Healthcare in the United Arab Emirates is delivered through three regulators, two main public networks, and a private sector that handles most expat care. Mandatory employer-funded insurance covers Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with Sharjah moving to a similar model in 2025-2026 and the remaining Northern Emirates running a mixed picture. This hub explains how the system splits between public and private, who oversees it, what it costs, and how to access care as a resident, employer, or family sponsor. Each section below links to a deeper spoke article on insurance, regulators, hospitals, finding a doctor, maternity, mental health, medication and emergency care.
At a Glance
| Topic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Regulator — Dubai | Dubai Health Authority (DHA) |
| Regulator — Abu Dhabi | Department of Health Abu Dhabi (DOH) |
| Regulator — Northern Emirates | Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) — federal |
| Public hospital networks | SEHA (Abu Dhabi); Dubai Health (formerly DHA hospitals); MOHAP hospitals (Sharjah, Ajman, RAK, UAQ, Fujairah) |
| Mandatory health insurance | Abu Dhabi: mandatory since 2008. Dubai: mandatory since 2014 (DHIP). Sharjah: phased mandatory rollout 2025-2026. Other emirates: partial or voluntary. |
| Emergency numbers | 998 ambulance, 999 police (also handles medical), 997 civil defence, 700 poison control |
| GP visit — private, with insurance | AED 0-200 copay typical |
| GP visit — private, no insurance | AED 350-700 |
| ER visit — public | AED 100-300 (often waived for nationals on Thiqa) |
| ER visit — private | AED 1,500-3,500 before insurance |
| JCI-accredited facilities | 100+ across the UAE; concentrated in Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Telehealth platforms | Altibbi (Arabic-first), Okadoc (booking and video), M42 services, Aster Online, MediStays |
| Pharmacy access | 24-hour pharmacies in major cities; controlled drugs require a UAE-issued prescription — see the medication and pharmacy guide |
Public vs Private — How the System Splits
The UAE runs a two-track system. Public hospitals are operated by emirate-level networks and the federal ministry; private hospitals are run by listed groups, family-owned companies, and joint ventures with international academic centres. Most expats use private facilities because mandatory employer insurance is designed around the private network. UAE nationals hold near-universal coverage that funds care in both sectors.
In Abu Dhabi, public hospitals run under SEHA (Abu Dhabi Health Services Company), which operates Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Mafraq Hospital and Tawam among others. In Dubai, the former DHA hospital network was reorganised into Dubai Health, operator of Rashid, Latifa, Dubai and Hatta hospitals. In Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah, MOHAP runs federal public hospitals and primary care centres alongside emirate-level facilities.
The private side is dominated by a handful of groups: Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi (operated by M42), Mediclinic Middle East, NMC Healthcare, Aster DM Healthcare, Burjeel Holdings, Saudi German Health and American Hospital Dubai. They are part of the landscape rather than ranked — UAE rules prohibit superlative or comparative claims about named providers. See the hospital network guide for footprints and accreditation.
The Three Regulators (DHA, DOH, MOHAP)
UAE healthcare is regulated at three levels rather than nationally — the single most common source of expat confusion.
- Dubai Health Authority (DHA) — licenses doctors, nurses, clinics and hospitals in Dubai, runs the DHIP (Dubai Health Insurance Programme), the Sheryan licensing portal and the Nabidh health information exchange.
- Department of Health Abu Dhabi (DOH) — regulates facilities and professionals across Abu Dhabi (including Al Ain and Al Dhafra) and oversees the Daman and Thiqa schemes plus the Malaffi exchange.
- Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) — federal regulator for Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah; issues professional licences and operates federal hospitals.
A DHA-licensed doctor cannot automatically practise in Abu Dhabi without a separate DOH licence, and vice versa. MOHAP licensure is recognised across the Northern Emirates. Evaluation pathways and dataflow rules are in the regulator deep-dive.
Mandatory Health Insurance — A Per-Emirate Patchwork
There is no single federal health insurance law. Each emirate sets its own rules, and employers follow whichever applies to where the employee is sponsored.
Abu Dhabi
Mandatory employer-funded cover has applied since 2008, making Abu Dhabi the first emirate to require it. Sponsors must cover employees and dependants (spouse and up to three children under 18). UAE nationals are covered under Thiqa, a near-fully funded scheme administered by Daman. Government and lower-income workers are typically on Daman Basic or Enhanced plans.
