UAE healthcare is regulated per emirate: Dubai is under the DHA; Abu Dhabi is under the DoH (formerly HAAD). Health insurance is mandatory for every resident, including foreigners.
Health insurance
- Usually provided by your employer (UAE labour law requires it).
- Family coverage (spouse, children) often requires separate enrollment. Check your contract.
- Basic plans favour public hospitals and designated clinics. Comprehensive plans give broader access to private hospitals.
- In-network vs out-of-network matters. Confirm before visiting.
Public vs private
- Public (DHA / SEHA / DoH networks) — serve Emiratis and basic insurance holders. English available, but long waits possible.
- Private — international patient focus. Major groups: American Hospital, Mediclinic, NMC, Aster, Saudi German, Zulekha.
Emergency numbers
- 999 — Police
- 998 — Ambulance · Fire (UAE standard)
- 997 — Fire (Dubai)
- 911 partially routed in some areas, but 998 is canonical
Bring your insurance card to any ER. For life-threatening situations, call 999 / 998 first.
Insurance is mandatory — and it gates your visa
Since 1 January 2025, valid health insurance is required to issue or renew a residence visa in all seven emirates. The key facts:
- Your employer must insure you. Minimum annual cover is AED 150,000 in Dubai; Abu Dhabi requires AED 250,000 and the employer must also cover your spouse + up to three children under 18.
- Dubai covers the employee only by law — dependents are the sponsor's responsibility, so budget for spouse/children cover if it isn't provided.
- Employer-provided plans are often basic tier (public hospitals + designated clinics). If you want broad private-hospital access, you may need to upgrade or buy a top-up plan yourself.
- No valid policy = visa renewal is blocked, and employers face monthly fines per uninsured worker.
How a typical visit works
- Confirm your clinic/hospital is in-network for your plan (check the insurer's app or call).
- Present Emirates ID + insurance card at reception.
- Pay any co-pay (commonly 20% on consultations, capped per visit).
- Prescriptions are filled at the in-house or a chain pharmacy (Aster, Life, BinSina).
Out-of-network care means paying upfront and claiming back — or not being covered at all. Always verify first.
Things to watch
- Prescription medications: some drugs are restricted (sedatives, strong painkillers, certain cough syrups). Some need MoHAP pre-approval. Carry an English prescription + doctor's letter for anything you bring from home.
- Communicable disease screening: part of the residence-visa medical (TB, HIV, hepatitis). Positive results trigger policy-based responses.
- Immunisation records: required for school enrolment — bring your children's vaccination history, translated if needed.
- Pharmacies are everywhere and many open 24/7, but pharmacists can only dispense controlled drugs against a local prescription.