Group health insurance for UAE employers
Employers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi must provide employee health cover. DIFC, ADGM, Shams and other free zones have their own rules. In the Northern Emirates the government portal ties a policy to residency permits from 1 January 2025, and a law firm note differs. Dubai fines start at AED 500 per month of delay.
Does your company have to provide employee health insurance?
It depends on where your employees work. Each emirate and free zone has its own rule.
| Where | Instrument | Employer duty | Who is covered | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai, including free zones such as DIFC | Law 11 of 2013, Art 4, Art 10 | Enrol employees, bear the cost, keep cover valid through service, bear emergency costs for uninsured employees, provide a card, produce the policy on residence permit issue or renewal | Employees. Benefits no less than Basic Coverage. A sponsor enrols sponsored persons who have no employer | Check for later amendments |
| Abu Dhabi | Law 23 of 2005, Art 3 to Art 5 | Provide cover. No residence permit, renewal or employment without enrolment | Employees and family members, including wife and three children under 18. Compulsory for non-UAE nationals and families residing in the emirate | The compilation runs to 2010. Check for later amendments |
| DIFC | Employment Law, Art 56 | Obtain and maintain cover as required by Regulations, federal law or Dubai law | Each employee | The duty depends on another law |
| ADGM | Employment Regulations 2024, s 49(1) | Obtain and maintain cover per the competent authority, which ADGM guidance names as the Department of Health | Employees, including Golden Visa holders, and dependants where applicable | The Golden Visa and remote employee lines are in guidance only |
| Shams, Sharjah | Employment Regulations 2023, Reg 31.1 | Take out and maintain compulsory health insurance with a provider licensed in the UAE | All employees | The 2017 regulations applied to every company or branch |
| Jafza, Dubai | Jafza Rules, Ninth Edition, Rule 10.2.1 | Employees of customers should be insured as the Health competent authority requires | All employees of customers | Defers to the health authority |
| Dubai Development Authority zones | DDA Employment General Terms and Conditions, Schedule 1, cl 9.1 | Subscribe the employee to the medical insurance required under Dubai law and the DDA Employment Regulations | Employees | Points to Dubai law |
| DWTC free zone, Dubai | DWTC Visa Application Process, step 4 | Arrange health insurance through approved providers before the residence visa is stamped | The visa applicant | A service guide, not the Free Zone Rules |
| Ajman Free Zone | Residency Visa Services service card, item 12 | Proof of valid health insurance for a new residency visa | The visa applicant | An undated service page |
| Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone | Rules and Regulations, First Edition, Reg 15.10 | Procure and maintain a medical insurance policy for all employees under applicable law. Evidence on request | All employees | March 2015 edition |
| Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah | Government guidance | Policy as a prerequisite for residency permits from 1 January 2025 | Private sector employees and domestic workers | Confirm with MOHRE |
The Dubai row is Art 4 and Art 10 of Law 11 of 2013.1 The ISAHD FAQ says the cost must not be deducted from salaries.2 Abu Dhabi’s Art 3 exempts some categories, such as employees of firms with licensed own medical facilities where exempted.3 ADGM guidance excepts remote employees who neither live nor work in the UAE.4
In federal law, Labour Law Art 13(8) has the employer bear medical care costs in accordance with the legislation in force.5 The Executive Regulations have the Ministry coordinate to monitor the employer’s commitment to provide health insurance.6 Domestic worker employers bear treatment costs under the health system in force, or provide insurance under the legislation in force.7
Ask the Department of Health about current standards and any change to the basic plan since 2010 if you are in Abu Dhabi. Ask DHA or your broker which rule applies to your licence if you are in Dubai.
What are the fines in Dubai and Abu Dhabi?
