UAE health insurance rules by emirate: who must insure whom (2026)
Health insurance is mandatory across the UAE, but the rules differ by emirate. Here's who is responsible for employees, dependants and domestic workers in each one, with links to the official sources.
By Shamna Ponnath Valappil, Senior Insurance Officer · Updated 26 September 2026Health insurance is mandatory for residents in every emirate. In Dubai, employers insure employees and sponsors insure dependants. In Abu Dhabi, employers and sponsors cover employees and their families (one spouse and three children under 18). Since 1 January 2025, employers in Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain must buy health insurance for private-sector employees and domestic workers before a residency permit is issued or renewed. The basic scheme costs AED 320 a year.
At a glance
| Emirate | Employees | Dependants | Domestic workers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | Employer must insure | Sponsor must insure | Sponsor/employer must insure |
| Abu Dhabi | Employer/sponsor must insure | Included for 1 spouse and 3 children under 18 | Employer must insure |
| Sharjah, Ajman, RAK, Fujairah, UAQ | Employer must insure (from 1 Jan 2025) | Can be added on the same benefits | Employer must insure (from 1 Jan 2025) |
Dubai
Under the Dubai Health Authority framework, employers must provide health insurance for their employees, and sponsors must insure the dependants they sponsor, such as a spouse, children or parents. Cover must be at least the minimum required by the emirate, and it is checked when visas are issued and renewed.
Abu Dhabi
In Abu Dhabi, employers and sponsors are responsible for health insurance for their employees and their families: one spouse and three children under 18. Plans are regulated by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi.
Sharjah and the Northern Emirates: the basic scheme
From 1 January 2025, employers in Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain must buy health insurance for private-sector employees and domestic workers as a condition of issuing or renewing their residency permits. Existing employees move onto cover when their permits come up for renewal. Key features of the basic package, as published by the UAE government:
- Premium of AED 320 a year, paid by the employer, with a two-year policy validity.
- For people aged 1 to 64, and family members can be covered on the same benefits.
- No waiting period for chronic illnesses.
- Inpatient co-payment of 20%, capped at AED 500 per visit and AED 1,000 a year. Outpatient co-payment of 25%.
The basic scheme is a minimum. Many employers choose an enhanced plan with a wider network, lower co-pay or added benefits, especially for skilled or senior staff.
Compliance follows the visa, not the office
An employee's cover must meet the rules of the emirate that issued their visa. A Sharjah-based company with some Dubai-visa employees needs Dubai-compliant cover for those employees. This is the most common compliance mistake I see.
Going beyond the minimum
- Check the network includes hospitals near where people actually live and work.
- Compare co-pay, annual limit, maternity and chronic-condition terms, not just the premium.
- For employers, use staff categories to balance cost and benefits. See group medical insurance.
- For families, see individual and family health insurance.
Rules and amounts can change. This guide reflects the official UAE sources listed below as checked on the review date. Confirm the current position before relying on it, or ask me.
Frequently asked questions
Is health insurance mandatory in Sharjah?
Yes. From 1 January 2025, employers in Sharjah must buy health insurance for private-sector employees and domestic workers before their residency permits are issued or renewed. The basic scheme costs AED 320 a year.
Who pays for dependants' health insurance in Dubai?
The sponsor. In Dubai, employers must insure employees, and the visa sponsor is responsible for insuring the dependants they sponsor. Some employers choose to include dependants as a benefit.
Does the AED 320 basic plan cover family members?
Family members can be covered on the same benefits as the insured employee under the basic scheme. Whether the employer or the employee pays for them depends on the employment terms.
What happens if an employee isn't insured?
In the Northern Emirates, health insurance is a prerequisite for issuing or renewing private-sector residency permits, so uninsured employees hold up visa processing. In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, cover is also checked at visa stages and penalties can apply.
10+ years in insurance, six internationally and four in the UAE market. Shamna compares personal and business cover across insurers for clients in all seven Emirates. More about Shamna
Last reviewed: 26 September 2026. General information only, not advice; policy terms decide cover.
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Shamna Ponnath Valappil is a Senior Insurance Officer with Gargash Insurance Services LLC, a UAE insurance broker regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE. Insurance arranged through this site is placed by Gargash Insurance Services LLC. Quotes are subject to underwriting by the relevant insurer(s); final terms, premiums and cover are confirmed when a policy is issued.