Quick answers: healthcare in United Arab Emirates
- How much does health insurance cost in United Arab Emirates for expats?
- Indicative international health insurance for a 32-year-old living in United Arab Emirates (inpatient and outpatient, mid-level plan, worldwide excluding the USA) typically costs £279 to £463 a month, with a median of £368 and the cheapest at £144, based on 13 plan quotes from the 14 insurers on our panel, taken in 2026-09. Your price depends on your age, medical history, plan and deductible, and is only confirmed by the insurer.
- How much does expat health insurance cost by age in United Arab Emirates?
- Indicative median monthly premiums in United Arab Emirates (inpatient and outpatient, mid-level plan, worldwide excluding the USA): age 25 US$302, age 35 US$422, age 45 US$529, age 55 US$862, age 65 US$1,473. Quotes taken 2026-09; the insurer confirms the final price. Shown in US$. Other HealthiNomad prices are in GBP.
- Do foreigners need health insurance in United Arab Emirates?
- It depends on the visa. Employees in Dubai: Every expatriate employed by a Dubai or free-zone licensed entity must be insured. Dependants: In Dubai, the visa sponsor must insure a spouse, children and domestic workers. Employees in Abu Dhabi: The employer must insure the employee, one spouse and up to three children under 18. Employees in Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain: Since 1 January 2025, private-sector and domestic-worker employers must buy health insurance before a residence permit is issued or renewed. Entry insurance rules for United Arab Emirates
- Can foreigners use public healthcare in United Arab Emirates?
- Expat residents can use Dubai's government hospitals (such as Rashid, Dubai, Latifa and Jebel Ali), but treatment is not free for them. Uninsured patients pay self-pay fees, for example about AED 188 for an emergency consultation and AED 225 to AED 255 for a specialist consultation at Dubai Hospital. Most residents are covered by employer insurance, which must be in place for Dubai and Abu Dhabi workers and, since 2025, is a condition of residence permits for private-sector workers in the other emirates.
- Do hospitals in United Arab Emirates ask foreigners to pay upfront?
- Yes. The US State Department says hospitals usually require advance payment or proof of adequate insurance before admitting a patient, except in emergencies. The UK FCDO warns that facilities may refuse treatment without insurance or proof you can pay, and that you may be prevented from leaving the UAE if you cannot pay a medical bill.
- What is the emergency number in United Arab Emirates?
- Call 998 for an ambulance in United Arab Emirates.
What health insurance costs in United Arab Emirates (indicative)
These are indicative prices, based on 13 plan quotes from the 14 international insurers on our panel, for one standard profile: a 32-year-old living in United Arab Emirates, inpatient and outpatient cover, mid-level plan, worldwide excluding the USA. The typical monthly price is £279 to £463, with a median of £368 and the cheapest at £144. Your actual price depends on your age, medical history, the plan, your deductible and where you want cover, and is only confirmed by the insurer. Snapshot 2026-09-24. See the Health Insurance Cost Index.
Indicative prices: the 5 lowest of 13 plan quotes, monthly in GBP, cheapest mid-level plan in each insurer's range. Quotes taken 2026-09-24.
See the figures
| Age | Cheapest | Median | Higher end | Plans quoted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | US$159 | US$302 | US$488 | 14 |
| 35 | US$227 | US$422 | US$548 | 14 |
| 45 | US$266 | US$529 | US$729 | 14 |
| 55 | US$444 | US$862 | US$1,104 | 14 |
| 65 | US$649 | US$1,473 | US$1,969 | 13 |
Indicative. Single adult, inpatient and outpatient, cheapest mid-level plan per insurer, worldwide excluding the USA. Quotes taken 2026-09-29. The insurer confirms the final price. Shown in US$. Other HealthiNomad prices are in GBP.
