Employee insurance for UAE employers
WPP is a choice of bank guarantee or insurance, except for establishments MOHRE classes high-risk, which insure. Health cover depends on the emirate or zone. ILOE sits on the worker. Work injury liability sits on the employer, and the Labour Law requires no work injury policy.
Checklist
Employee insurance for UAE employers
Facts that decide which rules apply
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Which staff insurance rules apply to you?
WPP, health cover and work injury liability sit on the employer, and ILOE sits on the worker.
| Rule | Who carries it | Trigger | Text | Free-zone reach |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WPP guarantee or insurance | Establishment | Workers under the Labour Law. High-risk class removes the guarantee option | Cabinet Resolution 18 of 2022, Art 8 | The texts do not say. Some zone documents carry their own terms, see the WPP guide |
| Employee health cover | Employer | Staff in a given emirate or zone | Emirate and zone laws, next table | Dubai law names free zones. Others vary |
| ILOE unemployment insurance | Worker | Private and federal government sector work | Cabinet Resolution 97 of 2022, Art 2 | The texts do not say. See the ILOE guide |
| Work injury liability | Employer | Work injury or occupational disease | Labour Law Art 37 | Zone laws differ |
| Workmen's compensation policy | Licensee, where a zone sets it | Zone licence terms | No policy term in the Labour Law or Cabinet Resolution 33. Zone documents below | Named zones only |
The rules come from Cabinet Resolution 18 of 2022,1 Cabinet Resolution 97 of 20222 and the Labour Law.3 The detail is on the WPP guide and the ILOE guide.
Labour Law Art 13(9) has the employer bear the expenses of insurances, subscriptions and guarantees “determined by the legislation in force”. It refers out and names no policy.3
What health cover do you have to provide?
It depends on where the staff are.
| Jurisdiction | What the text says | Stated consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai, including free zones such as DIFC | Employer enrols employees, bears the cost, keeps cover valid through service and produces the policy on residence permit issue or renewal. Art 4, Art 10. | Fine AED 500 to AED 150,000, doubled on repeat within a year, maximum AED 500,000. Art 23. Schedule: AED 500 per month of delay. AED 10,000 per beneficiary charged, plus refund. |
| Abu Dhabi | Employer provides cover for employees and family members, including wife and three children under 18. No residence permit, renewal or employment without enrolment. Art 5. Art 3 lists exemptions. | Not less than AED 300 for each month, by person. Art 24(1). AED 10,000 per insured for passing on cost. |
| Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah | From 1 January 2025 employers buy a policy as a prerequisite for residency permits of private sector employees and domestic workers. Exception for work permits issued before 1 January 2024 and still valid, until renewal. | Ask MOHRE for the fine amounts |
| DIFC | Cover as required by DIFC Regulations, federal law or Dubai law. Art 56. | USD 2,000. Schedule 2 |
| ADGM | Employer obtains and maintains cover for employees, and dependants where applicable. Section 49(1). | Ask ADGM for the penalty |
| Jafza | All employees of customers are insured as the health competent authority requires. Rule 10.2.1, Ninth Edition. | Not stated |
| DWTC | The client arranges health insurance through approved providers, before the residence visa is stamped. Visa application process, August 2025. The Free Zone Rules do not contain it. | Not stated |
| Shams | Every employer takes out and maintains compulsory health insurance for all employees with a health insurance provider licensed in the UAE. Reg 31.1, 2023 regulations. | Not stated |
| Masdar City | A DoH government health card for every sponsored employee, to obtain a fitness certificate. Reg 9.2, March 2026. The text does not call this health insurance. | Not stated |
These come from the Dubai law4 and fines resolution,5 the Abu Dhabi law,6 the government health page,7 DIFC’s Employment Law,8 ADGM section 49,9 the Jafza Rules,10 the DWTC visa process,11 and the Shams12 and Masdar City13 regulations.
The government page lists a basic package at AED 320 a year, described for the Northern Emirates. It is not a Dubai or Abu Dhabi price.7
Ask MOHRE how Ministerial Resolution 504 of 2026 treats minimum cover, scope and free zones.
Who pays when a worker is injured at work?
You do, as the employer. Labour Law Art 37 has the employer bear treatment costs until the worker is cured or disability is proven, and pay the full wage for the treatment period or 6 months, whichever is less. If treatment runs longer, half wage follows for another 6 months, or until cure, disability or death. On death, the family receives basic wage for 24 months, within a floor of AED 18,000 and a cap of AED 200,000, on top of gratuity and other dues.3
Cabinet Resolution 33 of 2022 has the employer report to the medical authority and the police, and to the Ministry within 48 hours. Art 7 has the employer pay compensation under attached tables.14 The government page states a formula for disability, a percentage of 24 months’ basic wage, and payment within 10 days of the medical report.15 Neither appears in the Labour Law or Cabinet Resolution 33. Ministerial Resolution 657 of 2022, which the same page lists, may hold them.
Do you need a work injury insurance policy?
