How the UAE Public Healthcare System Is Structured
The UAE does not operate one single public-health registration card that works identically in all seven emirates. The federal Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) is the federal health authority, while emirates such as Abu Dhabi and Dubai have their own healthcare regulators and systems. Emirates Health Services (EHS) operates the federal public-health service network covered by its mandate.
An EHS Health Card is therefore best understood as an EHS service for accessing healthcare at EHS facilities. It should not be described as a universal healthcare card for every government hospital in Abu Dhabi, Dubai or the rest of the UAE.
EHS Health Card Fees & Validity
| Applicant category | Base fee | Validity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAE citizen | AED 20 | Current service category | Plus smart-application or other applicable service charges |
| GCC citizen — resident | AED 20 | 1 year | Current EHS service category |
| GCC visitor | AED 50 | 3 months | Current EHS service category |
| Expatriate — resident | AED 100 | 1 year | Current EHS service category |
| Expatriate — visitor | AED 100 | 3 months | Current EHS service category |
| People of determination | AED 50 | Category-specific | Additional approval requirements may apply |
EHS also lists a AED 15 smart-application fee, bank service charges and additional charges where a typing-centre channel is used. Check the live EHS service before paying because fees and service conditions can be amended.
How to Apply for an EHS Health Card
- Open the current EHS Health Card service through the official EHS digital service channel.
- Use a valid Emirates ID for the express process when the EHS system can locate the applicant profile.
- Where supporting documents are required, provide the documents requested by EHS for the relevant applicant category or transaction type.
- Pay the applicable service fee, plus any stated smart-channel, bank or typing-centre charges.
- For transactions requiring review or medical-committee approval, wait for the EHS decision message before using the service.
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What an EHS Health Card Does — and Does Not — Mean
What it does mean
The EHS service states that the Health Card entitles the holder to receive health and treatment services at EHS health facilities, subject to the applicable service rules, eligibility and fees.
What it does not mean
It does not mean that every UAE public hospital is part of the same EHS system, that all treatment is free, or that the card replaces a required private or government-backed health insurance policy.
UAE Healthcare Framework by Area
| Area | Main authority / structure | Practical focus |
|---|---|---|
| Federal / EHS network | Emirates Health Services (EHS) | Runs federal public healthcare facilities and the EHS Health Card service in the emirates covered by its network. |
| Abu Dhabi | Department of Health – Abu Dhabi | Regulates the emirate healthcare sector. Abu Dhabi also operates a mandatory insurance framework and the government-funded Thiqa programme for eligible nationals. |
| Dubai | Dubai Health Authority / Dubai health system | Operates a distinct healthcare and insurance framework, including Enaya and Saada programmes and mandatory health-insurance requirements. |
| Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah | Federal and local healthcare structures | Healthcare access is not established by treating the EHS Health Card as a nationwide insurance substitute. Current federal health-insurance rules and local health-facility arrangements should be checked separately. |
Abu Dhabi: Thiqa and Health Insurance
The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) is the regulator of the emirate's healthcare sector. Abu Dhabi has a mandatory health-insurance framework for covered non-UAE-citizen residents and their families, while Thiqa is the government-funded programme for eligible UAE nationals and similar eligible categories.
Thiqa is not an EHS Health Card and its eligibility, benefits, network and programme conditions should be verified against current Abu Dhabi rules.
Abu Dhabi Department of HealthDubai: Enaya, Saada and Insurance
Dubai operates its own healthcare and health-insurance framework. Enaya is the Dubai Government Employees and Citizens Healthcare Benefits Scheme, while Saada is a Dubai Government programme for eligible Dubai citizens who are not covered by other government health programmes.
These programmes are insurance or benefit schemes and should not be described as equivalent to an EHS Health Card.
Dubai Health AuthorityHealth Insurance Is Separate From a Health Card
The federal health-insurance framework was expanded from 1 January 2025 to cover private-sector employees and domestic workers across the UAE, with health insurance required as a condition connected to issuance or renewal of the relevant residence permits. The rules are different from the EHS Health Card service.
Emergency Medical Treatment in the UAE
UAE Government guidance states that hospitals can handle medical emergencies and can provide initial treatment before transferring a patient when a better-equipped facility is required.
The same official guidance states that emergency treatment to stabilise the case is free, while other treatment may need to be paid for by cash, card or insurance. This emergency rule is not a blanket statement that all non-emergency public healthcare is free.
What Documents or Identification May Be Needed?
The exact document set depends on the EHS applicant category and transaction type. EHS states that applicants can use a valid Emirates ID for the express process where the applicant profile is found. Other transactions can require supporting documents and review by the relevant health-registration officer or medical committee.
- Valid Emirates ID where applicable.
- Passport and residence documents where required for the applicant category.
- Supporting medical or eligibility documents for transactions that require special approval.
- Additional documents or charges may apply through typing centres.
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Commercial content is independent of government healthcare authorities and does not imply government endorsement.
Official sources were checked for August 2026. Fees, eligibility, networks, insurance benefits and service procedures can change; users should confirm the live government service before applying or making a payment.