Dubai National Insurance vs Thiqa
UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026
Dubai National Insurance
private1,687 providers
2 plans
Est. 1991
DHA regulated
Thiqa
premium7,999 providers
1 plan
Est. 2005
DOH regulated
Dubai National Insurance has 2 plans from AED 2,200 a year and 1,687 in-network providers in 8 cities. Thiqa has 1 plan and 7,999 in-network providers in 8 cities. Both insurers have the most providers in Dubai. Network counts are providers in the UAE Open Healthcare Directory that list each insurer; premiums are indicative.
Dubai National Insurance vs Thiqa — At a Glance
| Attribute | Dubai National Insurance | Thiqa |
|---|---|---|
| Type | private | premium |
| Founded | 1991 | 2005 |
| Headquarters | Dubai | Abu Dhabi |
| Regulators | DHA | DOH |
| Number of Plans | 2 | 1 |
| Premium Range | AED 2,200 – 10,000 | AED 0 – 0 |
| Total Network Size | 1,687 | 7,999 |
| Cities Covered | 8 | 8 |
| Dental | Yes | Yes |
| Optical | No | Yes |
| Maternity | Yes | Yes |
| Mental Health | Yes | Yes |
| International | No | Yes |
| Co-pay Range | 20% | 0% |
| Claims Phone | 04-262-4000 | 800-42626 |
Coverage columns reflect whether at least one plan from the insurer includes that benefit. Premiums are indicative annual ranges.
Network Comparison by City
| City | Dubai National Insurance | vs | Thiqa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | 909 | vs | 3,083 |
| Abu Dhabi | 370 | vs | 2,440 |
| Sharjah | 240 | vs | 913 |
| Al Ain | 18 | vs | 798 |
| Ajman | 80 | vs | 315 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 37 | vs | 234 |
| Fujairah | 24 | vs | 170 |
| Umm Al Quwain | 9 | vs | 46 |
Provider counts from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory. Green highlights the city leader.
Dubai National Insurance Plans
Dubai National Insurance
DNIR Basic Health
Employers in Dubai who need the mandatory cover for staff
AED 2,200 – 4,000/yr
Annual limit: AED 150,000 · shared room · 20% co-pay
1,687 providers
View details →Dubai National Insurance
DNIR Enhanced Health
Corporate employees in Dubai
AED 5,000 – 10,000/yr
Annual limit: AED 500,000 · semi-private room · 20% co-pay
1,687 providers
View details →Thiqa Plans
Thiqa
Thiqa
UAE nationals and their dependants in Abu Dhabi
Government-funded
Annual limit: Unlimited · private room · 0% co-pay
7,999 providers
View details →Verdict
Choose Dubai National Insurance if you need more plan tiers to choose from. Choose Thiqa if you prioritise a larger provider network. 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 Thiqa — FAQ
Which is better, Dubai National Insurance or Thiqa?
It depends on your needs. Dubai National Insurance has 1,687 providers across 8 cities and offers 2 plans starting from AED 2,200/yr. Thiqa has 7,999 providers across 8 cities with 1 plans from AED 0/yr. Choose Dubai National Insurance if you need more plan tiers to choose from. Choose Thiqa if you prioritise a larger provider network.
Is Dubai National Insurance cheaper than Thiqa?
No, Thiqa's entry-level plan starts from AED 0/yr, while Dubai National Insurance's cheapest plan begins at AED 2,200/yr. Pricing varies significantly by age, nationality, and plan tier, so obtain personalised quotes from both insurers.
Which has a bigger network in Dubai, Dubai National Insurance or Thiqa?
Thiqa has a larger Dubai network with 3,083 providers, compared to Dubai National Insurance's 909 providers. Network sizes are based on the UAE Open Healthcare Directory data.
Does Dubai National Insurance or Thiqa 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 Thiqa offers up to AED 0/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.
Can I switch from Dubai National Insurance to Thiqa?
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 Thiqa (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 Thiqa have dedicated claims and onboarding teams to facilitate the transition.
How do I compare Dubai National Insurance and Thiqa plans?
Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare Dubai National Insurance and Thiqa side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — Dubai National Insurance starts from AED 2,200/yr, Thiqa from AED 0/yr, (2) Network size — 1,687 vs 7,999 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.
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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 Thiqa or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.