The Labour Law and Cabinet Resolution 33 do not require one. The Labour Law uses the word insurance only in Art 13(9) and a wage deduction clause. Some insurer and broker pages call the policy mandatory under the Labour Law, which has no such term.
WPP cover pays work injury medical costs within its AED 20,000 limit, on employer default, and the employer repays.16
Some free zones do set the condition.
| Zone | Term | Document |
|---|---|---|
| DMCC | Workmen's compensation for companies with active employees. Cancelling all visas ends it. The FAQ and guideline differ on shareholders. Ask DMCC. | Authority guideline |
| Jafza | Workmen's compensation for Jafza-sponsored employees. The Rules have a customer take it each year for its employees, covering injury and disability compensation and related medical expenses, and send Jafza the policy and an insurer certificate. | Authority service guide and Jafza Rules, Rule 10.2 |
| DWTC | Licensees hold workmen's compensation for permanent injury, disability and related medical expenses. No employee trigger on the face of the rule. | Authority rules |
| RAKEZ | Licensees provide worker's compensation insurance to employees. | Authority rules |
| Shams | Every employer takes out worker's compensation covering permanent injury, disability and related medical expenses, and lodges a copy of the policy with the Authority on request. Reg 31, 2023. | Authority regulations |
| Masdar City | Licensees take out worker's compensation. | Authority regulations |
| DIFC | No policy term. Art 55: negligence damages of up to two years' Annual Wage as a Court determines. | DIFC law |
| ADGM | No policy term. Section 48 sets employer liability for injury costs and negligence. | ADGM regulations |
The terms come from DMCC,17 Jafza,1810 DWTC,19 RAKEZ,20 Shams,12 ADGM section 4821 and DIFC’s Employment Law.8
One insurer says client contracts and tenders can also ask for this cover.22 The workmen’s compensation page has the detail.
Check your zone’s document before you assume a policy is or is not required.
Do WPS and end of service gratuity affect your insurance?
Neither is an insurance rule. The Wage Protection System governs how wages are paid. Morgan Lewis reported on 22 May 2026 that Ministerial Resolution 340 of 2026 would come into force on 1 June 2026, repeal Resolution 598 of 2022, set the first of each month as the wage due date and set an 85% compliance threshold. Escalation runs from notices on day 2 and possible suspension of new work permits on day 5 to, on day 21 in certain cases, attachment, travel bans and referral to the Public Prosecutor. It applies directly to private sector companies licensed with MOHRE, and Morgan Lewis says it remains to be seen whether free zones with their own WPS, such as DMCC and Jafza, amend their rules.23
End of service touches insurance in three places. WPP cover lists end-of-service benefits among the entitlements it pays on default, within AED 20,000.16 ILOE fines can be collected from end of service gratuity.2 Death compensation under Art 37(3) is paid on top of gratuity.3 None of these texts has a policy fund gratuity itself.
The small print
- Dubai’s fine unit. The schedule reads AED 500 per month of delay and does not say per employee. One market page says per uninsured employee. The range in Art 23 and the schedule amount are different things.5
- Abu Dhabi. The law text is a compilation that includes amendments to 2010.6
- The Northern Emirates check. The government page speaks of residency permits. Morgan Lewis, on 27 October 2026, says MOHRE guidance ties verification to work permits, adds no new obligations, and has the employer bear the cost and not cancel a policy where that leaves the employee uncovered.24
- Price of the basic package. One broker network page says the AED 320 excludes VAT and an ICP fee of AED 25.20, for AED 361.20 in total.25
- Shams. The 2017 regulations, Reg 21, applied to every company or branch, with no employee trigger, and said a company licensed in the UAE. The 2023 regulations bind every employer. The 2023 text contains no express repeal clause in the English text read.2612
- Juveniles. Cabinet Resolution 1 of 2022 has an employer of a juvenile provide insurance “similar to regular manpower”, without saying which insurance.27
- Private sector size. The FCSC Labour Force Survey 2025 gives shares only, with no emirate, free-zone or activity breakdown in the employed tables, and says nothing on insured workers.28
| Measure | Figure | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Private sector share of employed persons aged 15 and over | 75% | FCSC survey, 2025 |
| Private household share | 11% | FCSC survey, 2025 |
| Paid employees | 96% | FCSC survey, 2025 |
| Employers | 3% | FCSC survey, 2025 |
| Workers paid by WPP | More than 44,000 | Since launch. Review date 22 July 2026 |
| WPP paid to workers | More than AED 300 million | Last 5 years. Review date 22 July 2026 |
| WPP paid, as reported | More than AED 320 million | By the end of June 2026, start date not stated |
| ILOE policyholders among the targeted private sector workforce | 88.38% | Review date 13 November 2025 |
| ILOE paid to workers, as reported | More than AED 512 million | Start of 2024 to end of first half 2026 |
The WPP and ILOE figures are from the MOHRE Observatory29 and ETHRWorld, citing MOHRE.30 These figures do not show who is insured.
