Is Health Insurance Mandatory in UAE?
Yes — in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Here is what the minimum cover must include and who pays.
The Short Answer: Yes (in Dubai and Abu Dhabi)
Dubai: Health insurance is mandatory for all residents since 2016. Employers must provide it for employees and their dependents. Freelancers and self-employed must arrange their own.
Abu Dhabi: Mandatory since 2008. Employers provide Daman Thiqa (for UAE nationals) or Daman Basic (for expats). Dependents must be covered separately.
Other Emirates: Not yet mandatory but recommended.
Dubai Minimum Essential Benefits Package (MEBP)
The cheapest compliant Dubai health insurance (often called "basic plan") must cover:
- •Inpatient and day-patient treatment
- •Outpatient consultations (co-pay up to AED 50 per visit)
- •Prescription drugs (co-pay up to 20%)
- •Maternity (basic)
- •Dental and vision (emergency only in basic plans)
- •Pre-existing conditions (after 6-month waiting period)
Cost of basic plans: AED 500–1,200/year for employees.
Who Pays for What
| Scenario | Who Pays |
|---|
|----------|----------|
| Employee health insurance | Employer (mandatory) |
|---|---|
| Children's insurance | Employer or parent |
| Domestic worker insurance | Employer/sponsor |
| Self-employed / freelance | Individual pays own policy |
| Between jobs | Individual must maintain cover |
Upgrading Your Cover
Basic MEBP plans have AED 150,000–250,000 annual limits. For a family with children, upgrade to a mid-tier plan (AED 2,000–5,000/year) for:
- •Higher annual limits (AED 500K–1M)
- •Dental and optical
- •Maternity (comprehensive)
- •International cover for emergencies