Everything expats and families need to know about mandatory health insurance requirements (DHA for Dubai, THIQA for Abu Dhabi), best hospitals (American Hospital, Cleveland Clinic, Mediclinic), medical costs, insurance providers, and healthcare services in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Covers insurance costs, hospital networks, emergency care, and family coverage. Also see our pre-arrival health preparation and healthcare cost breakdown.
All UAE residents must have health insurance. It's a legal requirement for visa issuance and renewal in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Note: Prices vary based on age, pre-existing conditions, and coverage network. Family plans often offer discounts. Maternity coverage typically adds AED 3,000-8,000 to annual premium.
Pacific Prime is our trusted partner specializing in international health insurance for expats. As an independent broker, they compare plans from all major insurers to find the perfect coverage for your needs and budget - at no extra cost to you.
The UAE has numerous health insurance providers. Consider working with an independent broker like Pacific Prime to compare plans and find the best fit for your needs.
Independent health insurance broker with 25+ years of experience helping expats find the perfect coverage across all UAE insurers
National Health Insurance Company
International insurance leader
Leading life & health insurer
UAE-based comprehensive insurer
Global health service company
Modern digital-first insurer
Compare coverage, benefits, and costs across different health insurance tiers
| Coverage Feature |
Essential (AED 600-1,000/year) |
Silver (AED 1,000-2,000/year) |
Gold (AED 2,000-5,000/year) |
Platinum (AED 5,000-15,000/year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inpatient Coverage | Up to AED 150,000 | Up to AED 500,000 | Up to AED 1,000,000 | Unlimited |
| Outpatient Coverage | Limited / Not Covered | Up to AED 15,000 | Up to AED 50,000 | Up to AED 100,000+ |
| GP Consultation | Not Covered | AED 50 Co-pay | AED 25 Co-pay | Free |
| Specialist Consultation | Not Covered | AED 100 Co-pay | AED 50 Co-pay | Free |
| Maternity Coverage | Not Covered | Basic (Up to AED 10,000) | Up to AED 25,000 | Up to AED 50,000+ |
| Dental Coverage | Emergency Only | Emergency + Basic | Up to AED 3,000 | Up to AED 7,500 |
| Optical / Vision | Not Covered | Not Covered | Up to AED 500 | Up to AED 1,500 |
| Pharmacy / Medications | Inpatient Only | 50% Co-pay | 20% Co-pay | Fully Covered |
| Pre-existing Conditions | Excluded | Excluded | After 12 months | After 6 months |
| Emergency Ambulance | Covered | Covered | Covered | Covered |
| Network Hospitals | 20-30 clinics | 50-100 facilities | 150+ facilities | 200+ premium facilities |
| Best Suited For | Young, healthy singles | Working professionals | Families with children | Comprehensive coverage needs |
Health insurance is mandatory for all UAE residents - employers must provide or you must purchase
Most employers provide Silver or Gold tier coverage - check your package benefits and upgrade options
Adding spouse/children costs AED 1,500-5,000 per person annually depending on plan tier
Always check if your preferred hospitals are in-network to avoid high out-of-pocket costs
If anything in this guide isn't clear, or you want tailored advice for
your situation, just send us a quick WhatsApp message.
We're friendly, fast, and happy to help.
Need health insurance advice? We'll connect you with
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expert guidance.
Premium multi-specialty hospital, Oud Metha
Part of Mediclinic Middle East, Dubai Healthcare City
British-style healthcare, multiple locations
World-class multi-specialty hospital, Al Maryah Island
Leading private hospital, multiple locations
Multi-specialty, Khalifa City
Premium healthcare, Al Reem Island
Note: These are approximate costs and vary significantly between hospitals and depending on complexity. With insurance, you typically pay only a co-payment (AED 20-50 per visit) depending on your plan.
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