Abu Dhabi fines AED 300 monthly per person without cover.
| Breach | Dubai | Abu Dhabi |
|---|---|---|
| Failing to enrol | AED 500 per month of delay. Part months round up | AED 300 monthly per person without cover |
| Passing the cost to the employee | AED 10,000 per beneficiary plus refund | AED 10,000 per insured plus refund |
| Not paying emergency costs | AED 1,000 | No employer row in the schedule |
| Not providing a card | AED 1,000 per incident | No employer row in the schedule |
| Not providing the policy on permit issue or renewal | AED 1,000 per incident | Art 5 ties the residence permit, renewal and employment to enrolment |
| General range | AED 500 to AED 150,000. Doubled on repeat within a year, maximum AED 500,000 | Other violations AED 5,000 to AED 20,000 |
The Dubai amounts are from the 2016 schedule8 and Art 23 of the law. The schedule does not say per employee. Ask DHA or the Department of Health for the amount applied, and check on the Dubai Legal Portal that the schedule is still current.
DIFC’s Schedule 2 fine is USD 2,000.9
What applies in the Northern Emirates?
Sources describe the rule two ways. The government portal, updated 8 September 2026, says employers must buy a policy as a prerequisite for issuing or renewing residency permits of private sector employees and domestic workers from 1 January 2025, and that the system “will extend” to the five emirates. It excepts work permits issued before 1 January 2024 that remain valid, until residency renewal.10 A MOHRE observatory page says employers are required to buy a policy for all employees, and ties it to issuing and renewing residency permits.11
A law firm note of 27 October 2026 describes MOHRE guidance differently. It says a work permit cannot be issued or renewed unless a valid policy is verified, that the guidance adds no new obligations, that the employer pays, and that the framework was completed at the start of 2025.12
A Ministerial Resolution 504 of 2026 exists by title. The law firm note names no resolution number. Ask MOHRE which instrument applies to your permits.
Does the Workers Protection Programme cover health insurance?
No. The government page on the Workers Protection Programme states that the policy does not cover health insurance.13 See the WPP guide.
How big is group health insurance in the UAE?
Group health earned AED 32.78 billion in 2025, most of the AED 34.80 billion in the Central Bank’s health table.14
Fig. 1.Group health earned AED 32.78 billion of AED 34.80 billion in the health table
Earned premium, gross of reinsurance, UAE, 2025
3 categories. Highest: Group health, 32.78 AED billion. Lowest: Personal accident, 0.53 AED billion.
Data and source
Source: Central Bank of the UAE, Annual Statistical Report for the Insurance Sector of the UAE 2025, Table 19. Accessed 4 Nov 2026.
| Policy type | Earned premium |
|---|---|
| Group health | 32.78 AED billion |
| Individual health | 1.48 AED billion |
| Personal accident | 0.53 AED billion |
The whole health class wrote AED 36.42 billion in 2025, up 16.3% on 2024, on 2,835,855 policies. Paid claims were AED 26.21 billion, a paid loss ratio of 75.3%. Of AED 35.84 billion written within the UAE, 60.5% is allocated to Dubai, 33.3% to Abu Dhabi, 5.1% to Sharjah and 1.2% to the other emirates. These class figures are not group health alone. The report does not say how many group policies are employer schemes.14
Evidence table
| Measure | Group health, gross | Group health, net of reinsurance | Individual health, gross |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earned premium | 32,783,228 | 20,197,411 | 1,482,264 |
| Losses incurred | 26,317,051 | 15,896,179 | 985,585 |
| Commission | 1,824,621 | 1,066,028 | 186,528 |
| Expenses | 2,583,396 | 2,583,396 | 192,797 |
| Profit | 2,058,160 | 651,808 | 117,354 |
| Loss ratio | 80.3% | 78.7% | 66.5% |
| Commission ratio | 5.6% | 5.3% | 12.6% |
| Expense ratio | 7.9% | 12.8% | 13.0% |
| Combined ratio | 93.7% | 96.8% | 92.1% |
Evidence table
| Topic | Government portal | Law firm note on MOHRE guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Where the check sits | Residency permits | Work permits |
| Status of the extension | Will extend | Completed at the start of 2025 |
Watch
Dubai Health Authority uploads
Dubai Health AuthorityOpen channel on YouTube
Summary. Uploads from the channel that dha.gov.ae links.
