Health Insurance in UAE: Plans, Coverage and Companies

Health insurance helps individuals and families manage eligible medical expenses through an insurance policy. Depending on the plan, coverage may include doctor consultations, hospital treatment, diagnostic tests, prescription medicines and emergency care.

Health insurance requirements and available plans can differ across the UAE. Your coverage may also depend on your emirate, employment arrangement, age, medical requirements and the insurer's policy conditions.

Whether you are an employee, self-employed professional, expatriate or family sponsor, understanding the available coverage can help you evaluate policies more effectively.

Regulatory information last reviewed: 11 November 2026. Always confirm current requirements with the relevant authority.

Examples of Health Insurance Providers in the UAE

• Daman (The National Insurance Company PJSC) : A UAE health insurance provider offering medical coverage solutions for different customer categories.
• Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company (ADNIC) : An established UAE insurer offering insurance products, including medical insurance.
• Sukoon Insurance : Provides insurance solutions, including health insurance for eligible individual and corporate customers.
• Orient Insurance: A UAE insurance company offering medical and other general insurance products.
• GIG Gulf : An insurance provider offering health insurance solutions in the UAE market.
• Dubai Insurance: A UAE insurer offering medical insurance products, including basic health insurance options.

If you are comparing health insurance providers, read our Daman vs GIG Gulf health insurance comparison to understand the differences between their coverage options, benefits and plan features.

Examples of Takaful insurance providers listed by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) include SALAMA Health Insurance , Sukoon Takaful, Takaful Emarat, Abu Dhabi National Takaful, Orient Takaful, Dubai Islamic Insurance & Reinsurance Company (AMAN), Methaq Takaful Insurance, Watania Takaful General and Watania Takaful Family. These are examples, not a recommendation or confirmation that every provider offers every type of health insurance plan. Check the CBUAE register for the latest licensing status and contact each insurer to confirm its available products.

Regulatory note: The CBUAE announced the suspension of YAS Takaful PJSC's licence on 24 February 2026. It is therefore not included here as a currently available licensed provider. The CBUAE's Takaful directory may still display its name, so refer to the separate suspension notice when checking its status. Read the CBUAE announcement .

Official source: CBUAE: Takaful Insurance Companies .

Check the Hospital and Clinic Network

Two policies from the same insurer may provide access to different hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies. Some insurers also work with third-party administrators (TPAs) to manage provider networks and claims administration.

The insurer provides the insurance cover, while a TPA may handle operational services such as claims processing and access to healthcare networks. Check which organisation administers your specific policy.

Before buying a policy, ask for the exact provider network name and its current hospital, clinic, pharmacy and specialist directory. Confirm directly that your preferred healthcare facility accepts your specific plan, including any restrictions on branches or services.

Also check whether treatment is available through direct billing or reimbursement and whether specialist consultations, diagnostic tests and planned hospital admissions require prior approval.

Are Takaful Health Insurance Plans Available?

Yes. Several UAE insurers offer Takaful insurance. Takaful is an Islamic insurance arrangement based on principles of mutual assistance and risk sharing. It operates under applicable Central Bank regulations and Sharia governance requirements.

If you prefer a Takaful policy, compare its coverage, exclusions, co-payments, provider network and claims conditions in the same way you would assess a conventional health insurance plan. Takaful status alone does not mean that a policy offers broader benefits or lower premiums.

How to Verify a Health Insurance Company in the UAE

Before paying a premium, check that the insurer is registered or licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE). You should also verify any additional health insurance permissions required in your emirate.

1. Check the CBUAE register: Search the Central Bank's insurance entities register to confirm the insurer's regulatory status in the UAE.
2. Check Dubai-specific insurer approvals: Before purchasing a policy for Dubai, confirm that the insurer holds the required DHA Health Insurance Permit. Check the insurer's current approval status directly with the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), as older online directories may contain outdated information.
3. Understand participating insurer status: If you need the Essential Benefits Plan (EBP), check the current DHA participating-insurer list. This is a specific category and is not the same as the general list of permitted health insurance companies.
4. Read the policy documents: Review the policy schedule, benefits table, exclusions, waiting periods, annual limits and renewal conditions.
5. Confirm the hospital network: Ask the insurer or TPA whether your preferred hospitals, clinics and pharmacies are included in the exact plan being offered.
6. Check the claims conditions: Understand direct billing, reimbursement procedures, pre-authorisation requirements and applicable co-payments.

Use these official resources to verify regulatory information and Dubai-specific permissions:

• Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) – Insurance Entities Register – Check the insurer's UAE regulatory registration.
• Dubai Health Authority – Participating Insurers for the Essential Benefits Plan – Check which insurers are approved to provide the Essential Benefits Plan (EBP).

Regulatory registration or a health insurance permit does not guarantee that every policy is suitable for every resident or accepted by every healthcare facility. Always verify the specific product, provider network, benefits and applicable regulatory requirements before purchasing.

Yes. Health insurance is mandatory under applicable UAE federal and emirate-level regulations. Employers must arrange the required medical insurance coverage for eligible employees, and health insurance is linked to residency permit issuance or renewal under the applicable rules.

Since 1 January 2025, mandatory health insurance requirements have extended to private-sector employees and domestic workers across all seven emirates. However, the applicable insurance scheme and coverage requirements differ by emirate.

Employees with valid work permits issued before 1 January 2024 that remain valid are covered by a transitional arrangement. For these employees, the health insurance requirement becomes applicable when their residence permits are due for renewal, subject to the applicable scheme rules.