UAE Mandatory Health Insurance for Employees — Employer Guide 2026
UAE mandates employer-provided health insurance for employees in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Other emirates are moving toward similar requirements. This guide covers UAE mandatory health insurance obligations for employers in 2026.
In this guide:
Dubai Mandatory Health Insurance
- Law: Dubai Health Insurance Law (Law No. 11 of 2013)
- Who is covered: all residents of Dubai (employees, investor visa holders, dependents)
- Employer obligation: employers must provide health insurance for all their Dubai-based employees
- Minimum plan: Essential Benefits Plan (EBP) — minimum coverage for low-income workers (income below AED 4,000/month)
- Regulator: Dubai Health Authority (DHA)
- Penalty for non-compliance: AED 500/month per uninsured employee
Abu Dhabi Mandatory Health Insurance
- Law: Abu Dhabi Health Insurance Law (Law No. 23 of 2005)
- Coverage: mandatory for all Abu Dhabi residents
- Minimum: Thiqa (for UAE nationals) and mandatory insurance plans for expat workers
- Regulator: Department of Health (DoH) Abu Dhabi
UAE Health Insurance Cost Guide 2026
- Essential Benefits Plan (EBP, Dubai): AED 700–1,500/year per employee (basic; emergency and essential care only)
- Standard UAE health plan (comprehensive): AED 2,500–7,000/year per employee (outpatient, inpatient, dental, optical)
- Premium health plan (comprehensive + specialist): AED 8,000–25,000+/year per employee
- Executive health plan (international coverage): AED 15,000–50,000+/year
Key UAE Health Insurance Providers for SMEs
- Daman (National Health Insurance Company): Abu Dhabi government-owned; large network; common for Abu Dhabi-based employees
- AXA Gulf (now ADNIC/AXA partnership): major provider; broad UAE hospital network
- NowHealth International: digital-first; transparent pricing; popular with SMEs and startups
- Cigna UAE: international coverage; good for UAE companies with internationally mobile employees
- RAKInsurance: affordable; good for smaller companies in northern UAE
Health Insurance for Free Zone Company Investor Visas
UAE free zone investor visa holders (company owners holding their own investor visa) are also required to have health insurance in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Most free zone packages include or offer health insurance as an add-on. The investor visa holder must provide proof of health insurance upon visa issuance or renewal. Minimum requirement for investor visa: DHA-approved health insurance plan covering the visa holder while in Dubai.