Thiqa vs Union Insurance
UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026
Thiqa
premium7,999 providers
1 plan
Est. 2005
DOH regulated
Union Insurance
private1,691 providers
2 plans
Est. 1998
DOH, DHA regulated
Thiqa has 1 plan and 7,999 in-network providers in 8 cities. Union Insurance has 2 plans from AED 2,300 a year and 1,691 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.
Thiqa vs Union Insurance — At a Glance
| Attribute | Thiqa | Union Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Type | premium | private |
| Founded | 2005 | 1998 |
| Headquarters | Abu Dhabi | Dubai |
| Regulators | DOH | DOH, DHA |
| Number of Plans | 1 | 2 |
| Premium Range | AED 0 – 0 | AED 2,300 – 10,500 |
| Total Network Size | 7,999 | 1,691 |
| 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% |
| Phone (from the insurer's website) | 800 4 80000 | +971 4 3787 777 |
Coverage columns reflect whether at least one plan from the insurer includes that benefit. Premiums are indicative annual ranges.
Network Comparison by City
| City | Thiqa | vs | Union Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | 3,083 | vs | 902 |
| Abu Dhabi | 2,440 | vs | 388 |
| Sharjah | 913 | vs | 231 |
| Al Ain | 798 | vs | 36 |
| Ajman | 315 | vs | 72 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 234 | vs | 32 |
| Fujairah | 170 | vs | 25 |
| Umm Al Quwain | 46 | vs | 5 |
Provider counts from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory. Green highlights the city leader.
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 →Union Insurance Plans
Union Insurance
Union Basic Health
SMEs in Abu Dhabi and Dubai meeting mandatory requirements
AED 2,300 – 4,200/yr
Annual limit: AED 200,000 · shared room · 20% co-pay
1,691 providers
View details →Union Insurance
Union Enhanced Health
Corporate employees and families in Abu Dhabi and Dubai
AED 5,000 – 10,500/yr
Annual limit: AED 500,000 · semi-private room · 20% co-pay
1,691 providers
View details →Verdict
Choose Thiqa if you need a larger provider network. Choose Union Insurance if you prioritise more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options. 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.
Thiqa vs Union Insurance — FAQ
Which is better, Thiqa or Union Insurance?
It depends on your needs. Thiqa has 7,999 providers across 8 cities and offers 1 plans starting from AED 0/yr. Union Insurance has 1,691 providers across 8 cities with 2 plans from AED 2,300/yr. Choose Thiqa if you need a larger provider network. Choose Union Insurance if you prioritise more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options.
Is Thiqa cheaper than Union Insurance?
Yes, Thiqa's entry-level plan starts from AED 0/yr, compared to Union Insurance's cheapest plan at AED 2,300/yr. However, plan pricing varies by age, nationality, visa type, and employer. Enhanced and premium tiers may differ. Always obtain a personalised quote from each insurer.
Which has a bigger network in Dubai, Thiqa or Union Insurance?
Thiqa has a larger Dubai network with 3,083 providers, compared to Union Insurance's 902 providers. This includes hospitals, clinics, dental practices, and specialist centres listed in the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.
Does Thiqa or Union Insurance cover dental?
Both insurers offer dental coverage on their enhanced and premium plans. Thiqa's dental sub-limit goes up to AED 0/yr, while Union Insurance offers up to AED 3,000/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.
Can I switch from Thiqa to Union Insurance?
Yes, you can switch insurers during your policy renewal period. In the UAE, health insurance is typically renewed annually. When switching from Thiqa to Union Insurance (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 Thiqa and Union Insurance have dedicated claims and onboarding teams to facilitate the transition.
How do I compare Thiqa and Union Insurance plans?
Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare Thiqa and Union Insurance side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — Thiqa starts from AED 0/yr, Union Insurance from AED 2,300/yr, (2) Network size — 7,999 vs 1,691 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 Thiqa and Union Insurance or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.