UAE Free Zone Health Insurance Requirements 2026 — What Employers Must Provide
Health insurance is mandatory for all UAE visa holders. Here is the complete 2026 guide for UAE free zone company owners and employers.
In this guide:
UAE Health Insurance — Who Is Covered by the Mandate
- Dubai: All individuals residing in Dubai with a UAE visa must have valid health insurance; employer must provide for employees
- Abu Dhabi: All Abu Dhabi residents; employer provides for employees and company pays for investor visa holders
- Other emirates: Mandatory but enforcement varies; Sharjah, RAK, Ajman have similar requirements
Investor Visa Holders (Company Owners)
- You are responsible for your own health insurance as the company owner
- Cost: AED 500-2,000/year for basic plans; AED 3,000-10,000+ for comprehensive plans
- Minimum plan: Dubai requires minimum essential benefits plan (DHA basic plan)
Employee Health Insurance
- Employer obligation: Employer must provide health insurance for employees and their sponsored dependants (in Abu Dhabi; in Dubai employer provides for employee only unless contract specifies dependants)
- Cost: AED 600-3,000/year for employee; add AED 600-2,000 per dependant
Recommended Health Insurance Providers in UAE
- AXA Gulf: Widely accepted; good network
- Daman (Abu Dhabi): Abu Dhabi-based; strong network in AD
- Mednet (MSH International): Popular for SME group plans
- Neuron (online): Digital-first; simple plans for small companies
- Cost saving: Use an insurance broker to compare multiple providers at once