Takaful Emarat vs Thiqa
UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026
Takaful Emarat
private7,943 providers
2 plans
Est. 2008
DHA, HAAD, MOHAP regulated
Thiqa
premium8,142 providers
1 plan
Est. 2005
HAAD regulated
Takaful Emarat has 2 plans starting from AED 2,500/yr with 7,943 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.
Takaful Emarat vs Thiqa — At a Glance
| Attribute | Takaful Emarat | Thiqa |
|---|---|---|
| Type | private | premium |
| Founded | 2008 | 2005 |
| Headquarters | Dubai | Abu Dhabi |
| Regulators | DHA, HAAD, MOHAP | HAAD |
| Number of Plans | 2 | 1 |
| Premium Range | AED 2,500 – 12,000 | AED 0 – 0 |
| Total Network Size | 7,943 | 8,142 |
| 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 | 800-825235 | 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 | Takaful Emarat | vs | Thiqa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | 4,104 | vs | 3,164 |
| Abu Dhabi | 1,626 | vs | 2,481 |
| Sharjah | 1,232 | vs | 922 |
| Al Ain | 328 | vs | 807 |
| Ajman | 405 | vs | 318 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 152 | vs | 234 |
| Fujairah | 73 | vs | 170 |
| Umm Al Quwain | 23 | vs | 46 |
Provider counts from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory. Green highlights the city leader.
Takaful Emarat Plans
Takaful Emarat
Takaful Emarat Basic Takaful
Employers seeking Sharia-compliant mandatory health coverage
AED 2,500 – 4,800/yr
Annual limit: AED 250,000 · shared room · 20% co-pay
7,943 providers
View details →Takaful Emarat
Takaful Emarat Enhanced Takaful
Corporate employees and families wanting Sharia-compliant enhanced cover
AED 5,500 – 12,000/yr
Annual limit: AED 500,000 · semi-private room · 20% co-pay
7,943 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
8,142 providers
View details →Verdict
Choose Takaful Emarat 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.
Takaful Emarat vs Thiqa — FAQ
Which is better, Takaful Emarat or Thiqa?
It depends on your needs. Takaful Emarat has 7,943 providers across 8 cities and offers 2 plans starting from AED 2,500/yr. Thiqa has 8,142 providers across 8 cities with 1 plans from AED 0/yr. Choose Takaful Emarat if you need more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options. Choose Thiqa if you prioritise a larger provider network.
Is Takaful Emarat cheaper than Thiqa?
No, Thiqa's entry-level plan starts from AED 0/yr, while Takaful Emarat'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, Takaful Emarat or Thiqa?
Takaful Emarat has a larger Dubai network with 4,104 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 Takaful Emarat or Thiqa cover dental?
Both insurers offer dental coverage on their enhanced and premium plans. Takaful Emarat's dental sub-limit goes up to AED 3,500/yr, while Thiqa offers up to AED 0/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.
Can I switch from Takaful Emarat to Thiqa?
Yes, you can switch insurers during your policy renewal period. In the UAE, health insurance is typically renewed annually. When switching from Takaful Emarat 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 Takaful Emarat and Thiqa have dedicated claims and onboarding teams to facilitate the transition.
How do I compare Takaful Emarat and Thiqa plans?
Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare Takaful Emarat and Thiqa side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — Takaful Emarat starts from AED 2,500/yr, Thiqa from AED 0/yr, (2) Network size — 7,943 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.
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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 Takaful Emarat and Thiqa or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory, last verified March 2026.