If you work in the private sector in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah or any other emirate, your employer now has to give you medical cover. UAE health insurance for employees used to depend on which emirate you lived in. Since 1 January 2025, the federal government has made it a condition for issuing or renewing residence visas everywhere in the country.
This guide explains what employers must provide, what the basic plan covers and costs, how Dubai and Abu Dhabi rules differ, and whether an employer can deduct the premium from your salary. It is based on the official UAE government portal (u.ae), Dubai's health insurance law and the Dubai Health Authority's ISAHD FAQ, all opened on 3 November 2026.
Please note: this article is general information, not professional legal or insurance advice. Rules change, so check the official sources linked below or speak to a qualified professional before you decide. Read our disclaimer.
Table of contents
Is UAE health insurance mandatory?
Yes. According to u.ae, which cites the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), from 1 January 2025 employers must buy health insurance for private-sector employees and domestic workers as a prerequisite for issuing or renewing their residency. Cover was already compulsory in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The new rule extended it to Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.
The portal mentions an exception for some workers who already held valid work permits before the scheme started; they move onto it when their permit is renewed. Check the exact cut-off with MoHRE or your HR team if you think it applies to you.
The basic UAE health insurance package
For the northern emirates, MoHRE introduced a low-cost basic plan that employers can buy. The u.ae portal lists these terms:
| Feature | Basic package (u.ae) |
|---|---|
| Annual premium | AED 320 per year |
| Policy period | 2 years, linked to the residence visa |
| Eligible ages | 1 to 64 (over 64 needs a medical disclosure form) |
| Chronic illness | No waiting period |
| Inpatient co-pay | 20%, maximum AED 500 per visit and AED 1,000 per year (including medication) |
| Outpatient co-pay | 25%, maximum AED 100 per visit; no co-pay for a follow-up within 7 days |
| Medication co-pay | 30%, capped at AED 1,500 a year |
| Network | 7 hospitals, 46 clinics and 45 pharmacies |
The second-year premium is refundable if the visa is cancelled. Employers can buy the package through Dubai Insurance, accredited insurers or the Insurance Pool, the portal says. Dependants can be added with the same benefits and pricing.
This basic UAE health insurance plan is minimum cover. Many employers, especially hotels and large groups, give better plans with wider networks and lower co-pays, so ask HR for your policy schedule.
Dubai: UAE health insurance law for employers
Dubai's Law No. 11 of 2013 on health insurance is clear. Under Article 10, an employer must enrol its employees in a health insurance scheme, bear the cost, must not charge that cost to the employee, and must keep the policy valid for the whole period of employment. Article 11 places a similar duty on sponsors for the people they sponsor.
The ISAHD FAQ run by the Dubai Health Authority adds that the employer pays the full premium and it can never be deducted from salary. The minimum level of cover in Dubai is the Essential Benefits Plan (EBP). Employers are encouraged to cover dependants, and if they do not, the sponsor (often the employee) is responsible for them. Non-compliance can bring penalties under Law No. 11 of 2013.
Abu Dhabi: UAE health insurance for families
In Abu Dhabi, the u.ae portal says employers and sponsors are responsible for providing health insurance for employees and their families, defined as one spouse and up to three children under 18. UAE nationals are covered by the government's Thiqa programme. If you are moving to Abu Dhabi with a family, confirm in writing which family members your employer's policy includes.
Your UAE health insurance rights as an employee
- No salary deductions for your own cover. In Dubai the law and the ISAHD FAQ say the employer bears the premium. Across the UAE the scheme makes the employer the buyer, so question any deduction for your own policy.
- Get your card before you need it. Ask HR for your insurance card or digital card and the network list as soon as your visa is issued.
- Check dependants separately. Family cover is not automatic in every emirate. Compare it with what you might pay privately.
- Know your co-pays. Even the basic UAE health insurance plan has caps, so keep receipts and check them against your policy.
UAE health insurance only applies while you hold residency. For parents back home, see our guide to health insurance for NRI parents in India, and for visiting family, read visitor insurance for parents. Leaving a job? Work out your end-of-service pay with our UAE gratuity calculation guide.
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UAE health insurance tips for hotel workers
Hospitality is one of the biggest employers of expats in the UAE, and many staff are on shared accommodation contracts. Before you sign an offer, check that it mentions UAE health insurance, the plan level and whether family cover is included. Moving to Dubai for work? Our sister blog explains how to travel to Dubai for a job step by step.
Sources
This guide was checked against these official and reputable sources on 3 November 2026:
- UAE Government portal (u.ae): Getting a health insurance (updated 8 September 2026, source MoHRE)
- Dubai Legislation Portal: Law No. (11) of 2013 regarding Health Insurance in the Emirate of Dubai
- Insurance System for Advancing Healthcare in Dubai (ISAHD, Dubai Health Authority): FAQ
FAQ: uae health insurance
Is medical insurance mandatory in the UAE?
Yes. From 1 January 2025, u.ae says employers must buy health insurance for private-sector employees and domestic workers before their residency can be issued or renewed, in every emirate.
How much does basic UAE health insurance cost?
The basic package listed on u.ae costs AED 320 a year, with a two-year policy linked to the residence visa, and co-pays capped for inpatient, outpatient and medication costs.
Can my employer deduct health insurance from my salary in Dubai?
No. Dubai's Law No. 11 of 2013 and the ISAHD FAQ say the employer bears the full premium and cannot charge it to the employee.
Does my employer have to cover my family?
In Abu Dhabi, employers and sponsors must cover employees and families (one spouse and up to three children under 18). In Dubai employers are encouraged to cover dependants; otherwise the sponsor is responsible.
What does the basic UAE health insurance package cover?
It covers inpatient, outpatient and medication within a network of 7 hospitals, 46 clinics and 45 pharmacies, with no waiting period for chronic illness and capped co-pays.
Read next
- Health insurance for NRI parents in India: 9 things to check
- Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY) explained
- UAE gratuity calculation with worked examples
- Term insurance for NRI buyers: how to buy from abroad
- Visitor insurance for parents visiting the US, Canada, UK or Australia
- Power of attorney for NRI property and banking
- More Health Insurance guides
- About Expat Insurance & Law
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About the author: Sumit Manwal
Sumit Manwal is the founder of Hospitality Vacancy, the job site built for the hotel industry. He is passionate about helping hotel management students and hospitality professionals build successful careers, and connects talented people with hotel jobs across India, the Gulf and Europe. On Expat Insurance & Law he writes clear, practical insurance and legal-paperwork guides for NRIs and expat workers in the Gulf, US, UK, Canada and Australia, so every reader can make confident decisions about their work and life. He is not a legal or insurance professional, so every guide here links to official sources and he encourages readers to confirm details with a qualified expert before acting.
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