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Dubai National Insurance vs Salama Islamic Insurance

UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026

Dubai National Insurance

private

6,086 providers

2 plans

Est. 1991

DHA regulated

Salama Islamic Insurance

private

5,768 providers

2 plans

Est. 1979

DHA, HAAD, MOHAP regulated

Dubai National Insurance has 2 plans starting from AED 2,200/yr with 6,086 providers across 8 cities. Salama Islamic Insurance has 2 plans starting from AED 2,500/yr with 5,768 providers across 8 cities. Both insurers have their strongest presence in Dubai.

Dubai National Insurance vs Salama Islamic Insurance — At a Glance

AttributeDubai National InsuranceSalama Islamic Insurance
Typeprivateprivate
Founded19911979
HeadquartersDubaiDubai
RegulatorsDHADHA, HAAD, MOHAP
Number of Plans22
Premium RangeAED 2,200 – 10,000AED 2,500 – 13,000
Total Network Size6,0865,768
Cities Covered88
DentalYesYes
OpticalNoYes
MaternityYesYes
Mental HealthYesYes
InternationalNoNo
Co-pay Range20%20%
Claims Phone04-262-4000800-72526

Coverage columns reflect whether at least one plan from the insurer includes that benefit. Premiums are indicative annual ranges.

Network Comparison by City

CityDubai National InsurancevsSalama Islamic Insurance
Dubai
4,214
vs
3,113
Abu Dhabi
709
vs
1,211
Sharjah
633
vs
885
Al Ain
188
vs
227
Ajman
155
vs
137
Ras Al Khaimah
106
vs
106
Fujairah
69
vs
65
Umm Al Quwain
12
vs
24

Provider counts from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory. Green highlights the city leader.

Dubai National Insurance Plans

Dubai National Insurance

DNIR Basic Health

Basic

Employers in Dubai meeting DHA mandatory requirements

AED 2,200 – 4,000/yr

Annual limit: AED 150,000 · shared room · 20% co-pay

Dental
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
DHA compliantAffordable for construction and retail sectorsDubai hospital network

6,086 providers

View details →

Dubai National Insurance

DNIR Enhanced Health

Enhanced

Corporate employees in Dubai

AED 5,000 – 10,000/yr

Annual limit: AED 500,000 · semi-private room · 20% co-pay

Dental (AED 2,500)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Dental coverage includedMental health supportDubai private hospital access

6,086 providers

View details →

Salama Islamic Insurance Plans

Salama Islamic Insurance

Salama Basic Takaful Health

Basic

Employers seeking Sharia-compliant mandatory health coverage across UAE

AED 2,500 – 5,000/yr

Annual limit: AED 250,000 · shared room · 20% co-pay

Dental
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Largest Takaful insurer in UAEAll-emirate compliantOver 40 years of Takaful expertise

5,768 providers

View details →

Salama Islamic Insurance

Salama Enhanced Takaful Health

Enhanced

Corporate employees and families across UAE wanting enhanced Takaful

AED 6,000 – 13,000/yr

Annual limit: AED 750,000 · semi-private room · 20% co-pay

Dental (AED 4,000)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Takaful-compliantDental and optical includedAlternative medicine covered

5,768 providers

View details →

Verdict

Choose Dubai National Insurance if you need a larger provider network, lower entry-level premiums. Choose Salama Islamic Insurance if you prioritise more comprehensive coverage options. Both are established insurers in the UAE market. The best choice depends on your employer's plan options, budget, required coverage, and preferred hospital network in your city.

Dubai National Insurance vs Salama Islamic Insurance — FAQ

Which is better, Dubai National Insurance or Salama Islamic Insurance?

It depends on your needs. Dubai National Insurance has 6,086 providers across 8 cities and offers 2 plans starting from AED 2,200/yr. Salama Islamic Insurance has 5,768 providers across 8 cities with 2 plans from AED 2,500/yr. Choose Dubai National Insurance if you need a larger provider network, lower entry-level premiums. Choose Salama Islamic Insurance if you prioritise more comprehensive coverage options.

Is Dubai National Insurance cheaper than Salama Islamic Insurance?

Yes, Dubai National Insurance's entry-level plan starts from AED 2,200/yr, compared to Salama Islamic Insurance's cheapest plan at AED 2,500/yr. However, plan pricing varies by age, nationality, visa type, and employer. Enhanced and premium tiers may differ. Always obtain a personalised quote from each insurer.

Which has a bigger network in Dubai, Dubai National Insurance or Salama Islamic Insurance?

Dubai National Insurance has a larger Dubai network with 4,214 providers, compared to Salama Islamic Insurance's 3,113 providers. This includes hospitals, clinics, dental practices, and specialist centres listed in the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.

Does Dubai National Insurance or Salama Islamic Insurance cover dental?

Both insurers offer dental coverage on their enhanced and premium plans. Dubai National Insurance's dental sub-limit goes up to AED 2,500/yr, while Salama Islamic Insurance offers up to AED 4,000/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.

Can I switch from Dubai National Insurance to Salama Islamic Insurance?

Yes, you can switch insurers during your policy renewal period. In the UAE, health insurance is typically renewed annually. When switching from Dubai National Insurance to Salama Islamic Insurance (or vice versa), be aware of: (1) Pre-existing condition waiting periods may restart — check the new insurer's policy, (2) Maternity waiting periods usually reset, (3) Any ongoing treatment authorisations need to be re-submitted. Coordinate with your employer's HR department if on a group plan. Both Dubai National Insurance and Salama Islamic Insurance have dedicated claims and onboarding teams to facilitate the transition.

How do I compare Dubai National Insurance and Salama Islamic Insurance plans?

Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare Dubai National Insurance and Salama Islamic Insurance side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — Dubai National Insurance starts from AED 2,200/yr, Salama Islamic Insurance from AED 2,500/yr, (2) Network size — 6,086 vs 5,768 providers, (3) Coverage — dental, optical, maternity, and mental health inclusion, (4) Co-pay percentages, and (5) Provider availability in your city. Scroll down for the full comparison table.

Disclaimer: Plan details, premiums, and network sizes are indicative, based on publicly available UAE insurance market data. Obtain personalised quotes from Dubai National Insurance and Salama Islamic Insurance or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory, last verified March 2026.