Healthcare in Dubai: The Basics
Dubai has excellent healthcare - modern facilities, highly qualified doctors, and short waiting times. But it comes at a cost, which is why health insurance is mandatory for all residents.
Coming from the UK's NHS, the private healthcare system took some adjustment. But once you understand how it works, it's actually very straightforward.
Is Health Insurance Mandatory?
Yes. All Dubai residents (and their dependents) must have health insurance. This is a visa requirement - you can't get or renew your visa without it.
Most employers provide health insurance as part of your package. If you're self-employed or your employer doesn't provide it, you'll need to arrange your own.
Understanding Your Insurance
What's Typically Covered
- GP and specialist consultations
- Hospital stays and surgeries
- Emergency treatment
- Diagnostic tests and imaging
- Maternity (often with waiting period)
- Prescriptions
What's Often NOT Covered (or Limited)
- Dental (usually separate policy needed)
- Vision/optical
- Pre-existing conditions (may have waiting periods)
- Cosmetic procedures
- Alternative therapies
Sara's tip: Read your policy carefully. Understand your network (which hospitals/clinics you can use), your co-pay amounts, and annual limits before you need to use it.
Insurance Tiers
| Tier | Annual Premium (approx) | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Basic (Essential Benefits Plan) | AED 500-700 | Minimum legal requirement, limited network |
| Standard | AED 3,000-6,000 | Wider network, better coverage |
| Enhanced | AED 8,000-15,000 | Major hospitals, low/no co-pay |
| Premium | AED 20,000+ | International coverage, premium facilities |
Most employer plans fall in the Standard to Enhanced range. Premium plans are typically for senior executives or self-purchased.
How to Use Your Insurance
- Check your network – Use your insurance app or website to find in-network providers
- Book appointment – Call the clinic directly or use their app
- Bring your insurance card – Physical card or digital version
- Pay your co-pay – Usually 0-20% of the consultation fee
- Prescriptions – Take to an in-network pharmacy
Most things are handled at the point of service - you rarely need to claim back afterwards if you stay in-network.
Finding Good Doctors
How to Find Doctors
- Ask colleagues/friends – Word of mouth is king in Dubai
- Expat Facebook groups – Search for recommendations
- Insurance app – Filter by specialty and location
- Hospital websites – Browse doctor profiles
Popular Hospital Groups
| Hospital Group | Notes |
|---|---|
| Mediclinic | Multiple locations, good all-rounder, popular with families |
| Aster | Wide network, competitive pricing |
| King's College Hospital | Premium, UK-trained doctors |
| American Hospital | Premium, excellent reputation |
| NMC | Large network, various price points |
| Saudi German Hospital | Good emergency department |
GP vs Specialist
Unlike the UK, you can often go directly to a specialist in Dubai - no GP referral needed. This is great for known issues but can lead to over-treatment.
My approach: Find a good GP you trust for general issues and advice on whether you need a specialist. It saves time and money.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies are everywhere in Dubai and open long hours. Chains include:
- Aster Pharmacy
- Life Pharmacy
- Boots
- BinSina
Many medications that require prescription in UK/US are available over-the-counter in UAE. However, some medications that are common elsewhere are controlled here - check before traveling with medications.
Emergency Care
Emergency number: 998 (or 999 for police)
For emergencies, go to the nearest hospital emergency department. Insurance covers emergency care at any hospital - you don't need to worry about network in genuine emergencies.
For non-emergencies, many hospitals have urgent care or walk-in clinics with shorter waits than A&E.
Children's Healthcare
For families with children:
- Pediatricians – Every major hospital has pediatric departments
- Vaccinations – Required for school enrollment, available at clinics
- School nurses – Most schools have on-site medical staff
- Children's hospitals – Al Jalila Children's Specialty Hospital is excellent
Maternity Care
If you're planning to have a baby in Dubai:
- Check maternity coverage in your policy (often has waiting periods)
- C-section rates are high - discuss preferences with your doctor
- Private rooms are standard
- Costs without insurance can be AED 25,000-50,000+
Dental & Vision
Usually not included in basic health insurance. Options:
- Add-on dental plan – AED 500-2,000/year
- Pay as you go – Dental check-up around AED 200-400
- Get it done on home visits – Many expats time dental work with trips home
Mental Health
Mental health services are available but coverage varies by policy. Many employers now include mental health support. Private therapy typically costs AED 400-800 per session.
Costs Without Insurance
To give you an idea of private healthcare costs:
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| GP consultation | AED 200-400 |
| Specialist consultation | AED 400-800 |
| Blood tests (basic panel) | AED 300-600 |
| X-ray | AED 200-400 |
| MRI scan | AED 1,500-3,000 |
| Emergency room visit | AED 500-1,500+ |
This is why insurance is essential - costs add up quickly.
Quick Tips
- Download your insurance app – Find doctors, check coverage, show digital card
- Save your insurance number – Keep it accessible on your phone
- Ask about costs upfront – Before procedures, confirm what's covered
- Keep receipts – For any out-of-network claims
- Register with a GP – Even if you're healthy, good to have one
Questions about healthcare in Dubai? I'm happy to share our experiences and recommendations.