Health insurance is now a core part of the UAE residence and employment system. Private-sector workers and domestic workers across all seven emirates are covered by mandatory health insurance frameworks, but the exact rules are not identical everywhere.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi have their own established mandatory insurance systems. Since 1 January 2025, the federal Basic Health Insurance Scheme has extended mandatory worker coverage to Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah. In those five emirates, MOHRE says employers must arrange health insurance when issuing or renewing eligible workers' residence permits.
Family rules need a separate check. In Dubai, a sponsor must arrange insurance for resident dependents if they are not covered by an employer. Abu Dhabi has its own family coverage rules. For federal residence applications, ICP also lists valid health insurance among the required documents for relevant family residence categories.
The practical rule is simple: check which emirate regulates the residence, who sponsors each person, and who is responsible for the policy before starting or renewing a residence application.
Quick Answer
| Question | Practical answer |
|---|---|
| Is health insurance mandatory for UAE private-sector workers? | Yes. Mandatory worker coverage now applies across all seven emirates through emirate-specific or federal systems. |
| Who insures a worker in Dubai? | The Dubai employer is responsible for providing employee health insurance. |
| Who insures family dependents in Dubai? | If the employer does not cover them, the resident sponsor must arrange coverage for sponsored dependents. |
| What is the Abu Dhabi rule? | Health insurance is compulsory for non-UAE national residents and their families. DoH rules place coverage responsibilities on employers and sponsors. |
| What changed in the other five emirates? | From 1 January 2025, mandatory health insurance was extended to private-sector workers and domestic workers in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah. |
| Is insurance linked to residence issuance or renewal? | Yes. MOHRE and ICP guidance connects valid health insurance with issuance or renewal of residence permits in applicable categories. |
| How much is the federal basic package? | MOHRE currently lists AED 320 per year for its Basic Health Insurance package. This is not the price of every UAE insurance plan. |
| Can family members use the federal basic package? | MOHRE says dependents can access the same benefits and pricing subject to the policy terms. |
| Does the federal basic package cover pregnancy and childbirth? | MOHRE's current FAQ says pregnancy, childbirth, and dental care are not covered by that basic package. |
| Do all employers have to cover an employee's spouse and children? | No single rule should be applied to every emirate. Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the federal emirates have different responsibilities. |
Who This Guide Is For
This guide is for:
- Pakistani, Indian, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Nepali, and other expat workers moving to the UAE
- private-sector employees renewing a residence permit
- workers moving from one emirate to another
- residents sponsoring a spouse or children
- families trying to understand whether the employer or sponsor must arrange insurance
- domestic worker sponsors
- people comparing a basic policy with broader family medical cover
- new residents who have health insurance through an employer but are unsure whether their family is included
- long-term residence holders who need to confirm how health insurance applies to their own sponsorship arrangement
If you are preparing to sponsor a spouse or children, read our UAE family visa salary requirement guide alongside this article. Family residence eligibility and health insurance are separate requirements, so satisfying one does not automatically satisfy the other.
The UAE Does Not Have One Identical Health Insurance Rule for Every Emirate
This is the first thing to understand.
People often hear that "health insurance is mandatory in the UAE" and assume that the same insurer, price, family responsibility, and benefits apply in every emirate.
They do not.
The UAE now has mandatory worker coverage across all seven emirates, but the regulatory structure is split:
| Emirate | Main framework to check |
|---|---|
| Dubai | Dubai Health Authority and Dubai health insurance rules |
| Abu Dhabi | Department of Health Abu Dhabi |
| Sharjah | Federal Basic Health Insurance Scheme for covered private-sector and domestic workers, plus residence requirements |
| Ajman | Federal Basic Health Insurance Scheme for covered private-sector and domestic workers, plus residence requirements |
| Umm Al Quwain | Federal Basic Health Insurance Scheme for covered private-sector and domestic workers, plus residence requirements |
| Ras Al Khaimah | Federal Basic Health Insurance Scheme for covered private-sector and domestic workers, plus residence requirements |
| Fujairah | Federal Basic Health Insurance Scheme for covered private-sector and domestic workers, plus residence requirements |
The correct question is therefore not only:
"Do I need insurance?"
