The cost of health insurance in Dubai is a concern.
With more than 3,700 clinics and 30 hospitals, highly trained doctors, and state-of-the-art equipment, the emirate ranks high on the world’s list of excellence in healthcare.
But the prices of health services are so high that it is essential to subscribe to good health insurance for your stay in the country, especially if you move to Dubai long-term.
We explain it all to you!
Health Insurance Cost in Dubai: a Budget not to Be Neglected
The subscription to health insurance is mandatory in Dubai since 2015
Dubai is populated with 90% of expatriates, including many modest workers for whom it is almost impossible to get medical care in Dubai due to the prices charged.
This is why, since 2015, all residents are obliged to subscribe to minimal health insurance in Dubai.
It is normally the employer who takes care of this for the expatriate.
When this is not the case, it is up to the future insured to take care of the formalities, making sure that his health insurance is recognized by the Dubai authorities.
Without it, the visa application will be rejected.
Foreigners have access to the local health insurance system
All foreigners have access to the public health insurance system of Dubai, managed by the DHA (Dubai Health Authority).
You must apply for a health card that gives you free access to consultations, surgeries, maternity care, emergencies, and examinations prescribed in the public institutions of Dubai.
There is a fee for this card. Its price is higher for foreigners than for nationals, and it does not cover dental or optical expenses.
In fact, it is mainly intended to protect the poorest locals and workers.
Taking out private health insurance in Dubai remains essential
Health care in the United Arab Emirates and in Dubai is mainly the business of the private sector, which is very present and offers a very wide range of care as well as greater freedom of choice of practitioner and a better quality of care than the public sector.
This is the reason why most foreigners living in Dubai generally prefer to entrust their health to the private sector.
But this excellence comes at a price: an average of 50 to 100 euros to see a general practitioner, and 100 to 250 euros for a specialist.
It is not possible to finance such expenses on your own, and it is therefore essential to take out private insurance in order to be properly taken care of and reimbursed in Dubai in case of illness, accident, or hospitalization.
Health Insurance in Dubai: Costs & Offers
The cost of health insurance in Dubai depends on many criteria
It is not possible to know the price of health insurance in Dubai in advance as it depends on many individual criteria:
- Covered benefits
- Age and personal situation of the insured
- Deductibles and ceilings
- Duration of the coverage
- Number of beneficiaries
- Etc.
As a minimum, good health insurance in Dubai should cover routine medical care, hospitalization, and repatriation, as it is sometimes more advantageous to be hospitalized or treated outside the emirate for financial or practical reasons, especially in case of long term hospitalization, and such an approach is particularly costly.
1st dollar offers: an excellent quality-price ratio
The 1st dollar offers allow you to be reimbursed from the first dollar spent, and up to the actual cost of the care. This way, you know in advance what amounts will actually be covered.
This is a solution that is often recommended as health insurance in Dubai for expatriates and travelers – its quality often justifies the price.
These contracts are particularly appreciated for their flexibility: it is possible to benefit from a tailor-made coverage, or almost.
It is thus possible to opt for basic coverage (routine care, hospitalization, repatriation) or more extensive coverage (protection of personal belongings or airline tickets, etc.), depending on one’s needs and budget.
The main negative point of this type of health insurance for Dubai is that a medical questionnaire is mandatory at the time of enrollment. The insurer may apply exclusions of coverage or increases in premiums in case of chronic illness or medical history.