Department of Health - Abu Dhabi uploads
Department of Health - Abu DhabiOpen channel on YouTube
Summary. Uploads from the channel that doh.gov.ae links.
The small print
- Dubai fine wording. The Dubai schedule’s fine column reads AED 500 per month of delay. One market page says AED 500 per month per uninsured employee. One law firm page gives monthly fines of AED 500 to AED 150,000, which merges the schedule amount with the Art 23 range. The same page gives Abu Dhabi as AED 300 to AED 500 against the AED 300 in the law and schedule.83
- Shams. The 2023 regulations bind every employer. The 2017 regulations (Reg 21.1) applied to every company or branch, with a company licensed in the UAE.15 The 2023 file has no express repeal clause in the English text read, and no health authority is named in the clause.16
- Dubai Essential Benefits Plan. DHA circular GC 03/2024 sets an index rate band of AED 550 to AED 750 per member per year from 1 January 2025, plus VAT and any other charges, with a variation of plus or minus AED 25. The annual aggregate limit is AED 150,000.17 The band is a regulator setting, not a quote. A band of AED 500 to AED 700 appears on market pages. ISAHD also lists GC 05-2025, titled as updated regulations superseding previous regulatory documents, and later circulars to GC 06-2026. Ask DHA whether they change the band.18 Who qualifies for the plan: ask DHA.
- Northern Emirates basic package. The government portal gives a basic package at AED 320 per year, valid for two years, with no waiting period for chronic illness, for ages 1 to 64. Co-payments are 20% inpatient (AED 500 per visit, AED 1,000 a year including medications), 25% outpatient (AED 100 per visit) and 30% on medications (AED 1,500 a year).10 One broker network’s notice says AED 320 excludes VAT and ICP fees, with ICP at AED 25.20, a gross AED 361.20, and gives annual limits of AED 50,000 inpatient and AED 10,000 outpatient. The portal shows neither figure and does not say whether AED 320 is one year’s price for a two-year policy. This is a Northern Emirates package, not a Dubai or Abu Dhabi price.19
- Dubai permit lists. DHA’s Health Insurance Intermediary Permit list has 142 rows as of 4 November 2026: 136 BRK, 3 CON, 2 AGT and 1 BNK by ID prefix.20 Its permitted insurers list shows 45 insurers with unconditional compliance on the same date. The site shows a last modified date of 25 March 2026. A permit says a firm may transact in Dubai and says nothing on quality.21 See brokers and insurers.
- Masdar City Free Zone. Reg 9.2 requires a government health card for every sponsored employee, to obtain a medical fitness certificate. The text does not call the card health insurance.22
- Placement of cover. Art 82(3) of Decree-Law 6 of 2025 bars a juridical person in the State from insuring its personnel in the State with insurers outside the State or in a financial free zone. Art 82(4) gives exceptions.23
- Dubai South. Rule 59.1 of the 2025 rules refers to medical insurance for employees to the extent the UAE labour laws require. This rests on a file not matched to an official Dubai South page, so it is not treated as confirmed. Ask Dubai South.24
- Dubai law. Art 23 of Law 11 of 2013 sets the fine range of AED 500 to AED 150,000.1
Before you speak to a broker
Group health insurance for UAE employers
When the question comes up
What a broker may ask you
Nothing you tick here is saved or sent.
The rules in full
Definition Health cover an employer arranges for its employees under its own policy. The Central Bank of the UAE reports group health separately from individual health.
Key facts
- Dubai fine for failing to enrol8Per month of delay. Part months round up.
- AED 500
- Abu Dhabi fine for no cover3Monthly, per person without cover.
- AED 300
- Group health premium earned, 202514Gross of reinsurance, UAE. Central Bank Table 19.
- AED 32.78 billion
- Group health loss ratio, 202514Gross. Individual health was 66.5%.
