Is health insurance mandatory for all residents in the UAE?

Yes. Health insurance is legally mandatory across all 7 emirates in the UAE. Employers are legally obligated to provide health insurance for their employees. In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, sponsors must also ensure all dependents (spouse, children, domestic workers) hold active health insurance policies.

What is the Essential Benefits Plan (EBP) in Dubai?

The Essential Benefits Plan (EBP) is Dubai's government-regulated basic health insurance plan for low-income workers (earning AED 4,000 or below monthly), non-working dependents, and domestic workers. The premium costs around AED 500 to AED 700 per year and provides annual coverage up to AED 150,000.

What is the fine for not having health insurance in Dubai?

Under DHA regulations, a fine of AED 500 per month is levied for every individual who does not hold a valid health insurance policy. The fine is automatically accumulated and collected by ICP/GDRFA during residence visa renewal or cancellation.

Home/Uae/Health Insurance Mandatory Schemes Guide

DHA Law No. 11 of 2013 & Federal Mandates 2026

UAE Mandatory Health Insurance Schemes

Complete handbook on compulsory health coverage across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Northern Emirates — Essential Benefits Plan (EBP), employer legal duties, dependent coverage, and fine enforcement.

Universal Health Insurance Framework

Healthcare insurance in the UAE is governed by emirate-specific health authorities: Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Department of Health Abu Dhabi (DOH), and nationwide Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) regulations.

No residence visa (new issue or annual renewal) can be processed without an active health insurance policy registered on your Emirates ID.

Dubai Health Authority (DHA - ISAAD / EBP)

Insurance Requirement	Statutory Rule / Detail
Legal Mandate Scope	Mandatory for all Dubai resident permit holders since 2017
Employer Legal Obligation	Employers MUST provide insurance for all employees (salary cap for EBP: AED 4,000/mo)
Sponsor / Dependent Rule	Sponsor (employee/individual) is legally responsible for insuring sponsored dependents
Non-Compliance Fines	AED 500 per month fine per uninsured person deducted upon visa renewal

Dubai Essential Benefits Plan (EBP)

Targeted basic health insurance package for low-income workers and non-working dependents:

💵 Annual Premium: AED 500 to AED 700 per person per year
💵 Maximum Annual Limit: AED 150,000 per person for covered healthcare
🏥 Inpatient Co-pay: 20% co-payment per claim (capped at AED 500 per admission)
💊 Outpatient Pharmacy Limit: AED 1,500 annual limit with 30% co-payment
👩‍🍼 Basic Maternity Coverage: AED 7,000 for normal delivery / AED 10,000 for C-section

Employer vs Sponsor Legal Boundaries

✅ Employers MUST pay employee health insurance — salary deductions for insurance are illegal
✅ Abu Dhabi employers must cover spouse & up to 3 children under 18
✅ Dubai sponsors (parents/spouses) must purchase EBP or private insurance for family
✅ Domestic workers (maids/nannies) must be insured by sponsor upon visa issuance

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Health insurance is mandatory across all 7 emirates. Employers must provide insurance for employees. In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, sponsors must insure all dependents.

EBP is Dubai's basic insurance plan for low-income workers (salary $\le$ AED 4,000) and dependents. Costs AED 500-700/yr with AED 150,000 annual cover.

A fine of AED 500 per month is levied for every uninsured individual, collected during visa renewal or cancellation.

🏥 Comprehensive Health Insurance Rules Calculator →🩺 Medical Fitness Test for Residence Visa →

DHA & DOH Verified

• Dubai Health Authority (DHA eClaimLink): dha.gov.ae
• Department of Health Abu Dhabi (DOH Shafafiya): doh.gov.ae