Healthcare Costs Guide for Expats in UAE

Health insurance is mandatory for all UAE residents as of January 2025 — your employer must provide it. Verify your plan tier (basic, enhanced, or premium) and understand your co-pay structure.

Most employer-provided basic plans cover GP visits, specialist consultations, diagnostics, and emergency care. Co-pays are typically 10-20% for outpatient visits.

Enhanced and premium plans often include dental, maternity, optical, and mental health benefits — check your policy document for sub-limits on each.

In-network providers cost less than out-of-network. Always check if a hospital or clinic is in your insurance network before booking to avoid surprise bills.

Pre-authorisation is required for MRI, CT scans, surgeries, and inpatient admissions on most plans. Your doctor's office usually handles this — confirm before your appointment.

Dental coverage varies widely. Basic plans exclude dental entirely; enhanced plans may cover AED 3,000-5,000 per year; premium plans may cover AED 7,000-10,000.

Maternity benefit is available on most plans but typically has a 10-12 month waiting period from policy start. Plan ahead if you are expecting.

Government hospitals (SEHA in Abu Dhabi, DHA in Dubai) often have shorter specialist wait times and lower co-pays than private hospitals for insured patients.