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Dubai National Insurance vs Thiqa

UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026

Dubai National Insurance

private

6,086 providers

2 plans

Est. 1991

DHA regulated

Thiqa

premium

8,142 providers

1 plan

Est. 2005

HAAD regulated

Dubai National Insurance has 2 plans starting from AED 2,200/yr with 6,086 providers across 8 cities. Thiqa has 1 plan starting from AED 0/yr with 8,142 providers across 8 cities. Both insurers have their strongest presence in Dubai.

Dubai National Insurance vs Thiqa — At a Glance

AttributeDubai National InsuranceThiqa
Typeprivatepremium
Founded19912005
HeadquartersDubaiAbu Dhabi
RegulatorsDHAHAAD
Number of Plans21
Premium RangeAED 2,200 – 10,000AED 0 – 0
Total Network Size6,0868,142
Cities Covered88
DentalYesYes
OpticalNoYes
MaternityYesYes
Mental HealthYesYes
InternationalNoYes
Co-pay Range20%0%
Claims Phone04-262-4000800-42626

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 InsurancevsThiqa
Dubai
4,214
vs
3,164
Abu Dhabi
709
vs
2,481
Sharjah
633
vs
922
Al Ain
188
vs
807
Ajman
155
vs
318
Ras Al Khaimah
106
vs
234
Fujairah
69
vs
170
Umm Al Quwain
12
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

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 →

Thiqa Plans

Thiqa

Thiqa

VIP

UAE nationals and their dependants in Abu Dhabi

Government-funded

Annual limit: Unlimited · private room · 0% co-pay

Dental
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Unlimited annual coverageZero co-pay across all servicesInternational treatment coverage (with approval)

8,142 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 6,086 providers across 8 cities and offers 2 plans starting from AED 2,200/yr. Thiqa has 8,142 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?

Dubai National Insurance has a larger Dubai network with 4,214 providers, compared to Thiqa's 3,164 providers. This includes hospitals, clinics, dental practices, and specialist centres listed in the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.

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 — 6,086 vs 8,142 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 Thiqa or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory, last verified March 2026.