How healthcare works for expats
The UAE runs a mixed system where government hospitals sit alongside a large private sector, and almost all care for expats is paid through compulsory health insurance. Each emirate sets its own insurance rules: Dubai and Abu Dhabi have their own schemes, and a federal basic scheme has covered private-sector workers in the other five emirates since 1 January 2025. Insured residents use private and government facilities through their policy's network, while uninsured patients and visitors pay cash at published or quoted rates.
Public care and state schemes
Expat residents can use Dubai's government hospitals (such as Rashid, Dubai, Latifa and Jebel Ali), but treatment is not free for them. Uninsured patients pay self-pay fees, for example about AED 188 for an emergency consultation and AED 225 to AED 255 for a specialist consultation at Dubai Hospital. Most residents are covered by employer insurance, which must be in place for Dubai and Abu Dhabi workers and, since 2025, is a condition of residence permits for private-sector workers in the other emirates.
Private hospitals
The main private groups include Mediclinic, American Hospital Dubai, King's College Hospital Dubai, Emirates Hospitals, Aster, Medcare and NMC. Insured patients are usually billed directly under their network. Many hospitals publish fixed cash packages for maternity, screening and day procedures, such as a normal delivery at AED 12,000 at Dubai London Hospital or Emirates Specialty Hospital. Package terms exclude items such as lab work, NICU stays and complications, and some prices exclude 5% VAT.
Paying up front
Yes. The US State Department says hospitals usually require advance payment or proof of adequate insurance before admitting a patient, except in emergencies. The UK FCDO warns that facilities may refuse treatment without insurance or proof you can pay, and that you may be prevented from leaving the UAE if you cannot pay a medical bill.
Typical medical costs in United Arab Emirates
Published prices, mostly from private hospitals. Pound figures are approximate conversions.
| Treatment | Price | About |
|---|---|---|
| GP consultation, private clinic9 Dubai, per consultation, self-pay | AED 150 to AED 500 | £31 to £103 |
| Specialist consultation, Dubai Hospital (government), self-pay8 Dubai, per consultation (AED 255 for cardiology) | AED 225 to AED 255 | £46 to £52 |
| Emergency department consultation, Dubai Hospital (government), self-pay8,21 Dubai, per consultation, before tests and treatment | AED 188 | £39 |
| MRI scan, single body region without contrast10 Dubai, per scan | AED 900 to AED 3,000 | £185 to £617 |
| Normal delivery package (Dubai London Hospital; Emirates Specialty Hospital DHCC)1,2 Dubai, per package, 2 nights; Dubai London price excludes VAT | AED 12,000 | £2,470 |
| Caesarean delivery package (Emirates Specialty Hospital DHCC; Dubai London Hospital)1,3 Dubai, per package, 3 nights; Dubai London price excludes VAT | AED 18,000 to AED 18,500 | £3,704 to £3,807 |
| Colonoscopy package with one biopsy (Emirates Hospitals; CMC Dubai)4,5 Dubai, per procedure (CMC AED 4,000 offer, AED 7,500 regular; Emirates AED 4,250) | AED 4,000 to AED 7,500 | £823 to £1,544 |
| Dental evaluation with X-rays, scale and polish, Emirates Hospitals6 Dubai, per visit | AED 500 | £103 |
| Cataract surgery, one eye, Emirates Hospitals7 Dubai, per eye | AED 15,000 | £3,087 |
Health insurance rules for foreigners
Employees in Dubai
Every expatriate employed by a Dubai or free-zone licensed entity must be insured. The employer pays for at least the DHA Essential Benefits Plan (the minimum for staff earning AED 4,000 a month or less) and cannot deduct the cost from salary. Employers face fines of AED 500 to AED 1,000 a month for each uninsured employee.15,16
Dependants
In Dubai, the visa sponsor must insure a spouse, children and domestic workers. Employers are not required to cover dependants, so a sponsoring employee who gets no family cover through work must buy it. In the five emirates on the federal scheme, dependants can join the basic plan on the same benefits and price as the worker.13,14,15
