Health insurance in the UAE is a requirement for a residence visa. Without a policy you cannot get an Emirates ID, and without that you cannot open a bank account or rent a home. This article covers actual insurance prices in 2026, what a basic policy covers and how an extended one differs, how pharmacies work and what to look for when choosing.
The article is based on the experience of Russian-speaking UAE residents in the first half of 2026. More on visa routes in the UAE residence guide 2026, and on the first steps after the move in Moving to the UAE 2026.
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Learn about our supportIs insurance mandatory: part of the visa process
In the UAE, health insurance is mandatory for residents; the specific policy requirements are set by the emirates' regulators (the DHA in Dubai, the DoH in Abu Dhabi). Insurance is arranged as part of the visa process: in Dubai, under Law No. 11 of 2013 on health insurance, the employer and the sponsor must present a policy when a residence permit is issued and renewed (Articles 10 and 11).
For employees, the employer arranges and pays for the insurance: in Dubai, the law expressly prohibits passing its cost on to the employee (Article 10 of Law No. 11/2013); in other emirates, check the details with the local regulator. For company owners and freelancers through a free zone, in residents' experience, basic insurance is included in the visa package. For family members (dependants), the visa sponsor arranges and pays for the insurance (in Dubai, Article 11 of the same law).
For tourists, insurance is not formally mandatory, but without it any doctor's visit will cost AED 200–500 for a consultation, and that is without tests or treatment.
Basic vs extended: the difference in price and coverage
The basic insurance provided by a free zone or employer covers the minimum. In residents' experience, the "basic minimum" is insurance with which you can formally see a doctor, but the real options are limited.
"Whoever arranges the health insurance (you or the company; if the company, it will most likely be the basic minimum that won't even cover a blood test)."
— Dubai resident, February 2026
Insurance costs (according to Russian-speaking expat chats, January–July 2026):
The price difference between men's and women's policies is because women's plans usually include extended gynaecological coverage.
Per month, extended insurance is AED 600–1,000 per person. For a family, costs rise to AED 2,000–3,500 a month.
What insurance covers and what it does not
Even with insurance, the copay is 20–50% of the cost of the service. This means that for a specialist visit costing AED 300, you pay AED 60–150 out of pocket. The copay depends on the terms of the specific policy.
Usually covered (extended):
- GP and specialist consultations
- Lab tests (a complete blood count is included in all policies)
- Hospitalisation and emergency care
- Prescription medicines (partially)
Usually not covered or covered partially:
- Dentistry: either not included or with a strict limit
- Pregnancy care and childbirth: require a separate extension or a special policy
- Chronic conditions: may be excluded in the first year
- Cosmetic procedures
Dentistry and childbirth are the most common "surprises". Pregnancy care and childbirth in the UAE cost thousands of dirhams, and basic insurance usually does not cover them. If you are planning a pregnancy, check for maternity cover before buying a policy.
A consultation without insurance: how much
A doctor's visit without insurance costs AED 200–500 for the appointment alone. Tests, procedures and prescription medicines are extra. With a serious problem, one visit can cost several thousand dirhams.
Healthcare in the UAE is genuinely expensive, as both the figures and residents' experience confirm. Without a policy, do not count on affordable treatment.
Real experience: how insurance works in practice
Even with a good policy, the system does not run as smoothly as you would like. The main problem is approval of procedures by the insurer. The clinic may ask you to wait for the insurer's approval, and this can drag on.
"I can tell you about healthcare. I've always said it's hell here and don't get treated here if you can avoid it. I'm on sick leave with symptoms from a cough to diarrhoea (I have neither of these). In short, nobody knows what's wrong with me, so I just go from doctor to doctor, bringing the clinic money from the insurer."
— Sharjah resident, March 2026
Practical tip: if the clinic tells you to "wait for the insurer's approval", do not wait passively. Call the insurance company yourself and insist they speed it up. In residents' experience, without a call you can sit there for an hour and a half; after a call the issue gets resolved.
Family insurance: a budget for two and with children
Family insurance is one of the largest regular expenses. According to the chats, a family of 2–3 spends AED 2,000–3,500 a month on health insurance, or AED 24,000–42,000 a year.