It is:
"Which authority regulates my residence, who is sponsoring me, and which insurance rule applies to my category?"
What Changed Across the UAE From 1 January 2025?
Before 2025, Dubai and Abu Dhabi already had mandatory health insurance systems.
MOHRE then extended mandatory coverage to private-sector employees and domestic workers in:
- Sharjah
- Ajman
- Umm Al Quwain
- Ras Al Khaimah
- Fujairah
MOHRE's official Basic Health Insurance Scheme guidance says that, from 1 January 2025, employers must purchase health insurance as a prerequisite for issuing or renewing the residence permits of workers covered by the new scheme.
MOHRE also states that workers who already had valid work residence permits issued before 1 January 2025 become subject to the requirement when their residence permits are renewed.
This change means a worker in Sharjah or Ras Al Khaimah should no longer assume that mandatory employer-provided insurance is only a Dubai or Abu Dhabi issue.
Health Insurance Requirements for Workers in Dubai
Dubai has had compulsory medical insurance for years.
Official Dubai Health Authority guidance states that workers employed by Dubai-registered employers, including covered free-zone entities, must have health insurance.
The basic principle is:
The employer provides health insurance for the employee.
The official UAE Government health insurance overview also states that employers in Dubai are required to provide health insurance coverage for their employees.
What if your employer says you must arrange your own policy?
Ask for clarification before purchasing anything yourself.
Useful questions include:
- Is the company registered in Dubai?
- Is your health policy already active under the company's group insurance?
- What is the insurer name and member number?
- When does the policy start?
- Does the policy satisfy the current Dubai residence and insurance requirements?
- Is the company asking you to upgrade coverage, or asking you to pay for the mandatory employee policy itself?
Do not assume that a medical insurance card and your Emirates ID are the same thing. Many insurers now use digital cards or Emirates ID-based eligibility, but you still need to confirm that the insurance policy is active.
Health Insurance for Spouses and Children in Dubai
This is where families often get surprised.
Dubai's mandatory insurance framework requires resident dependents to have health coverage.
DHA guidance says employers are encouraged to provide insurance for employees' spouses and dependents, but where the employer does not cover them, the sponsor is responsible for arranging the dependent's health insurance.
So if your wife and children are under your personal sponsorship, check your employment contract first.
Your company may provide:
- employee-only cover
- employee plus spouse
- employee plus children
- full family cover
If the contract or company policy covers only you, do not assume your family is insured.
Before submitting or renewing family residence applications, confirm each dependent's active health insurance.
For the sponsorship side of the process, our UAE family visa guide explains the residence requirements that sit alongside the insurance requirement.
Health Insurance Requirements in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi has its own mandatory health insurance law and Department of Health regulations.
The official DoH health insurance legislation states that health insurance is compulsory for non-UAE national residents of Abu Dhabi and their families.
It also states that an employer must enroll employees and specified family members, including:
- the employee's wife
- up to three children under 18
A sponsor must arrange coverage for sponsored people who are not covered by an employer.
The UAE Government's health insurance page summarises the Abu Dhabi position in the same way.
Does that mean the employer always pays every dirham for family cover?
Do not make that assumption.
Abu Dhabi has detailed policy, premium, eligibility, and cost-sharing rules that can depend on the insurance product and category.
The important legal point for a family preparing residence paperwork is that the required people must be enrolled in valid insurance.
If you need to know exactly who bears a particular premium or co-payment, check the current policy terms and the latest Department of Health rules rather than relying on an old HR practice.
Pregnancy and Maternity Cover in Abu Dhabi
Families should check maternity coverage before buying a policy based only on price.
A 2025 Department of Health Abu Dhabi circular reaffirmed employer and responsible sponsor obligations and specifically addressed health insurance coverage for pregnancy and childbirth for women falling within the relevant family coverage responsibilities.
Official source: DoH Abu Dhabi Circular No. 15 of 2025 on pregnancy and childbirth insurance coverage
If pregnancy or planned maternity is relevant, ask the insurer for written confirmation of:
- maternity coverage
- waiting periods, if any
- hospital network
- outpatient maternity visits
- delivery limits
- newborn cover
- pre-authorisation requirements
- co-payments or deductibles
Do not rely on the words "family insurance" alone.
