UAE Free Zone Company Health Insurance Requirements Reference 2026
UAE requires employers to provide health insurance to their employees. Here is the complete 2026 reference guide for UAE free zone companies on health insurance requirements.
In this guide:
Dubai Health Insurance Law
- Mandatory: Dubai Law No. 11 of 2013 requires all Dubai employers to provide health insurance to their employees and their dependants
- Sponsor responsibility: UAE visa sponsor (usually the employer for employment visa; the company for investor visa) is responsible for employee health insurance
Abu Dhabi Health Insurance
- HAAD/DOH: Abu Dhabi also mandates employer health insurance via Department of Health
- Coverage: Basic plan (Thiqa/DAMAN basic) for Abu Dhabi residents
Other Emirates
- Sharjah, RAK, Ajman, Fujairah: Federal mandates apply; specific emirate regulations vary; employer must provide health insurance
Minimum Health Insurance Coverage (Dubai)
- Essential Benefits Plan: Basic minimum plan; inpatient and outpatient; specific minimum coverages defined by DHA
- No annual deductible above AED 500: Essential plan must have low deductibles
- Maternity: Basic maternity coverage required in essential plan
Cost of Health Insurance (2026)
- Basic/Essential plan: AED 600-1,500 per employee per year
- Standard plan: AED 2,000-5,000 per employee per year
- Comprehensive plan: AED 6,000-15,000+/year per employee
- Self (investor): Can insure yourself as investor on company’s group health policy; AED 2,000-8,000/year