Salama Islamic Insurance vs Thiqa
UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026
Salama Islamic Insurance
private5,657 providers
2 plans
Est. 1979
DHA, DOH, MOHAP regulated
Thiqa
premium7,999 providers
1 plan
Est. 2005
DOH regulated
Salama Islamic Insurance has 2 plans from AED 2,500 a year and 5,657 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.
Salama Islamic Insurance vs Thiqa — At a Glance
| Attribute | Salama Islamic Insurance | Thiqa |
|---|---|---|
| Type | private | premium |
| Founded | 1979 | 2005 |
| Headquarters | Dubai | Abu Dhabi |
| Regulators | DHA, DOH, MOHAP | DOH |
| Number of Plans | 2 | 1 |
| Premium Range | AED 2,500 – 13,000 | AED 0 – 0 |
| Total Network Size | 5,657 | 7,999 |
| Cities Covered | 8 | 8 |
| Dental | Yes | Yes |
| Optical | Yes | Yes |
| Maternity | Yes | Yes |
| Mental Health | Yes | Yes |
| International | No | Yes |
| Co-pay Range | 20% | 0% |
| Claims Phone | 800-72526 | 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 | Salama Islamic Insurance | vs | Thiqa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | 3,036 | vs | 3,083 |
| Abu Dhabi | 1,189 | vs | 2,440 |
| Sharjah | 878 | vs | 913 |
| Al Ain | 224 | vs | 798 |
| Ajman | 135 | vs | 315 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 106 | vs | 234 |
| Fujairah | 65 | vs | 170 |
| Umm Al Quwain | 24 | vs | 46 |
Provider counts from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory. Green highlights the city leader.
Salama Islamic Insurance Plans
Salama Islamic Insurance
Salama Basic Takaful Health
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
5,657 providers
View details →Salama Islamic Insurance
Salama Enhanced Takaful Health
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
5,657 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 Salama Islamic Insurance 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.
Salama Islamic Insurance vs Thiqa — FAQ
Which is better, Salama Islamic Insurance or Thiqa?
It depends on your needs. Salama Islamic Insurance has 5,657 providers across 8 cities and offers 2 plans starting from AED 2,500/yr. Thiqa has 7,999 providers across 8 cities with 1 plans from AED 0/yr. Choose Salama Islamic Insurance if you need more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options. Choose Thiqa if you prioritise a larger provider network.
Is Salama Islamic Insurance cheaper than Thiqa?
No, Thiqa's entry-level plan starts from AED 0/yr, while Salama Islamic Insurance's cheapest plan begins at AED 2,500/yr. Pricing varies significantly by age, nationality, and plan tier, so obtain personalised quotes from both insurers.
Which has a bigger network in Dubai, Salama Islamic Insurance or Thiqa?
Thiqa has a larger Dubai network with 3,083 providers, compared to Salama Islamic Insurance's 3,036 providers. Network sizes are based on the UAE Open Healthcare Directory data.
Does Salama Islamic Insurance or Thiqa cover dental?
Both insurers offer dental coverage on their enhanced and premium plans. Salama Islamic Insurance's dental sub-limit goes up to AED 4,000/yr, while Thiqa offers up to AED 0/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.
Can I switch from Salama Islamic 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 Salama Islamic 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 Salama Islamic Insurance and Thiqa have dedicated claims and onboarding teams to facilitate the transition.
How do I compare Salama Islamic Insurance and Thiqa plans?
Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare Salama Islamic Insurance and Thiqa side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — Salama Islamic Insurance starts from AED 2,500/yr, Thiqa from AED 0/yr, (2) Network size — 5,657 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.
Related Comparisons
Disclaimer: Plan details, premiums, and network sizes are indicative, based on publicly available UAE insurance market data. Obtain personalised quotes from Salama Islamic Insurance and Thiqa or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.