Who Provides Health Insurance in the UAE? Rules for Abu Dhabi, Dubai & Northern Emirates
Dubai: Health insurance is mandatory across the UAE, but who provides coverage depends on the emirate and employment status. In most cases, employers or sponsors are responsible for securing health insurance for their workers, and in many cases, their dependents.
The rules may seem complicated, but hereās a breakdown of how health insurance responsibilities work in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and the northern emirates.
Abu Dhabi: Employers Must Cover Workers and Families
In Abu Dhabi, companies and sponsors are required to provide health insurance for their employees and their families, which includes:
One spouse
Up to three children under 18
The Department of Health ā Abu Dhabi specifies that employees earning under AED 5,000 per month, or AED 4,000 plus housing allowance, are entitled to a basic health insurance product.
Families with more than three children, or those who want enhanced benefits, can purchase top-up or comprehensive private insurance.
Dubai: Mandatory Essential Benefits Plan
In Dubai, the Dubai Health Insurance Law (2014) made health insurance mandatory for all residents. Employers are legally responsible for covering their employees.
The Essential Benefits Plan (EBP) ensures affordable coverage for lower-income workers, with premiums usually between Dh550āDh650.
For dependents:
If an employer only insures the employee, the sponsor must arrange insurance for family members, including spouse, children, or parents.
Dependents must be covered under a valid policy before their residency permits can be issued or renewed.
Northern Emirates: New Mandatory Coverage from 2025
Since January 2025, all private sector employees and domestic workers in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah must also have health insurance.
This follows the rollout of the UAE Health Insurance Scheme, launched in December 2024 by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) with MOHAP, ICP, and approved insurers.
Dependents are eligible under the same policy terms, with pricing similar to the employeeās plan.
Who Must Buy the Insurance?
According to MOHRE, employers and sponsors are responsible for purchasing health insurance. This is a mandatory condition for issuing or renewing residency visas.
Policies can be bought through:
The DubaiCare Network
The Insurance Pool website
Licensed insurance providers
Approved business service centres
The DubaiCare Network offers competitively priced plans, reducing treatment costs for workers and financial pressure for employers.
Key Takeaways for Residents and Businesses
Employers pay for employee insurance across the UAE.
In Abu Dhabi, coverage usually extends to families (one spouse + three children).
In Dubai, employers must insure workers, but sponsors insure dependents if not included in the company plan.
In the Northern Emirates, new rules ensure all private sector workers and domestic staff are covered.
Dependents can be added, but sponsors must arrange this if the employer does not.
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