Dubai
Under DHIP, employers have been required to provide cover for every employee since 2014, with rollout completed in 2016. Family sponsors must arrange cover for dependants — failure to do so blocks Emirates ID renewal and visa stamping. The Essential Benefits Plan (EBP) is the regulated minimum, with premiums starting around AED 600-800 per year for low-income workers.
Sharjah and the Northern Emirates
Sharjah announced a mandatory scheme rolling out in phases across 2025-2026. Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah currently operate a mixed picture: many private employers provide cover voluntarily, public-sector workers receive government cover, and lower-income residents may rely on out-of-pocket payment or charity care. A federal mandatory scheme has been discussed but is not yet law.
Premium ranges, network rules and the differences between Daman, Thiqa, DHIP and private commercial cover are in the health insurance guide. Family sponsors should also read the family sponsorship rules, because dependant insurance is a visa prerequisite.
Costs at a Glance
The figures below are typical ranges rather than fixed prices. Public charges depend on whether a person holds Thiqa, has a Health Card, or pays as a non-insured walk-in. Private prices vary by emirate, by clinic tier (DHA tier 1, 2 or 3 in Dubai), and by speciality.
| Service | Public (out-of-pocket) | Private (no insurance) | Private (with insurance) |
|---|---|---|---|
| GP consultation | AED 50-150 | AED 350-700 | AED 0-200 copay |
| Specialist consultation | AED 100-250 | AED 500-1,200 | AED 50-300 copay |
| ER visit (non-admission) | AED 100-300 | AED 1,500-3,500 | AED 100-500 copay |
| Basic ultrasound or X-ray | AED 100-300 | AED 400-900 | Usually covered |
| MRI scan | AED 800-1,500 | AED 1,800-4,000 | Pre-authorisation usual |
| Hospital stay per night (ward) | AED 300-800 | AED 1,500-4,000 | Subject to room limits |
| Maternity package — normal delivery | AED 7,000-15,000 | AED 18,000-45,000 | Wait period typically 6-12 months |
| Maternity package — caesarean | AED 12,000-22,000 | AED 28,000-65,000 | Subject to plan limits |
For household budgeting, see the cost of living guide alongside this. Maternity pathways are in the maternity care guide and the older family-side maternity walkthrough.
How to Get Care
The GP route
For non-urgent issues, book a GP (family medicine doctor) at a private clinic on your insurance network. Most offer same-day or next-day slots. The GP can refer to a specialist; on most plans, direct specialist visits are also covered but at a higher copay.
Telehealth
Several DHA-, DOH- and MOHAP-licensed platforms operate in the UAE. Altibbi is Arabic-first and includes prescription delivery in some emirates. Okadoc handles booking and video consultations and integrates with insurer panels. M42 runs its own telehealth services. Aster Online and MediStays offer video consultations tied to physical clinic networks. A telehealth visit is typically AED 60-200 — suitable for repeat prescriptions, minor infections, dermatology photos and mental-health follow-ups.
When to go to the emergency room
Use the ER for chest pain, suspected stroke (sudden weakness, slurred speech, facial droop), heavy bleeding, severe breathing difficulty, suspected fractures, or anything in a child under five with persistent high fever or unresponsiveness. Call 998 for an ambulance; paramedics route to the nearest appropriate ER, public or private. Triage rules are in the emergency care guide.
The unified record — Malaffi, Nabidh, Riayati
The UAE is moving towards unified records. Malaffi connects participating providers in Abu Dhabi; Nabidh does the same in Dubai; and the federal Riayati platform aims to link records nationally. Test results and prescriptions are increasingly visible across providers within the same emirate, so a Mediclinic GP can see a SEHA hospital's prior bloods, for example. Patients can request their own record via each platform's portal, and most insurers now accept digital prescriptions and lab orders without paper copies.
Pharmacy access
Pharmacies operate under DHA, DOH or MOHAP licence depending on emirate. Major chains include BinSina, Aster, Life and Boots; 24-hour branches operate in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Routine antibiotics and many prescription medicines are dispensed against a UAE-issued prescription. Controlled drugs — including codeine-containing painkillers, benzodiazepines and certain ADHD stimulants — require additional documentation, and self-import without an MOHAP permit is a criminal offence. The medication and pharmacy guide covers the controlled-drug list, import permits and travel-medication rules in detail.
The Sponsor Ecosystem
Healthcare access is tied to residency status. Three pieces of paperwork matter.
- Emirates ID — used at every clinic and hospital reception, required to open insurance claims, collect controlled-drug prescriptions, and book appointments at most public facilities. See the Emirates ID guide.
