Free zone insurance requirements
What each free zone asks a licensed company to insure, and what its texts say about health insurance for your staff.
Which free zones have insurance rules?
A zone name is a link when the zone's own texts set an insurance or guarantee rule. A blank does not mean the zone lets companies go without cover.
| Free zone | Emirate | Insurance rules in its texts | What it says about health insurance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone | Abu Dhabi | 5 | Refers to the Abu Dhabi government health card |
| Abu Dhabi Global Market | Abu Dhabi | 7 | Requires employers to provide health insurance, as set by the Department of Health Abu Dhabi |
| Ajman Free Zone | Ajman | 5 | Its rules require health insurance for employees |
| Ajman Media City Free Zone | Ajman | ||
| Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone | Ajman | ||
| Creative City Fujairah | Fujairah | 1 | |
| Dubai Airport Free Zone | Dubai | 6 | |
| Dubai Cars and Automotive ZoneDesignated zone for VAT | Dubai | ||
| Dubai CommerCity | Dubai | ||
| Dubai Design District | Dubai | 4 | Requires medical insurance under Dubai Development Authority rules or Dubai law |
| Dubai Healthcare City | Dubai | 8 | |
| Dubai Industrial ParkMinistry of Economy list only | Dubai | ||
| Dubai International Academic City | Dubai | 4 | Requires medical insurance under Dubai Development Authority rules or Dubai law |
| Dubai International Financial Centre | Dubai | 4 | Requires cover as set by DIFC regulations, federal law or Dubai law |
| Dubai Internet City | Dubai | 4 | Requires medical insurance under Dubai Development Authority rules or Dubai law |
| Dubai Knowledge Park | Dubai | 4 | Requires medical insurance under Dubai Development Authority rules or Dubai law |
| Dubai Maritime City | Dubai | ||
| Dubai Media City | Dubai | 4 | Requires medical insurance under Dubai Development Authority rules or Dubai law |
| Dubai Multi Commodities Centre | Dubai | 7 | Points to UAE law. DMCC says on its service page that health insurance is mandatory |
| Dubai Outsource City | Dubai | 4 | Requires medical insurance under Dubai Development Authority rules or Dubai law |
| Dubai Production City | Dubai | 4 | Requires medical insurance under Dubai Development Authority rules or Dubai law |
| Dubai Science Park | Dubai | 4 | Requires medical insurance under Dubai Development Authority rules or Dubai law |
| Dubai Silicon Oasis | Dubai | ||
| Dubai South Free Zone | Dubai | 8 | Requires medical insurance to the extent UAE labour law requires it |
| Dubai Studio City | Dubai | 4 | Requires medical insurance under Dubai Development Authority rules or Dubai law |
| Dubai Textile CityMinistry of Economy list only | Dubai | ||
| Dubai Wholesale CityMinistry of Economy list only | Dubai | ||
| Dubai World Trade Centre Free Zone | Dubai | 5 | Its visa process requires health insurance through approved providers before the residence visa is stamped |
| Expo City Dubai Free Zone | Dubai | 1 | |
| Fujairah Free Zone | Fujairah | ||
| Fujairah Oil Industry Zone | Fujairah | 1 | |
| Gold and Diamond Park | Dubai | ||
| Hamriyah Free Zone | Sharjah | 5 | |
| Industrial City of Abu DhabiOn one authority list only | Abu Dhabi | ||
| International Free Zone Authority | Dubai | Points to the Dubai Health Authority and Dubai Law No. 11 of 2013 | |
| International Humanitarian City | Dubai | 5 | |
| Jebel Ali Free Zone | Dubai | 14 | Points to the Dubai Health Authority. The recruiting company bears the cost |
| Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi | 8 | Refers to the Abu Dhabi government health card |
| Masdar City Free Zone | Abu Dhabi | 5 | Refers to the Department of Health government health card |
| Meydan Free Zone | Dubai | ||
| National Industries Park | Dubai | ||
| RAK Digital Assets OasisNot on the main official lists | Ras Al Khaimah | ||
| RAK International Corporate CentreNot on the main official lists | Ras Al Khaimah | ||
| RAK Maritime City Free Zone | Ras Al Khaimah | 2 | |
| Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone | Ras Al Khaimah | 12 | Its rules require health insurance for employees |
| Ras Al Khaimah Innovation City | Ras Al Khaimah | ||
| Sharjah Airport International Free Zone | Sharjah | ||
| Sharjah Healthcare City | Sharjah | 2 | |
| Sharjah Media City Free Zone | Sharjah | 5 | Requires every employer to take out health insurance for all employees with a UAE-licensed insurer |
| Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone | Sharjah | ||
| Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park | Sharjah | 2 | |
| twofour54 | Abu Dhabi | 3 | Points to Abu Dhabi Law No. 23 of 2005 on health insurance |
| Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone | Umm Al Quwain | 8 | Requires medical insurance in accordance with the applicable law |
Sources
- Ministry of Economy and Tourism, free zones for company incorporation. Read 12 November 2026.
- UAE Government portal, doing business in free zones. Read 12 November 2026.
- Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, mainland and free zones. Read 12 November 2026.
- Federal Tax Authority, designated zones. Read 12 November 2026.
Each zone page lists the rule texts behind its row.