Employees in Abu Dhabi
The employer must insure the employee, one spouse and up to three children under 18. The fine is AED 1,000 a month for each uninsured person.13,16
Employees in Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain
Since 1 January 2025, private-sector and domestic-worker employers must buy health insurance before a residence permit is issued or renewed. The federal basic plan costs AED 320 a year for ages 1 to 64. Co-payments are 20% for inpatient care (maximum AED 500 per visit, AED 1,000 a year), 25% for outpatient care (maximum AED 100 per visit) and 30% for medicines (annual cap AED 1,500). Permits issued before 1 January 2024 fall under the rule at renewal.13,14
Remote work visa (virtual work residence)
The one-year virtual work residence permit (via ICP or GDRFA Dubai) requires a copy of health insurance, a medical fitness test and proof of salary of at least USD 3,500 a month from an employer outside the UAE. It can be renewed.17,18
Tourists
The FCDO says to hold adequate travel health insurance covering treatment and repatriation. Facilities may refuse treatment without insurance or proof you can pay, and unpaid medical bills can stop you leaving the UAE. The US State Department says hospitals usually want advance payment or proof of insurance before admission, except in emergencies.19,20
Tips before you buy cover
- If you are on a virtual work residence permit, you need a health insurance policy for the application, and no employer scheme will cover you. Check that your policy is accepted for the visa and works at UAE hospitals before you apply.
- The Essential Benefits Plan and the AED 320 federal basic plan carry co-payments of 20% to 30% and cover a limited network. If you want private hospitals such as Mediclinic or King's College Hospital, check whether your plan includes them or top it up.
- If you sponsor family in Dubai, your employer does not have to insure them. Budget for your own family policy, or maternity packages of AED 12,000 to AED 18,500 will be paid in cash.
- Carry your insurance card. Hospitals usually ask for payment or proof of insurance before admission, and an unpaid bill can stop you leaving the country.
- Cash maternity and procedure packages exclude lab work, NICU stays, complications and sometimes VAT. Ask for the exclusions in writing before comparing them with what your policy pays.
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Sources
- 1.Maternity Packages, Dubai London Hospital (2026)
- 2.Normal Delivery Package - Emirates Specialty Hospital (DHCC), Emirates Hospitals Group (2026)
- 3.Caesarean Delivery Package - Emirates Specialty Hospital (DHCC), Emirates Hospitals Group (2026)
- 4.Colonoscopy Screening Package, Emirates Hospitals Group (2026)
- 5.Colorectal Cancer Screening Colonoscopy Package, CMC Dubai (2026)
- 6.Dental Evaluation Package, Emirates Hospitals Group (2026)
- 7.Cataract Surgery Cost in Dubai, Emirates Hospitals Group (2026)
- 8.Dubai Hospital Service Catalogue, Dubai Health Authority (2022-06)
- 9.GP Consultation Cost Dubai, Doctors Clinic Dubai (2026-05)
- 10.Complete Guide to MRI Scan in Dubai, Doctors Clinic Dubai (2025-01)
- 11.MRI Scan in Dubai, MVR Diagnostic Centre (2026)
- 13.Getting a health insurance, UAE Government (u.ae) (2025-10)
- 14.The Basic Health Insurance Scheme, Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (2025)
- 15.Frequently Asked Questions, Dubai Health Authority, Health Insurance (ISAHD) (2026)
- 16.UAE Health Insurance Law 2026: Mandatory Rules by Emirate, HAYAH Insurance (2026-06)
- 17.Issuance of the virtual work residence permit, GDRFA Dubai (2026)
- 18.Residence visa for working outside the UAE, UAE Government (u.ae) (2026-08)
- 19.United Arab Emirates travel advice: Health, UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (2026-07)
- 20.United Arab Emirates International Travel Information, US Department of State (2023-08)
- 21.Government hospitals in Dubai: Can residents get free treatment?, Khaleej Times (2024-12)
- 22.AED exchange rates, ExchangeRate-API (2026-09)
Costs and rules change. Always check with the hospital, the insurer or the relevant authority before relying on a figure.