Health Insurance in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah
For private-sector employees and domestic workers in these five emirates, MOHRE's federal scheme is now the key starting point.
The official scheme applies to:
- private-sector workers
- domestic workers
MOHRE states that the employer bears the health insurance financial obligation when issuing or renewing the worker's residence permit.
The policy can be purchased through the approved channels listed by MOHRE.
Official source: MOHRE Basic Health Insurance Scheme
The AED 320 basic package
MOHRE currently lists its Basic Health Insurance package at:
AED 320 per year
This is an official figure for that specific basic package.
It is not a universal UAE health insurance price.
A private policy in Dubai, an Abu Dhabi family plan, maternity cover, enhanced hospital networks, an older applicant, or a plan with wider benefits can cost differently.
Fees change often. Confirm the exact amount in the official portal or with an approved insurer before payment.
How long is the federal basic policy valid?
MOHRE currently says the basic policy is valid for two years and that the second-year premium can be refundable if the residence visa is cancelled, subject to the policy rules.
Because insurance products can change, check the current policy wording at the time of purchase rather than relying only on a previous year's package description.
What Does the MOHRE Basic Health Insurance Package Cover?
The current MOHRE scheme publishes specific benefits and co-payments.
Inpatient treatment
MOHRE lists a 20% co-payment, with the insured person's contribution capped at:
- AED 500 per visit
- AED 1,000 per year for the relevant inpatient contribution
Costs above the applicable limit are covered according to the package rules.
Outpatient treatment
MOHRE lists a 25% co-payment, with a maximum of AED 100 per visit.
The scheme states that a co-payment is not required for a follow-up visit for the same condition within seven days.
Medicines
MOHRE lists a 30% medication co-payment, with the published annual cap applying under the package rules.
Chronic and pre-existing conditions
MOHRE states that pre-existing chronic diseases are covered without a waiting period under the basic package.
This can be important for workers who already have diabetes, hypertension, or another chronic condition before the policy starts.
Always check how a specific treatment, medicine, test, or specialist referral is handled by the policy.
A Major Family Warning: The Federal Basic Package Does Not Cover Everything
Cheap insurance is not automatically the right insurance for a family.
MOHRE's current FAQ for the Basic Health Insurance Scheme states that the package does not cover:
- pregnancy
- childbirth
- dental care
That matters if you are sponsoring a spouse, planning a pregnancy, or expecting dental treatment.
A family may legally satisfy a residence-related insurance requirement with an eligible policy but still discover that important healthcare needs are outside the benefit schedule.
Before buying, read the benefits rather than comparing only the premium.
Can Family Members Use the Federal Basic Health Insurance Package?
MOHRE states that dependents of the employee can benefit from the same benefits and prices in accordance with the policy terms.
This is useful for families in the five federal-scheme emirates, but it should not be interpreted as meaning that every dependent is automatically enrolled when the employer buys the worker's policy.
You should check each family member individually.
Ask:
- Is my spouse actually enrolled?
- Are my children listed?
- Is the plan accepted for their residence process?
- Who must purchase the dependent cover?
- When does the policy become active?
- What medical network applies?
- Are maternity, dental, optical, or chronic-care benefits included?
For family residence issuance under ICP, the official residence service pages list valid health insurance among the required documents for relevant categories.
Official source: ICP Issuing Residency Permit
What About Domestic Workers?
Domestic workers are specifically included in the UAE's mandatory insurance expansion.
MOHRE says the federal scheme covers domestic workers in the five emirates added from 1 January 2025, and the domestic worker's employer is responsible for the insurance obligation when the residence permit is issued or renewed.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi already had mandatory systems.
If you sponsor a maid, nanny, driver, cook, gardener, or another domestic worker, do not assume your own employee policy covers that person.
The worker needs the insurance required for their own sponsorship and residence category.
For the wider sponsorship process, see our UAE domestic worker visa guide for sponsoring from Pakistan and India.
What About Golden Visa and Other Self-Sponsored Residents?
