Health Insurance for Domestic Workers in UAE — Employer Requirements

Legal Requirements for Domestic Worker Insurance

In the UAE, employers (sponsors) of domestic workers are legally obligated to provide health insurance coverage. This requirement applies to all domestic workers including housemaids, nannies, private drivers, cooks, and gardeners. The mandate is enforced in Dubai by the UAE healthcare regulator and in Abu Dhabi by the UAE healthcare regulator. Failure to provide coverage can result in visa rejection, fines, and labour complaints.

The requirement became more strictly enforced following the UAE Domestic Workers Law (Federal Law No. 10 of 2017), which established a comprehensive framework of rights for domestic workers including the right to healthcare. Insurance is now a prerequisite for issuing and renewing domestic worker visas in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Minimum Coverage Requirements

The minimum coverage for domestic workers mirrors the basic requirements for all visa holders. In Dubai, the plan must be Dubai mandatory health insurance plan (EBP) compliant, covering inpatient hospitalisation, outpatient consultations, emergency care, prescribed medications, and basic diagnostics. In Abu Dhabi, the plan must meet the UAE healthcare regulator minimum standards as administered through Daman.

Key coverage elements of compliant plans include:

• Inpatient hospitalisation including surgery and ICU
• Outpatient doctor consultations and follow-up visits
• Emergency treatment at any facility
• Prescribed medications from network pharmacies
• Basic laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging
• Maternity coverage (subject to 12-month waiting period)

Cheapest Compliant Plans

The most affordable plans for domestic workers in Dubai start from approximately AED 750-1,200 per year. In Abu Dhabi, Daman offers specific domestic worker plans starting from approximately AED 600 per year. These plans meet minimum regulatory requirements but have limited networks and higher co-payments compared to enhanced plans.

Employers can purchase these plans online through insurer websites or through licensed brokers. Common providers offering domestic worker plans include Daman, Orient Insurance, Oman Insurance, and Dubai Insurance Company. Comparison portals can help identify the cheapest option with an adequate network in your area.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Employers who fail to insure their domestic workers face several consequences:

• Visa rejection: Immigration authorities will not issue or renew a domestic worker's visa without proof of valid health insurance.
• Fines: the UAE healthcare regulator and the UAE healthcare regulator can impose monetary penalties on employers found in violation. Fine amounts are reviewed periodically and can increase for repeat offenders.
• Labour complaints: Domestic workers can file complaints with MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation) if their employer fails to provide legally required benefits, including health insurance.
• Personal liability: Without insurance, the employer is personally liable for all medical costs incurred by the domestic worker. A single hospital admission can cost AED 10,000-50,000 or more.

Practical Tips for Employers

• Purchase insurance before applying for or renewing the domestic worker's visa — it is a prerequisite.
• Give your domestic worker a copy of their insurance card and explain how to use it at hospitals and clinics.
• Register the domestic worker with a nearby primary care clinic for routine health check-ups.
• Set a calendar reminder for policy renewal to avoid any coverage gap.
• Consider upgrading to an enhanced plan if your domestic worker has ongoing medical needs — the marginal cost is often modest.