Yes, health insurance is legally required for all employees and residents in the UAE, and coverage is also required for most visitors and dependents. The UAE has launched a nationwide mandatory health insurance scheme to provide affordable, standardized healthcare for everyone across the country, unifying requirements in all seven emirates.
1. Who Must Have Health Insurance in the UAE?
| Category | Health Insurance Requirement |
|---|---|
| Private sector employees | Mandatory. Employers must purchase a Basic Health Insurance plan to issue or renew residency permits. |
| Domestic workers | Mandatory. Employers must provide health insurance, including for maids, nannies, drivers, etc. |
| Family dependents | Coverage strongly advised; required in some emirates. Most employers are not required to pay for dependents. |
| Freelancers, self-employed | Must purchase private or group health insurance for visa purposes (in applicable cases). |
| Visitors and tourists | Proof of health insurance required when applying for a visit/tourist visa or at entry. |
| Emirati citizens | Enrolled in government healthcare programs (e.g., Enaya in Dubai, Thiqa in Abu Dhabi). |
2. Key Dates and Compliance
January 1, 2025: Law takes effect nationwide. New work permits or visa renewals require valid health insurance.
June 30, 2025: Final deadline for all existing residents (including those outside Abu Dhabi and Dubai) to obtain mandatory coverage.
Quarterly compliance checks: Regular audits by UAE immigration and insurance authorities ensure all residents and employees remain covered.
3. What Does the UAE Basic Health Insurance Provide?
The Basic Health Insurance package is designed for affordability and universal access:
- Annual premium: AED 320 per individual.
- Coverage cap: Up to AED 150,000 per year for each insured person.
- Services covered:
- Emergency care, surgeries, diagnostics
- Outpatient and inpatient care
- Maternity care
- Co-payments:
- Inpatient: 20% (up to AED 500 per visit, AED 1,000 annually), then fully covered.
- Outpatient: 25% (up to AED 100 per visit); follow-up within 7 days is free.
- Medication: 30% (up to AED 1,500 annually).
- Chronic & pre-existing conditions: Covered from day one, with no waiting period for coverage.
- Telehealth: Phone/online consultations included, with no co-payment.
- Pharmacy network: Dozens of clinics and pharmacies included for cashless/reimbursed services.
4. Who Pays for Insurance?
- Private sector companies and sponsors: Must buy health insurance for all staff and domestic workers, regardless of company size or sector.
- Family dependents: Employees are responsible; some larger firms offer subsidized or group plans.
- Visitors: Must purchase travel or visitor health insurance as part of visa process.
5. What Happens If You Don’t Have Insurance?
- Employees & workers: Cannot obtain or renew residency permits until proof of health insurance is provided.
- Employers: Face fines, business license complications, and visa delays for non-compliance.
- Individuals: May have Emirates ID renewal or visa applications rejected; risk of high out-of-pocket medical expenses.
6. Special Features and Upgrades
Enhanced plans: For an extra AED 120, broader coverage is available as a “top-up,” bringing the total annual premium to AED 440 and expanding the range of services and procedures covered.
Dependents & family coverage: Anticipated to become mandatory nationwide, as in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, but may not be employer-paid in all emirates yet.
7. Comparison: Previous vs. New System
| Feature | Abu Dhabi/Dubai (Pre-2025) | Sharjah/Northern Emirates (Pre-2025) | All Emirates (From 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employee coverage mandatory | Yes | No / Not consistently | Yes |
| Employer provides insurance | Yes | No / Varied | Yes |
| Penalties for non-compliance | Yes | Rare / Minor | Yes (fines, visa disruption) |
| Cost of basic plan (est.) | AED 400–800 | N/A | Standardized from AED 320 (AED 440 for enhanced) |
| Chronic/pre-existing cover | Yes (waiting period in some cases) | N/A | Yes, no waiting period on new basic plan |
8. What Should Residents and Visitors Do?
- Employees: Confirm with your employer that insurance is active and meets the 2025 requirements.
- SMEs and business owners: Arrange compliant coverage for all workers via approved providers.
- Dependents/families: Secure coverage for spouses and children if not offered by employer.
- Visitors: Arrange medical/travel insurance before applying for a UAE visa or traveling.
Regularly check your insurance status through the government portal or linked Emirates ID system to avoid problems at renewal or entry.
Health insurance is now universally required in the UAE for residents, employees, domestic workers, and most visitors. The unified, affordable basic coverage plan ensures everyone can access necessary healthcare and legal residency, while making UAE a leader in healthcare accessibility in the region.