Long-term or self-sponsored residence changes who controls the visa, but it does not mean health insurance can be ignored.
The exact requirement depends on the emirate, residence category, and whether the person is also employed.
For example, the Department of Health Abu Dhabi has published separate health insurance guidance for Golden Visa applicants in Abu Dhabi. Employees may remain covered through their employer, while other Golden Visa applicants may need to arrange insurance appropriate to their status.
If you are considering long-term residence, our UAE Golden Visa eligibility guide for Pakistani and Indian professionals explains the professional eligibility route. You can also compare long-term categories in our UAE Blue Visa vs Golden Visa guide.
Do not buy a basic worker policy simply because you hold a long-term residence visa. Confirm the policy accepted for your specific residence and employment arrangement.
Health Insurance and the UAE Residence Permit
Health insurance is not only about paying hospital bills.
It can also be part of residence issuance and renewal.
MOHRE's federal scheme makes insurance a prerequisite for issuing or renewing residence permits for covered workers in the five newly included emirates.
ICP also lists valid health insurance in the required documents for relevant residence permit categories.
That means a missing, expired, or incorrectly linked policy can delay a residence process.
Insurance is not the same as the medical fitness test
These are separate requirements.
A residence applicant may need:
- medical fitness testing, where applicable
- valid health insurance
- Emirates ID process
- residence permit application
- employment or sponsorship documents
Passing the medical fitness test does not mean you already have medical insurance.
Likewise, buying insurance does not replace the medical fitness examination required for applicable residence applicants.
Documents and Details to Prepare
The exact documents depend on the insurer, emirate, residence category, age, and whether the application is new or a renewal.
Step-by-Step: Health Insurance for a New UAE Worker
Step 1: Identify the emirate of employment and residence
Do not buy a policy before confirming which system applies.
Ask whether the work and residence file is under:
- Dubai
- Abu Dhabi
- ICP in one of the other five emirates
Step 2: Ask the employer what policy they provide
Request:
- insurer name
- policy name
- start date
- network
- member number
- digital card instructions
- co-payment information
If your residence is being issued or renewed under the federal scheme, ask whether the employer is using the MOHRE basic package or another approved insurance product.
Step 3: Check whether the policy is active
An insurance application is not the same as active coverage.
Before relying on the policy for treatment or residence processing, confirm activation with the insurer or official channel.
Step 4: Check your hospital and clinic network
A policy can be valid but still inconvenient.
Check whether it includes:
- a clinic near your home
- a hospital near your workplace
- your preferred pharmacy
- specialist care you may need
- emergency coverage
- telemedicine
A low premium has little value if the network does not suit your actual needs.
Step 5: Understand the co-payments
Ask what you pay for:
- GP visits
- specialist visits
- laboratory tests
- scans
- hospital admission
- medicines
- physiotherapy
- maternity
- dental
- optical treatment
Never assume "insured" means "free treatment".
Step 6: Save your policy proof
Keep:
- policy certificate
- member ID
- insurer app login
- customer service number
- benefit schedule
- exclusions
- network list
You may need these when renewing residence, changing employers, or disputing a rejected claim.
Step-by-Step: Health Insurance for a Spouse or Child
Step 1: Ask whether your employer already covers family
Check your employment contract and HR benefits.
Do not buy duplicate insurance if an active dependent policy already exists.
Step 2: Confirm who sponsors the family member
The sponsorship relationship matters.
If your spouse or child is under your residence sponsorship, you may be responsible for arranging coverage where the employer does not provide it.
Step 3: Check the emirate-specific rule
For Dubai, follow DHA requirements.
For Abu Dhabi, follow DoH requirements.
For ICP residence in the other emirates, check the current ICP document list and the insurance product accepted for that residence category.
Step 4: Compare benefits, not only price
For children, check:
- paediatric network
- emergency care
- vaccinations where relevant
- outpatient limits
- prescription cover
For a spouse, check:
- chronic conditions
- specialist access
- maternity, if relevant
- diagnostic tests
- hospital network
Step 5: Buy or activate the policy before the residence step that requires it
Do not leave insurance until the last day of the residence application.
If the policy takes time to activate or link to the system, your application could be delayed.
