Skip to main content

We make finding a doctor in the UAE free, transparent, and easy.

GIG Gulf vs Thiqa

UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026

GIG Gulf

private

782 providers

3 plans

Est. 1962

DHA, DOH, MOHAP regulated

Thiqa

premium

7,999 providers

1 plan

Est. 2005

DOH regulated

GIG Gulf has 3 plans from AED 2,800 a year and 782 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.

GIG Gulf vs Thiqa — At a Glance

AttributeGIG GulfThiqa
Typeprivatepremium
Founded19622005
HeadquartersKuwait / DubaiAbu Dhabi
RegulatorsDHA, DOH, MOHAPDOH
Number of Plans31
Premium RangeAED 2,800 – 28,000AED 0 – 0
Total Network Size7827,999
Cities Covered88
DentalYesYes
OpticalYesYes
MaternityYesYes
Mental HealthYesYes
InternationalYesYes
Co-pay Range0% – 20%0%
Claims Phone800-444800-42626

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

Network Comparison by City

CityGIG GulfvsThiqa
Dubai
426
vs
3,083
Abu Dhabi
178
vs
2,440
Sharjah
96
vs
913
Al Ain
31
vs
798
Ajman
28
vs
315
Ras Al Khaimah
13
vs
234
Fujairah
8
vs
170
Umm Al Quwain
2
vs
46

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

GIG Gulf Plans

GIG Gulf

GIG Gulf Essential

Basic

SMEs and individuals meeting mandatory requirements across UAE

AED 2,800 – 4,800/yr

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

Dental
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Competitive group ratesBroad UAE network

782 providers

View details →

GIG Gulf

GIG Gulf Corporate Plus

Enhanced

Corporate employees and families across UAE

AED 5,500 – 12,000/yr

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

Dental (AED 3,500)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
All-emirate coverageDental and optical includedMental health support

782 providers

View details →

GIG Gulf

GIG Gulf Executive

Premium

Senior management and executives

AED 15,000 – 28,000/yr

Annual limit: AED 1.5M · private room · 0% co-pay

Dental (AED 8,000)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Zero co-payPrivate roomInternational coverage

782 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)

7,999 providers

View details →

Verdict

Choose GIG Gulf if you need more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options. 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.

GIG Gulf vs Thiqa — FAQ

Which is better, GIG Gulf or Thiqa?

It depends on your needs. GIG Gulf has 782 providers across 8 cities and offers 3 plans starting from AED 2,800/yr. Thiqa has 7,999 providers across 8 cities with 1 plans from AED 0/yr. Choose GIG Gulf if you need more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options. Choose Thiqa if you prioritise a larger provider network.

Is GIG Gulf cheaper than Thiqa?

No, Thiqa's entry-level plan starts from AED 0/yr, while GIG Gulf's cheapest plan begins at AED 2,800/yr. Pricing varies significantly by age, nationality, and plan tier, so obtain personalised quotes from both insurers.

Which has a bigger network in Dubai, GIG Gulf or Thiqa?

Thiqa has a larger Dubai network with 3,083 providers, compared to GIG Gulf's 426 providers. Network sizes are based on the UAE Open Healthcare Directory data.

Does GIG Gulf or Thiqa cover dental?

Both insurers offer dental coverage on their enhanced and premium plans. GIG Gulf's dental sub-limit goes up to AED 8,000/yr, while Thiqa offers up to AED 0/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.

Can I switch from GIG Gulf to Thiqa?

Yes, you can switch insurers during your policy renewal period. In the UAE, health insurance is typically renewed annually. When switching from GIG Gulf 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 GIG Gulf and Thiqa have dedicated claims and onboarding teams to facilitate the transition.

How do I compare GIG Gulf and Thiqa plans?

Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare GIG Gulf and Thiqa side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — GIG Gulf starts from AED 2,800/yr, Thiqa from AED 0/yr, (2) Network size — 782 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.

Disclaimer: Plan details, premiums, and network sizes are indicative, based on publicly available UAE insurance market data. Obtain personalised quotes from GIG Gulf and Thiqa or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.