Health insurance is mandatory for every resident in Dubai, whether you work for a company, run your own business, or sponsor your family. When I first arrived, I didn’t understand networks, direct billing, exclusions… and I quickly realised that choosing the right insurance is essential to avoid unpleasant surprises.
This 2025 guide explains clearly:
- types of plans (Basic / Standard / Premium)
- real prices
- hospital networks (very important!)
- direct billing vs reimbursement
- maternity, dental, optical
- common exclusions
- Is Health Insurance Mandatory in Dubai?
Yes, absolutely.
Obligations:
- Employer: must insure every employee
- Resident sponsor: must insure their family
- Free zones: obligations vary depending on contract
Without insurance, no visa can be issued.
- Types of Health Insurance Plans in Dubai (2025)
Basic Plan (EHB — Essential Benefits Plan)
- price: 800–1,500 AED per year
- limited network
- suitable for tight budgets
- ideal for low-income workers
Standard Plan (Mid-range)
- price: 2,000–4,500 AED per year
- good network
- maternity sometimes included
- perfect for most expatriates
Premium Plan
- price: 6,000–20,000+ AED per year
- premium hospitals like American Hospital, King’s, Mediclinic
- very wide network
- ideal for families seeking high-end coverage
- Prices of Health Insurance in Dubai (2025)
Adult (solo):
- Basic: 900–1,500 AED
- Standard: 2,000–4,500 AED
- Premium: 6,000–12,000 AED
Children:
- 1,000–3,000 AED
Family of 4:
- 7,000–18,000 AED
Pregnancy coverage:
- 7,000–25,000 AED extra, depending on plan
- What Is a Network? (Very Important!)
Every insurance plan has a network of hospitals and clinics.
Network Types:
- CN: premium network
- GN: standard network
- RN: restricted network
The network determines:
- where you can receive treatment
- whether you pay 0 AED or 20%
- whether the hospital accepts direct billing
- Direct Billing vs Reimbursement
Direct Billing (preferred)
The hospital bills the insurance company directly.
You pay only the co-pay (0–20%).
Reimbursement
You pay everything upfront, and the insurance reimburses you later.
This process can be slow and sometimes complicated.
- Maternity Coverage (Important for Families)
Not included in basic plans.
Included in:
- mid-range plans (partially)
- premium plans (fully)
Prices:
- 7,000–25,000 AED depending on hospital and plan
Covers:
- prenatal checkups
- scans
- delivery (normal or C-section)
- Dental and Optical Coverage
Dental:
Rarely included.
Add-on available: 600–1,500 AED per year.
Optical:
Often excluded.
Add-on available: 300–800 AED per year.
- Exclusions You Must Check
- pre-existing conditions
- chronic diseases (depending on plan)
- cancers (depending on coverage)
- dental / optical
- premium hospitalisation
- maternity
- Best Insurance Companies in Dubai (2025)
Premium:
- Cigna
- Aetna
- Allianz
- Bupa
Standard:
- Oman Insurance (Daman)
- AXA
- MetLife
Budget:
- Orient
- Takaful Emarat
- How to Choose the Right Plan
- check your hospital network
- verify direct billing
- compare two to three brokers
- choose maternity coverage if needed
- avoid plans that are too basic
Conclusion
Health insurance in Dubai is modern and efficient — but choosing the right plan requires careful attention to networks, exclusions, and costs. With the right information, you can receive care in the best hospitals without stress.
Find insurance brokers, medical specialists, hospitals, and clinics on The Expat Services Directory your trusted partner for healthcare in Dubai.
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