- 80.3%
What the evidence supports
- Dubai: employer enrols employees, bears the cost, keeps cover valid through service1Law 11 of 2013, Art 10. Art 4 extends the law across the emirate, including free zones such as DIFC. The policy is produced on residence permit issue or renewal.Last checked 4 Nov 2026
- Dubai: fines for failing to enrol and for charging the employee8Executive Council Resolution 7 of 2016, Schedule 2. Check for later amendments.Last checked 4 Nov 2026
- Abu Dhabi: employer provides cover for employees, wife and three children under 183Law 23 of 2005, Art 5, in a compilation with amendments to 2010. Check for later amendments.Last checked 4 Nov 2026
- DIFC: employer maintains cover as required by Regulations, federal law or Dubai law9Employment Law Art 56. Schedule 2 fine of USD 2,000.Last checked 4 Nov 2026
- ADGM: employer maintains cover for employees and, where applicable, dependants25Employment Regulations 2024, section 49(1), per the competent authority.Last checked 4 Nov 2026
- Shams: every employer takes out and maintains compulsory health insurance for all employees16Employment Regulations 2023, Reg 31.1, with a health insurance provider licensed in the UAE. The 2017 regulations (Reg 21.1) applied to every company or branch.Last checked 12 Nov 2026
- Jafza: all employees of customers should be insured as the health authority requires26Jebel Ali Free Zone Rules, Ninth Edition, Rule 10.2.1 (second sentence). Rule 11.5.1 lists health insurance among the costs a recruiting customer bears. The rule defers to the health authority.Last checked 12 Nov 2026
- Dubai Development Authority zones: the employer subscribes the employee to the medical insurance Dubai law requires27DDA Employment General Terms and Conditions, Schedule 1, cl 9.1 and cl 8.2. Points to Dubai law and does not name DHA.Last checked 12 Nov 2026
- Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone: every licensee keeps a medical insurance policy for all employees28Rules and Regulations, First Edition (March 2015), Reg 15.10. In accordance with applicable law. Evidence of a valid policy is given to the Authority on request.Last checked 12 Nov 2026
- DWTC: the client arranges health insurance through approved providers before the residence visa is stamped29DWTC Visa Application Process, step 4. An authority service guide, not in the Free Zone Rules V15. Approved providers are not named.Last checked 12 Nov 2026
- Ajman Free Zone: proof of valid health insurance is a required document for a new residency visa30Residency Visa Services service card, required documents item 12. An undated service page. No health authority is named.Last checked 12 Nov 2026
Nothing recorded here yet. That does not settle the question.
- Masdar City Free Zone: government health card for every sponsored employee22Reg 9.2. Required to obtain a medical fitness certificate. The text does not call the card health insurance.Last checked 4 Nov 2026
- Federal labour law refers medical care costs to other legislation5Art 13(8) has the employer bear medical care costs in accordance with the legislation in force.Last checked 4 Nov 2026
- Placement of cover for personnel in the State23Art 82(3) bars a juridical person in the State from insuring its personnel in the State with insurers outside the State or in a financial free zone. Art 82(4) gives exceptions.Last checked 4 Nov 2026
- Northern Emirates: policy as a prerequisite for residency permits from 1 January 202510The government portal states it. Ask MOHRE to confirm it against Ministerial Resolution 504 of 2026.Last checked 4 Nov 2026
- Dubai South: medical insurance to the extent the UAE labour laws require24Rule 59.1 of the 2025 rules. The file is not matched to an official Dubai South page. Ask Dubai South.Last checked 4 Nov 2026
- Who qualifies for the Dubai Essential Benefits Plan18Ask DHA.Last checked 4 Nov 2026
Sources
30
1Dubai Government, hosted by DHA ISAHD, Law No. 11 of 2013 Concerning Health Insurance in the Emirate of Dubai. Art 4, Art 9, Art 10, Art 11, Art 23. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Law No. 11 of 2013 Concerning Health Insurance in the Emirate of Dubai
2DHA ISAHD, FAQ. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: FAQ
3Department of Health Abu Dhabi, Law No. 23 of 2005 Concerning Health Insurance in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, HAAD compilation, Book 2. Art 3, Art 4, Art 5, Art 24, implementing schedule. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Law No. 23 of 2005 Concerning Health Insurance in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, HAAD compilation, Book 2
4ADGM Employment Affairs Office, Guidance on the Employment Regulations 2024, 18 February 2025. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Guidance on the Employment Regulations 2024