- Employer-sponsored insurance — employers must register you on a DHA-, DOH- or MOHAP-compliant plan within the deadlines set by your emirate of sponsorship. The plan card shows your network tier.
- Dependant cover — sponsors are responsible for spouse and children insurance under Dubai and Abu Dhabi rules. Many employers extend group cover to dependants; otherwise, individual policies start around AED 1,500-3,500 per dependant per year for a basic plan.
Gaps between jobs are a recurring problem. A new employer typically registers you within 30 days, but cover usually starts on the policy effective date, not your first day at work. Short-term bridging plans of 30-90 days can fill the gap.
Quality Anchors
Because UAE rules prohibit superlatives about named providers, residents use objective accreditation markers to assess facilities.
JCI accreditation
Joint Commission International (JCI) accredits hospitals worldwide against patient-safety standards. The UAE has 100+ JCI-accredited facilities, concentrated in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Status is renewed on a three-year cycle and is searchable at jointcommissioninternational.org. JCI accreditation does not rank facilities; it confirms a defined set of standards has been met.
DHA tier system in Dubai
DHA classifies private clinics and hospitals into tiers 1, 2 and 3, which affects how insurers reimburse them. A tier 1 clinic typically charges the highest consultation fees and is the most likely to be excluded from basic plans. The Sheryan portal at dha.gov.ae lists every licensed facility and its tier.
How to verify your provider
- Dubai: DHA Sheryan portal — search by name or licence number.
- Abu Dhabi: DOH professional licence search.
- Northern Emirates: MOHAP professional licence service at mohap.gov.ae.
If your doctor's licence is not on the register, do not proceed — practising without a current licence is a violation. Step-by-step verification is in the finding a doctor guide. Mental-health-specific licensing is in the mental health guide; paediatric overlap is in the kids' healthcare guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is healthcare free in the UAE?
No, not for expats. UAE nationals receive heavily subsidised or near-fully funded care — Thiqa in Abu Dhabi is the most comprehensive scheme. Expats rely on employer-funded insurance, mandatory in Abu Dhabi and Dubai and being phased in across Sharjah. Without cover, private GP and ER bills can run into the thousands.
What is mandatory health insurance and who has to have it?
Mandatory cover means employers must provide a minimum-standard plan to every employee, and family sponsors must cover dependants. It applies fully in Abu Dhabi (since 2008) and Dubai (since 2014 under DHIP), and Sharjah is in a 2025-2026 rollout. Other emirates do not yet have a universal mandate, though most large employers provide cover anyway.
How do I see a doctor in Dubai or Abu Dhabi?
Book via your insurer's portal, the clinic's website, or a platform like Okadoc or Altibbi. Bring your Emirates ID and insurance card. GP appointments are usually same- or next-day at a private clinic. Most plans cover direct specialist booking, though referrals can lower your copay.
What is the difference between Daman and Thiqa?
Both are administered by the National Health Insurance Company (Daman) in Abu Dhabi but cover different populations. Thiqa is for UAE nationals and offers near-fully funded coverage at SEHA and most private hospitals. Daman's Basic and Enhanced commercial plans are what employers buy for expat workers. Networks and copays differ substantially.
How much does a doctor's visit cost without insurance?
A private GP visit typically runs AED 350-700 and a specialist consultation AED 500-1,200. Public consultations for non-insured walk-ins are cheaper at AED 100-250 at a SEHA or MOHAP primary care centre, though queues can be long. ER visits start around AED 1,500 at a private hospital.
Are public hospitals open to expats?
Yes. Expats can attend SEHA, Dubai Health and MOHAP hospitals on a paid or insured basis. Public emergency departments treat acute presentations without payment checks. Routine outpatient care usually requires a Health Card and payment, though many private insurance plans now include selected public providers.
What number do I call for an ambulance?
Call 998 for an ambulance and medical emergencies. 999 reaches the police and is also routed for medical emergencies. 997 is civil defence (fire), and 700 handles poison control. The 998 service is free at the point of use; crews route to the most appropriate ER, public or private.
How do I check if my doctor is licensed?
Use the regulator's online register: DHA Sheryan at dha.gov.ae for Dubai, DOH licence search for Abu Dhabi, and MOHAP at mohap.gov.ae for the Northern Emirates. Every practising doctor must hold a current licence in the emirate where they see patients.
Can I bring my own medication into the UAE?
Some medications that are over-the-counter elsewhere are controlled in the UAE — including certain painkillers, sleep aids and anxiety medications. You may need a pre-approved import permit from MOHAP and a copy of the original prescription. Full details are in the medication and pharmacy guide.