When arranging a family policy, note:
- Children's policies are usually cheaper than adults', but dentistry for children may be excluded
- If one parent is the visa sponsor, insurance for the dependants is arranged through them
- Family plans from one provider are usually cheaper than separate policies for each person
Dentistry: a separate expense
In the UAE, dentistry is either not included in a basic policy or covered with serious restrictions (a limit of AED 1,000–3,000 a year). If you need serious treatment, budget for it separately.
There are budget options too. Some clinics offer prices well below the market: braces from AED 300, adjustments from AED 150. Look in Karama, Deira and International City, where competition is higher and prices lower.
Pharmacies and medicines: what to know
The main pharmacy chains are Aster and Life Pharmacy. A typical medicine costs AED 42–50.
Key points:
- Most medicines are sold under international non-proprietary names (INN). If you know the active ingredient, you will find an equivalent
- A number of medicines are on the controlled list: in residents' experience, to bring them into the UAE you need a permit from the Ministry of Health (MOHAP) in advance. This applies, in particular, to some psychotropic medicines
- Prescription medicines are not sold without a prescription from a local doctor
- If you take something regularly, bring a supply from home and at the same time find a local doctor who will write you a prescription
Common questions in the chats: "What is Tamiflu called in the UAE?", "Can I buy thyroxine at a pharmacy?", "Which pharmacies stock Canephron?". The answer is the same: search by the international name of the active ingredient. Pharmacists at large pharmacies will help find an equivalent.
Government hospitals: an alternative to private clinics
Private clinics in the UAE are expensive, but there are also government hospitals with more affordable prices. Residents mention Rashid Hospital and Iranian Hospital as options with discounts, including for patients without insurance.
Government hospitals accept insurance, but the queue may be longer. Quality depends on the specific facility; in the large hospitals of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the equipment is comparable to private clinics.
How to choose a policy: what to look at
You can compare offers from different insurers on comparison sites such as policybazaar.ae, which in residents' experience is one of the most used services for comparing health insurance in the UAE.
Checklist for choosing a policy:
- Copay: the lower the percentage, the more the insurer covers. Range: 0% (premium policies) to 50% (basic)
- Clinic network: make sure the clinics and hospitals nearest to you are in the provider's network
- Coverage limit: the annual maximum the insurer will pay. Basic policies: AED 150,000–250,000; extended: from AED 500,000
- Dentistry: included or not, and the limit
- Maternity: if you are planning, it must be stated explicitly; usually with a waiting period of 6–12 months
- Chronic conditions: the waiting period and coverage of pre-existing conditions
- Outpatient vs inpatient: basic policies sometimes cover only inpatient care
If your employer provides basic insurance, you can buy an upgrade at your own expense. This is usually cheaper than buying a full policy separately.
Need help moving to the UAE?
Health insurance is just one of dozens of tasks when getting residence. An error in visa documents, the wrong free zone or a missed deadline all cost time and money. Parallax supports the residence process end to end, including choosing the best visa route and coordinating all documents. The company's specialists work on the ground in the UAE, with payment in stages.
If you would like to discuss your situation, fill in a short questionnaire on the UAE residence page and a specialist will get in touch within a working day.
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Learn about our supportFrequently asked questions
Yes, insurance is mandatory for residents; the policy requirements are set by the emirates' regulators (DHA, DoH). In Dubai, under Law No. 11/2013, a policy is presented when a residence permit is issued and renewed. For employees, the employer arranges and pays for the insurance; for family members, the sponsor; for business owners through a free zone, basic insurance, in residents' experience, is included in the package.
Extended insurance for a man aged 30–40 costs AED 7,000–9,000 a year, for a woman AED 9,000–12,500 a year. For a family of 2–3, AED 24,000–42,000 a year. Basic insurance from a free zone is included in the visa but covers the minimum.
Basic policies usually do not cover dentistry. Extended ones do, with a limit of AED 1,000–3,000 a year. For serious treatment, budget separately. In Karama and Deira you can find clinics with below-market prices.
Yes, most medicines are sold under international names. Aster and Life are the main chains. A typical medicine costs AED 42–50. A number of medicines (psychotropics and others) are controlled; in residents' experience, you need a MOHAP permit in advance to bring them in.
Call the insurance company directly and insist they speed it up. Without a call you can sit there for an hour and a half or more. After a firm request, the issue is usually resolved.