Health Insurance in Dubai

Without health insurance in Dubai, you will not be able to apply or renew a visa, and failure to do so will result in a monthly fine.

The most difficult thing is to choose an insurance company and decide on an insurance package that suits your needs, as there are many medical plans to choose from. The most affordable ones are suitable for covering accidents and treating seasonal illnesses, however if you have a chronic medical condition, it may be worth taking a more expensive package. When the plan is chosen, you need to send your documents to the company's email and then you will receive a response and all the documentation for the issued insurance.

Health insurance can be taken out online. It takes a lot of time to choose a company and an insurance package, so at this stage, it's important to find a good plan for yourself, taking into account chronic diseases and other needs, if you have them.

Importantly! On the Dubai Health Authority’s website, you can see all insurance companies, their packages and prices.

The registration process will take only 15-20 minutes. To do this, you need to:

When filling out an application, you need to attach the following documents:

The cost of health insurance is influenced by: gender, age, the presence of chronic diseases, the number of people for whom the policy is issued, and the services that are included in it. For example:

The health insurance policy must meet or exceed the minimum level set by the Department of Health – EBP (Essential Benefits Plan). To understand how other plans differ from EBP, you need to look at what it covers.

With an EBP policy, you can apply for treatment of SARS or influenza by taking the simplest tests. This includes simple surgeries and the diagnostic procedures required for them. For rehabilitation after surgery, you can sign up for physiotherapy, but no more than six sessions per year are allowed. At the same time, patients have to pay up to 20% of the total medical costs. The insurance company will pay for all prescribed medicines, including those for prophylaxis or immunity, up to 70% of the cost.

If you have chronic diseases, be sure to inform the insurance company when taking out a policy. For the first six months, EBP will not cover treatment, however after that, you will be able to be treated without co-payments.

Pregnant women who have an EBP will be able to visit a doctor no more than eight times, take a blood test, and do three ultrasounds without having to pay additional costs. This type of insurance will also cover childbirth; regardless of whether you give birth naturally or you need a caesarean section. You will never need to cover more than 10% of the cost.

Importantly! Mother's insurance covers newborns during the first thirty days of life. The baby will undergo neonatal screening and the necessary tests.

The more expensive the coverage, the more treatments it offers. Most often, more expensive insurance is also valid in other countries, and additionally includes:

If you need new tests or medications in the future that aren't covered by your insurance, you can change your health insurance plan. But, only after the old one ends.

Importantly! After taking out insurance, many people activate the auto-renewal option. It is better not to do this so that you have the opportunity to change your insurance plan.

Insurance revision is required if:

The UAE Health Card can be issued instead of or in addition to private insurance for yourself and your children. For foreigners, it is issued for a year with the possibility of extension. With the UAE Health Card, you can go to public hospitals and often receive treatment cheaper than in private medical institutions.

You can apply for the UAE Health Card online, through the website of the Dubai Health Authority or offline at the following medical institutions: Primary Healthcare Centres, Rashid Hospital, Latifa Hospital, Hatta Hospital and Dubai Hospital.

The price of the UAE Health Card for children (0-9 years old) is AED 100 (USD 27), and for teenagers (10-17 years old) it is AED 200 (USD 54). The cost of the card for an adult is AED 300 (USD 82).

Registering for insurance takes 15-20 minutes, but it can take longer to choose an insurance company and a medical plan that will serve you best. If you are healthy, you can buy one of the cheaper packages on the market. For those with chronic diseases, it is better to devote time and thoroughly research each company and their plans to decide which insurance will be the most suitable, so that you don’t overpay for treatment later. And remember, the insurance package can be changed only when the old one has expired.

You can apply for private insurance online on the website of the selected insurance company. To do this, you will need to submit your Emirates ID, a completed application form, previous insurance (if any) and photos in JPEG format.