Step 6: Verify that the dependent appears correctly
Check:
- full name
- passport number
- date of birth
- Emirates ID number where available
- policy start date
- sponsor details
A data mismatch can create problems even when the premium has been paid.
What to Check Before Choosing a UAE Health Insurance Plan
The cheapest policy is not always the cheapest healthcare experience.
Use this checklist before paying.
Employer Insurance vs Family Insurance: Who Is Responsible?
This is the simplest safe summary.
| Situation | General responsibility |
|---|---|
| Employee working for a Dubai employer | Employer provides employee health insurance |
| Dubai spouse or child under employee's sponsorship and not covered by employer | Sponsor arranges dependent insurance |
| Abu Dhabi employee and specified family members | DoH mandatory insurance rules apply to employer and sponsor responsibilities |
| Private-sector worker in Sharjah, Ajman, UAQ, RAK, or Fujairah | Employer must arrange required worker insurance under the federal scheme |
| Domestic worker | Employer or sponsor must arrange required cover under the applicable emirate or federal system |
| Family dependent under ICP residence | Valid health insurance is listed as a residence requirement in relevant categories |
| Self-sponsored or long-term resident | Check emirate and residence-category requirements directly |
Employment contracts can provide benefits above the legal minimum.
If your company promises family insurance in the employment offer, keep that document and check whether the final policy matches the promised benefit.
What If You Change Jobs?
Do not assume your old health insurance continues indefinitely after your employment ends.
When changing employers:
- check the old policy end date
- ask when the new employer's policy becomes active
- check whether your family insurance was linked to the old employer
- avoid an unnecessary coverage gap
- separately confirm your residence and work permit status
A family plan arranged privately by you may continue according to its own policy terms, while employer group insurance may end according to the employer's policy and your employment status.
Confirm the date in writing.
What If Your Residence Visa Is Cancelled?
Insurance and residence cancellation are related but not identical.
A policy may have cancellation or refund rules that depend on the insurance product.
For the MOHRE Basic Health Insurance package, the Ministry states that the second-year premium can be refundable if the residence visa is cancelled, subject to the scheme terms.
Do not assume every insurer or Dubai and Abu Dhabi policy follows the same refund rule.
Ask the insurer for:
- cancellation date
- last day of medical coverage
- refund eligibility
- documents needed for refund
- effect on dependents
Never cancel a family policy before checking what happens to the dependents' residence and healthcare coverage.
Fees and Timeline
There is no single health insurance price for every UAE resident.
| Item | Current direction |
|---|---|
| MOHRE Basic Health Insurance package in the five federal-scheme emirates | AED 320 per year under the current official package |
| Dubai employee policy | Depends on the employer plan and DHA-compliant product |
| Dubai dependent policy | Varies by insurer, age, benefits, network, and medical profile |
| Abu Dhabi policy | Depends on the applicable DoH policy category and insurer |
| Family cover | Varies significantly with age, maternity, network, chronic conditions, and benefits |
| Policy activation | Depends on insurer, documents, payment, and system linkage |
| Residence issuance or renewal | Insurance must be valid at the stage required by the responsible immigration system |
Fees change often. Confirm the exact amount in the official portal before payment.
Do not use the AED 320 federal basic package price as an estimate for Dubai or Abu Dhabi family insurance.
Common Mistakes That Cause Insurance or Residence Problems
What If Your Insurance Is Active but a Hospital Says You Are Not Covered?
Do not immediately buy another policy.
First check:
- Is the hospital inside your insurer's network?
- Is the treatment covered by your benefit schedule?
- Does the treatment require pre-authorisation?
- Is your Emirates ID correctly linked?
- Is the policy active on the date of treatment?
- Is there a co-payment or deductible?
- Is the service excluded from your plan?
Call the insurer using the number on your policy or app.
If the problem is a regulatory or insurance complaint rather than a simple network issue, use the relevant official complaint channel for the emirate and insurer.
