In the UAE, employers play a central role in providing health insurance for their employees, including domestic workers under their sponsorship. The rules for coverage, however, vary depending on the emirate and whether family members are included.

Abu Dhabi

In Abu Dhabi, both employers and sponsors are required to provide health insurance for employees and, in most cases, their families, which typically covers one spouse and up to three children under 18. The Department of Health specifies that individuals earning less than AED 5,000 per month—or AED 4,000 plus housing allowance—are eligible for a basic product policy. Families with more than three children or employees seeking more comprehensive coverage can arrange extended insurance plans through additional procedures.

Dubai

Health insurance is mandatory in Dubai under the Dubai Health Insurance Law, effective since January 2014. Employers must provide an Essential Benefits Plan (EBP), with premiums generally ranging between Dh550 and Dh650, ensuring basic healthcare access for employees, including those on lower wages. While employers usually cover their employees, coverage for dependents—spouse, parents, or children—must be arranged separately if not included in the employer-provided plan.

Northern Emirates

Since January 2025, all private sector employees and domestic workers in the northern emirates—Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah—are required to have basic health insurance. This builds on mandatory schemes already in place in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) launched the Health Insurance Scheme in December 2024, approved by the UAE Cabinet and developed with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP), Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP), and several insurance providers. Under this scheme, dependents receive the same benefits and pricing as the employee according to the insurance policy.

Purchasing Health Insurance

Employers are responsible for obtaining health insurance as a requirement for issuing or renewing residency permits. Policies can be purchased through the DubaiCare Network or any accredited insurance provider. Various channels are available, including the Insurance Pool website and business service centres across the UAE. The DubaiCare Network offers competitive rates and affordable treatment costs, reducing the financial burden on employers while ensuring employees have access to necessary healthcare.

Overall, while the rules differ by emirate, the responsibility for providing health insurance in the UAE lies firmly with employers and sponsors, with structured frameworks in place to cover employees and their dependents efficiently.