Dubai Health Insurance: Providers, Costs, and Mandatory Requirements
More and more people are emigrating to Dubai. Emigration is a major project and an important part of this is health and medical insurance. The insurance system in the United Arab Emirates is very different from that in most European countries. This guide explains everything you need to consider when emigrating to Dubai with regard to health insurance.
Mandatory Medical Insurance in Dubai
In Dubai, medical insurance is mandatory, which means that all residents must have it. The Dubai health insurance law no. 11 of 2013 made medical insurance mandatory in Dubai, and it came into effect on January 1, 2014. This law requires all employers in Dubai to provide medical insurance for their employees. For people who are not employed or who are self-employed, and the non-working dependents, it is their own responsibility to ensure that they have medical insurance bought by themselves or their sponsor, respectively.
Who Needs Health Insurance in Dubai?
Frankly speaking, health insurance UAE is not limited to age, gender, or any other factor. It’s not a formality in Dubai; it’s a necessity for anyone living here. Understanding who benefits most can help you make the right choice for your situation.
- Expats: In order to adhere to UAE regulations and receive prompt medical care, expatriates must have health insurance. A well-thought-out plan guarantees seamless hospital stays and the avoidance of unforeseen expenses.
- Residents: Everyone in the UAE is shielded from growing medical expenses by individual medical insurance. Having coverage ensures financial stability while maintaining everyone’s health.
- Retirees: Retirees benefit from senior citizen health insurance that covers hospital stays, age-related treatments, and chronic conditions as their medical needs increase with age.
- Youngsters: Having health insurance benefits even younger adults. Early medical support and preventive checkups contribute to long-term financial security by averting bigger costs down the road.
Provider Comparison
The number of providers is large, but here is an overview of the best-known and most popular providers of health insurance in Dubai.
Local Providers
On insurancemarket.ae you will find a large number of local insurance providers. These are mostly limited to the UAE and the GCC region. After briefly entering the most important data, you will receive various offers from GIG, Sukoon or other providers. You can usually choose between different hospital packages because there are various „hospital chains“ that have correspondingly different service and quality standards.
International Providers
If you generally travel a lot and want to enjoy a high level of insurance cover abroad, you should take out international policies. These are among the most popular among expats from Europe:
- PassportCard: This insurance product is provided by Allianz Insurance from Germany and offers attractive insurance packages for various geographical zones. In the event of illness, the card can be topped up via the app and then used in hospital.
- Foyer (Global): The insurance company from Luxembourg offers international health insurance for expats of all kinds. Here, too, you get attractive plans with a modern infrastructure.
- April (International): A French provider that has become so popular in recent years due to its low monthly insurance costs is April. This provider is slightly cheaper and you can choose between 4 different basic packages.
Hospitals and Cost Examples
As you can see here, the best local hospitals are definitely American Hospital, Mediclinic and King's College Hospital. The following table illustrates potential costs based on the provided data:
| Hospital Group | Package Level | Estimated Annual Cost |
| American Hospital, Mediclinic, King's College Hospital | Best Package | Around AED 5,000 (€1200) |
However, the price refers to an example of a healthy man around 30 years old. The exact prices logically vary from person to person based on age, health status, and the level of coverage you choose.
How To Get A Health Card in Dubai
Fortunately, getting a health card in Dubai is a relatively easy process – as long as you have a valid UAE residence visa. Follow these steps to obtain coverage:
- UAE Resident Visa: To get a Dubai health card, the first requirement is to have a valid UAE residence visa. You can apply for a residence visa through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) or through your employer.
- Choosing an DHA Approved Insurer: The next step is to choose a government-approved insurer. It’s important to choose an insurer that is recognized and approved by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA).
- Submitting the necessary documents: You will need to provide all the necessary documentation, including: Passport copy (front page), Visa Copy, and Emirates ID copy (front and back). You must also provide a completed Health Declaration Form.
- Completing the Premium Payment: Once you have provided the necessary documentation, the last step is to pay your insurance premiums.
Once you have completed all of the above described steps, you will receive your virtual Health Card. Health Insurance policies now are through the EID, which will be used to confirm that you have valid medical insurance and can avail of the services you seek.