GIG Gulf vs Watania (ADNTC)
UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026
GIG Gulf
private782 providers
3 plans
Est. 1962
DHA, DOH, MOHAP regulated
Watania (ADNTC)
private4,785 providers
2 plans
Est. 2011
DOH, MOHAP regulated
GIG Gulf has 3 plans from AED 2,800 a year and 782 in-network providers in 8 cities. Watania (ADNTC) has 2 plans from AED 2,200 a year and 4,785 in-network providers in 8 cities. GIG Gulf has the most providers in Dubai while Watania (ADNTC) has the most in Abu Dhabi. Network counts are providers in the UAE Open Healthcare Directory that list each insurer; premiums are indicative.
GIG Gulf vs Watania (ADNTC) — At a Glance
| Attribute | GIG Gulf | Watania (ADNTC) |
|---|---|---|
| Type | private | private |
| Founded | 1962 | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Kuwait / Dubai | Abu Dhabi |
| Regulators | DHA, DOH, MOHAP | DOH, MOHAP |
| Number of Plans | 3 | 2 |
| Premium Range | AED 2,800 – 28,000 | AED 2,200 – 10,000 |
| Total Network Size | 782 | 4,785 |
| Cities Covered | 8 | 8 |
| Dental | Yes | Yes |
| Optical | Yes | Yes |
| Maternity | Yes | Yes |
| Mental Health | Yes | Yes |
| International | Yes | No |
| Co-pay Range | 0% – 20% | 20% |
| Phone (from the insurer's website) | 800 292 | +971 800 928 2642 |
Coverage columns reflect whether at least one plan from the insurer includes that benefit. Premiums are indicative annual ranges.
Network Comparison by City
| City | GIG Gulf | vs | Watania (ADNTC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | 426 | vs | 1,652 |
| Abu Dhabi | 178 | vs | 1,715 |
| Sharjah | 96 | vs | 628 |
| Al Ain | 31 | vs | 466 |
| Ajman | 28 | vs | 156 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 13 | vs | 87 |
| Fujairah | 8 | vs | 63 |
| Umm Al Quwain | 2 | vs | 18 |
Provider counts from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory. Green highlights the city leader.
GIG Gulf Plans
GIG Gulf
GIG Gulf Essential
SMEs and individuals meeting mandatory requirements across UAE
AED 2,800 – 4,800/yr
Annual limit: AED 250,000 · shared room · 20% co-pay
782 providers
View details →GIG Gulf
GIG Gulf Corporate Plus
Corporate employees and families across UAE
AED 5,500 – 12,000/yr
Annual limit: AED 500,000 · semi-private room · 20% co-pay
782 providers
View details →GIG Gulf
GIG Gulf Executive
Senior management and executives
AED 15,000 – 28,000/yr
Annual limit: AED 1.5M · private room · 0% co-pay
782 providers
View details →Watania (ADNTC) Plans
Watania (ADNTC)
Watania Basic Takaful
Employers in Abu Dhabi and Northern Emirates seeking Takaful coverage
AED 2,200 – 4,000/yr
Annual limit: AED 200,000 · shared room · 20% co-pay
4,785 providers
View details →Watania (ADNTC)
Watania Enhanced Takaful
Corporate employees and families in Abu Dhabi
AED 5,000 – 10,000/yr
Annual limit: AED 500,000 · semi-private room · 20% co-pay
4,785 providers
View details →Verdict
Choose GIG Gulf if you need more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options. Choose Watania (ADNTC) if you prioritise a larger provider network, lower entry-level premiums. 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 Watania (ADNTC) — FAQ
Which is better, GIG Gulf or Watania (ADNTC)?
It depends on your needs. GIG Gulf has 782 providers across 8 cities and offers 3 plans starting from AED 2,800/yr. Watania (ADNTC) has 4,785 providers across 8 cities with 2 plans from AED 2,200/yr. Choose GIG Gulf if you need more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options. Choose Watania (ADNTC) if you prioritise a larger provider network, lower entry-level premiums.
Is GIG Gulf cheaper than Watania (ADNTC)?
No, Watania (ADNTC)'s entry-level plan starts from AED 2,200/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 Watania (ADNTC)?
Watania (ADNTC) has a larger Dubai network with 1,652 providers, compared to GIG Gulf's 426 providers. Network sizes are based on the UAE Open Healthcare Directory data.
Does GIG Gulf or Watania (ADNTC) 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 Watania (ADNTC) offers up to AED 3,000/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.
Can I switch from GIG Gulf to Watania (ADNTC)?
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 Watania (ADNTC) (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 Watania (ADNTC) have dedicated claims and onboarding teams to facilitate the transition.
How do I compare GIG Gulf and Watania (ADNTC) plans?
Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare GIG Gulf and Watania (ADNTC) side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — GIG Gulf starts from AED 2,800/yr, Watania (ADNTC) from AED 2,200/yr, (2) Network size — 782 vs 4,785 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 GIG Gulf and Watania (ADNTC) or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.