirements.

Lower Rejection Rate

At a young age, you stay healthy. Hence, insurers are likely to approve applications instantly. The longer you wait, the higher the chance of rejection.

Covers Unexpected  Expenses

Buying health insurance early helps secure coverage for future and unexpected medical expenses. 

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Best Health Insurance Plans in Dubai

Here is a snapshot of some of the most reliable and diverse plans for health insurance in Dubai —

Eligibility Criteria & Documents Required to Buy Health Insurance in the UAE

Whether you're a resident, dependent, or sponsoring someone, buying health insurance in the UAE is simple. However, you must meet certain eligibility rules and provide a few documents.

Anyone living in the UAE can apply for medical insurance. This includes —

1. UAE nationals and residents (employees, dependents, domestic workers)
2. Expats with valid residence visas
3. Children and elderly family members under family plans
4. Domestic workers (maids, nannies, drivers, and more) — mandatory under the sponsor's responsibility

Here are the documents required to buy health insurance in Dubai — 

💡 Tip: Most insurers accept scanned or digital copies if you’re buying health insurance online.

What is the Ideal Coverage for Health Insurance?

Choosing the right sum insured is one of the most important parts of buying health insurance in the UAE. But how do you know what’s ‘ideal’ for you? The answer depends on what kind of medical expenses you could face in a year, and whether you’re ready for both expected and unexpected health situations.

🧕🏼 Meet Aisha — A 29-Year-Old Woman Working in Dubai

Aisha just moved to Dubai and has a full-time job. She’s currently healthy but wants coverage for —

1. Everyday medical needs like consultations and medicines
2. Emergency care (just in case)
3. Future maternity expenses
4. A private hospital room, if ever admitted

Here’s how she calculates her ideal sum insured step by step —

➡️ Expected Total Cost in a Year = AED 40,000 to 80,000

🔁 Add a Safety Buffer: ×10 Rule

To protect against major illnesses, surgeries, or prolonged hospital stays, insurance experts recommend multiplying your expected yearly cost by 10× to account for —

• Chronic illness treatment
• ICU or critical care
• Cancer or rare conditions
• Medical inflation (7–9% yearly in the UAE)

➡️ Ideal Coverage = AED 400,000 to 800,000

So, Aisha picks a plan with a sum insured of AED 500,000 to AED 1 million. This gives her peace of mind for now and later.

Which Factors Affect Health Insurance Premiums in Dubai?

When you buy health insurance in Dubai, your premium is based on a few key factors. Insurers use these metrics to calculate how much risk (Medical Insurance cost) they’re covering. 

1. Age: The older you are, the higher your premium. That’s because age often comes with a higher chance of illness or complications, which increases the insurer’s risk.
2. Medical History & Pre-existing Conditions: If you’ve had past health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, or surgeries, your premium may be higher. Some insurers may also apply waiting periods before covering such conditions.
3. Type of Coverage Chosen: A basic plan with essential benefits will cost less than a comprehensive plan with maternity, dental, vision, and international cover. The more benefits you include, the more you’ll pay.
4. Sum Insured (Coverage Amount): The higher the coverage you choose, say AED 1 million vs AED 250,000 — the higher your premium will be. But it also means more financial protection when you need it.
5. Add-ons and Optional Covers: Adding extras like alternative medicine, mental health, dental, or wellness benefits can increase your premium.

Why Should You Choose Policybazaar Insurance for Medical Insurance?

Policybazaar Insurance UAE is one of the most trusted online platforms for comparing and buying medical insurance in Dubai. With a strong reputation, expert advisors, and partnerships with top insurance providers, we help you find the right health cover without the confusion. 

Convenience & Time-Saving

Personalised expert advice

Guaranteed low prices

Google Rating — 4.6★ (30,000+ Reviews)

Here are just 5 reasons why:

•  With over 30,000 customer reviews and a stellar 4.6 rating on Google, thousands across the UAE trust us for our service, transparency, and quick support. Our users say we help make medical insurance easy to understand and even easier to buy.
• With Policybazaar Insurance UAE, you get more than just a policy. Enjoy Auto Recharge of your sum insured once it’s used up, a No Claim Bonus that grows your coverage by 10% every claim-free year (up to 50%), and  claim assistance in just 30 minutes.
• Confused between plans? Our licensed health insurance advisors will guide you, without any pressure! They help explain every detail so you can make a confident, informed choice.
• We’ve partnered with the most reliable insurers in the UAE. So whatever your need, you’ll find a trusted brand and competitive pricing right here.
• Online platforms might offer exclusive discounts or deals, making policies more cost-effective compared to offline options.

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Health Insurance FAQs

Q: Is health insurance mandatory in Dubai?

Ans: Yes, medical insurance is mandatory for all Dubai residents under the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) law. Employers must provide it for employees, and sponsors must provide it for dependents.

Q: Can I buy health insurance online in the UAE?

Ans: Absolutely. You can compare, customise, and purchase health insurance plans online via trusted platforms like Policybazaar.ae. Q: What is the Essential Benefits Plan (EBP)? Ans: The EBP is a basic plan designed for low-income workers, dependents, and domestic help. It covers emergency care, maternity, and general medical expenses at affordable premiums.

Q: What is a health card in Dubai?

Ans: A health card is issued by the Dubai Health Authority and allows access to government hospitals. However, it’s not a substitute for private health insurance.

Q: Can I pay my health insurance premium monthly?

Ans: Generally, you have to pay health insurance premiums annually in the UAE. 

Q: Are there penalties for not having insurance in Dubai ? 

Ans: Yes, individuals without medical insurance may face visa renewal issues, fines, and a lack of access to healthcare services. Q: Is health insurance cheaper for women or younger people? Ans: Generally, younger individuals pay lower premiums. However, women may pay higher premiums if maternity cover is included.