5UAE Federal Government, Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 Regarding the Regulation of Employment Relationship. Art 13(8). Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 Regarding the Regulation of Employment Relationship
6UAE Federal Government, Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022, Executive Regulations of the Labour Law. Art 22(3)(a). Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022, Executive Regulations of the Labour Law
7UAE Federal Government, Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022 on domestic workers. Art 11(5). Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022 on domestic workers
8Dubai 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, rows 6 to 10. 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
9DIFC Authority, DIFC Law No. 2 of 2019, Employment Law, Consolidated Version No. 5, July 2025. Art 56, Schedule 2. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: DIFC Law No. 2 of 2019, Employment Law
10UAE Government portal, Getting a health insurance, Updated 8 September 2026. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Getting a health insurance
11MOHRE Labour Market Observatory, Social Protection and Well-Being Assurance. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Social Protection and Well-Being Assurance
12Morgan 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
13UAE Government portal, Insurance against defaulting/non-compliant employers, Updated 7 August 2025. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Insurance against defaulting/non-compliant employers
14Central Bank of the UAE, Annual Statistical Report for the Insurance Sector of the UAE 2025. Tables 2A, 7, 12A, 14A, 19, 24A, p. 50. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Annual Statistical Report for the Insurance Sector of the UAE 2025
15Sharjah Media City Free Zone Authority, Employment Regulations 2017. Reg 21.1. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Employment Regulations 2017
16Sharjah Media City Free Zone Authority (Shams), Employment Regulations 2023. Reg 31.1. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Employment Regulations 2023
17Dubai Health Authority, GC 03/2024, Updated Table of Benefits for Essential Benefits Plan, 23 July 2024. Effective 1 Jan 2025. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: GC 03/2024, Updated Table of Benefits for Essential Benefits Plan
18DHA ISAHD, Law and Regulations. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Law and Regulations
19Asinta, Northern Emirates health insurance regulations. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Northern Emirates health insurance regulations
20DHA ISAHD, Permitted Intermediaries. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Permitted Intermediaries
21DHA ISAHD, Permitted Insurers. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Permitted Insurers
22Masdar City Free Zone, Employment Regulations, Version 2.0, March 2026. Reg 9.2. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Employment Regulations
23CBUAE Rulebook, Federal Decree-Law No. 6 of 2025 Regarding the Central Bank, Regulation of Financial Institutions and Activities and Insurance Business. Art 82. Effective 16 Sept 2025. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Federal Decree-Law No. 6 of 2025 Regarding the Central Bank, Regulation of Financial Institutions and Activities and Insurance Business
24Dubai South, Dubai South Free Zone Rules 2025, Second Edition. Rule 59.1. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Dubai South Free Zone Rules 2025, Second Edition
25ADGM, Employment Regulations 2024, section 49, Health insurance. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Employment Regulations 2024, section 49, Health insurance
26Jafza, Jebel Ali Free Zone Rules, Ninth Edition, 22 March 2023. Rules 10.2.1 and 11.5.1. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Jebel Ali Free Zone Rules, Ninth Edition
27Dubai Development Authority, DDA Employment General Terms and Conditions, Schedule 1 Employment Contract in the Zone. Cl 9.1 and cl 8.2. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: DDA Employment General Terms and Conditions, Schedule 1 Employment Contract in the Zone
28Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone Authority, Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone Rules and Regulations, First Edition, March 2015. Reg 15.10. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone Rules and Regulations, First Edition
29Dubai World Trade Centre Authority, DWTC Visa Application Process. Step 4, Review, Approval and Visa Process. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: DWTC Visa Application Process
30Ajman Free Zone, Residency Visa Services - New. Required documents, item 12. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Residency Visa Services - New
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