Official Sources Checked
The following official UAE sources were checked for this guide:
- MOHRE: The Basic Health Insurance Scheme
- MOHRE: Launch of the UAE-wide worker health insurance package
- UAE Government: Getting a health insurance
- Dubai Health Authority: Health Insurance in Dubai
- Dubai Health Authority: Mandatory health insurance FAQs
- Department of Health Abu Dhabi: Health Insurance Legislation
- Department of Health Abu Dhabi: 2025 pregnancy and childbirth insurance circular
- ICP: Issuing Residency Permit
- ICP: Renewal of Residency Permits
Last official-source check: 15 September 2026.
Insurance products, provider networks, premiums, co-payments, and residence requirements can change. Confirm your own case through MOHRE, DHA, Department of Health Abu Dhabi, ICP, your employer, or an approved insurer before payment or residence submission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mandatory worker health insurance now applies across all seven emirates. Dubai and Abu Dhabi have their own established mandatory systems, while the federal Basic Health Insurance Scheme extended mandatory coverage to private-sector workers and domestic workers in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah from 1 January 2025.
For covered private-sector workers, the employer is responsible for arranging the required employee health insurance under the applicable emirate or federal system. The exact rules depend on whether your employment and residence are regulated through Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or the federal scheme.
Not necessarily. Dubai guidance requires employees to be insured by their employer, while the sponsor must arrange health insurance for resident dependents if the employer does not cover them. Check your employment contract because some employers voluntarily provide family cover.
Abu Dhabi health insurance legislation makes insurance compulsory for non-UAE national residents and their families. The rules place enrollment responsibilities on employers and sponsors, including coverage of an employee's wife and three children under 18 in the specified framework. Premium responsibility can depend on the current policy and DoH rules.
MOHRE currently lists its Basic Health Insurance package at AED 320 per year. That figure applies to the specific federal basic package and should not be treated as the price of every policy or every family member's insurance. Confirm the current amount before payment.
MOHRE states that employee dependents can access the same benefits and pricing according to the policy terms. They are not automatically insured simply because the employee has a policy, so confirm enrollment for each dependent and whether the policy satisfies the residence requirement.
MOHRE's current Basic Health Insurance Scheme FAQ states that pregnancy and childbirth are not covered by that basic package. Families planning maternity care should compare policies that specifically provide suitable maternity benefits.
MOHRE states that pre-existing chronic diseases are covered without a waiting period under its current Basic Health Insurance package. Treatment remains subject to the policy's benefits, network, co-payments, and other terms.
Health insurance is linked to residence issuance and renewal in applicable categories. MOHRE makes insurance a prerequisite for covered workers under the federal scheme, and ICP lists valid health insurance among the required documents for relevant residence categories. Dubai and Abu Dhabi also apply their own mandatory insurance rules.
No. Medical fitness testing is a residence screening requirement for applicable applicants. Health insurance is a financial healthcare coverage requirement. A person may need both during the residence process.
Employer group insurance may end according to the policy and your employment status. Ask the old employer for the coverage end date and the new employer for the new policy start date. Also check any family members who were insured under the old employer's group plan.
Check the emirate and residence requirement, approved insurer, hospital and clinic network, co-payments, medication benefits, chronic condition cover, maternity if relevant, dental and optical benefits, exclusions, activation date, cancellation terms, and whether every family member is correctly enrolled.
Bottom Line
Health insurance is no longer something UAE workers in only Dubai or Abu Dhabi need to think about.
Mandatory worker coverage now extends across the UAE, but the responsibility and policy rules still depend on the emirate and sponsorship arrangement.
For Dubai, the employer provides employee cover and the sponsor must arrange insurance for resident dependents who are not covered by an employer.
For Abu Dhabi, the Department of Health has its own mandatory system covering non-UAE national residents and their families under detailed employer and sponsor rules.
For Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah, MOHRE's federal scheme has required health insurance for covered private-sector employees and domestic workers from 1 January 2025 when issuing or renewing residence permits.
Before buying anything, confirm three points:
Who is the sponsor? Which emirate controls the residence? What benefits does the policy actually include?
That final question matters just as much as the premium. A policy can satisfy a basic requirement and still exclude healthcare your family expects, especially maternity or dental treatment under the federal basic package.
Use the official government portals, check the policy wording, and confirm every family member's coverage before you submit a residence application or need medical treatment.