Opening a medical clinic in the UAE involves multiple regulatory approvals. Here is the complete 2025 guide to UAE clinic setup.
UAE Healthcare Regulatory Framework
Healthcare in UAE is regulated at emirate level: Dubai: DHA (Dubai Health Authority). Abu Dhabi: DOH (Department of Health Abu Dhabi). Sharjah: SHCC (Sharjah Healthcare City Free Zone) or emirate health department. Other Northern Emirates: emirate-specific health authorities. Note: clinics within specific free zones (DHCC in Dubai, SEHA in Abu Dhabi) may have additional free zone authority requirements. Federal oversight: MOH (Ministry of Health) oversees healthcare at federal level (but most operational regulation is emirate-level).
Dubai Clinic Setup with DHA
Step 1: Company formation. Medical clinics in Dubai must be majority-owned by a licensed healthcare professional (doctor) OR by a UAE-approved healthcare group. 100% foreign ownership: healthcare is on the “negative list” in Dubai — there are ownership restrictions. A UAE national or DHA-licensed professional must typically hold a stake OR the clinic must be in DHCC (Dubai Healthcare City free zone) where different rules apply. Step 2: DHA initial approval. Apply for a healthcare facility licence from DHA (online via DHA portal). Provide: company formation documents, proposed clinic address, scope of services (General Practice, Specialist clinic, Dental clinic, Physiotherapy, etc.), and proposed medical staff credentials. Step 3: premises inspection. DHA inspects the clinic premises for compliance with DHA Facility Standards (room dimensions, equipment, infection control). Step 4: professional licences. Each doctor/nurse/therapist in the clinic must hold a valid DHA professional licence. Step 5: DHA licence issuance. Annual renewal + DHA audit. Cost for UAE clinic setup (basic): AED 30,000-80,000 in DHA fees. Plus: clinic fitout (AED 200,000-500,000 depending on size), medical equipment, and working capital.