Sources
30
1UAE Federal Government, Cabinet Resolution No. 18 of 2022 Concerning the Classification of Private Sector Establishments. Art 8. Effective 1 Jun 2022. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Cabinet Resolution No. 18 of 2022 Concerning the Classification of Private Sector Establishments
2UAE Federal Government, Cabinet Resolution No. 97 of 2022 on the Unemployment Insurance Scheme. Art 2, Art 8. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Cabinet Resolution No. 97 of 2022 on the Unemployment Insurance Scheme
3UAE Federal Government, Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 Regarding the Regulation of Employment Relationship. Art 13, Art 37. Effective 2 Feb 2022. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 Regarding the Regulation of Employment Relationship
4Dubai Government, hosted by DHA ISAHD, Law No. 11 of 2013 Concerning Health Insurance in the Emirate of Dubai. Art 4, Art 10, Art 23. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Law No. 11 of 2013 Concerning Health Insurance in the Emirate of Dubai
5Dubai Executive Council, hosted by DHA ISAHD, Executive Council Resolution No. 7 of 2016 Approving Health Insurance Fees and Fines in the Emirate of Dubai. Schedule 2. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Executive Council Resolution No. 7 of 2016 Approving Health Insurance Fees and Fines in the Emirate of Dubai
6Department of Health Abu Dhabi, Law No. 23 of 2005 Concerning Health Insurance in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (compilation). Art 3, Art 5, Art 24. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Law No. 23 of 2005 Concerning Health Insurance in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (compilation)
7UAE Government portal, source MOHRE, Getting a health insurance, Page updated 8 September 2026. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Getting a health insurance
8DIFC Authority, DIFC Law No. 2 of 2019, Employment Law, Consolidated Version No. 5, July 2025. Art 55, Art 56, Schedule 2. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: DIFC Law No. 2 of 2019, Employment Law, Consolidated Version No. 5
9ADGM, Employment Regulations 2024, section 49. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Employment Regulations 2024, section 49
10Jafza, Jebel Ali Free Zone Rules, Ninth Edition, Ninth Edition. Rule 10.2. Effective 22 Mar 2023. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Jebel Ali Free Zone Rules, Ninth Edition
11Dubai World Trade Centre Authority, Visa Application Process, August 2025, from the file name. Step 4. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Visa Application Process
12Sharjah Media City Free Zone Authority, Employment Regulations 2023. Reg 31. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Employment Regulations 2023
13Masdar City Free Zone, Employment Regulations, Version 2.0, March 2026. Reg 9, Reg 11. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Employment Regulations, Version 2.0
14UAE Federal Government, Cabinet Resolution No. 33 of 2022 on work injuries and occupational diseases. Art 3, Art 7, Schedules. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Cabinet Resolution No. 33 of 2022 on work injuries and occupational diseases
15UAE Government portal, Work Injury Compensation in the UAE, Page updated 15 October 2026. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Work Injury Compensation in the UAE
16UAE Government portal, source MOHRE, Insurance against defaulting/non-compliant employers, Page updated 7 August 2025. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Insurance against defaulting/non-compliant employers
17DMCC, Apply for Insurance Application Guideline, Version 1, Issued 9 May 2023. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Apply for Insurance Application Guideline, Version 1
18Jafza, Insurance Document Update, Jafza services guide. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Insurance Document Update, Jafza services guide
19Dubai World Trade Centre Authority, Free Zone Rules and Regulations, V15. Rule 10.2.1, Rule 10.3.1. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Free Zone Rules and Regulations, V15
20RAKEZ Authority, RAKEZ Authority Operating Rules of 2023. Rule 15.2. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: RAKEZ Authority Operating Rules of 2023
21ADGM, Employment Regulations 2024, section 48. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Employment Regulations 2024, section 48
22Al Buhaira National Insurance, Workers' Compensation and Employers' Liability Insurance in the UAE. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Workers' Compensation and Employers' Liability Insurance in the UAE
23Morgan Lewis, UAE Introduces New Wage Protection System Resolution Effective 1 June 2026, 22 May 2026. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: UAE Introduces New Wage Protection System Resolution Effective 1 June 2026
24Morgan Lewis, Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation Clarifies Health Insurance Requirements for Work Permit Procedures, 27 October 2026. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation Clarifies Health Insurance Requirements for Work Permit Procedures
25Asinta (broker network), Northern Emirates health insurance regulations, 2025. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Northern Emirates health insurance regulations
26Sharjah Media City Free Zone Authority, Employment Regulations 2017. Reg 21. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Employment Regulations 2017
27UAE Federal Government, Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022 on the Implementation of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022 on the Implementation of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021
28Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, Labour Force Survey 2025. Tables 2.12.06, 2.12.09. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Labour Force Survey 2025
29MOHRE Labour Market Observatory, Social Protection and Well-Being Assurance. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Social Protection and Well-Being Assurance
30ETHRWorld, citing MOHRE, UAE worker protection schemes pay out over AED 832 million in benefits and compensation, 12 August 2026. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: UAE worker protection schemes pay out over AED 832 million in benefits and compensation
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