Health insurance in Dubai: who pays

In Dubai, health insurance is compulsory. The employer pays for its employees’ cover and may not charge it to them; a sponsor pays for the people it sponsors who have no employer, such as a spouse, children or domestic workers. Cover may not be lower than the Basic Coverage set by the DHA. An employer or sponsor who enrols someone late is fined AED 500 for each month of delay.

Frequently asked questions

Who pays for health insurance in Dubai?

The employer pays for its employees’ cover and may not charge it to them (Law No. (11) of 2013, Article 10(2)). A sponsor pays for the people it sponsors who have no employer, such as a spouse, children or domestic workers, and may not charge it to them either (Article 11(2)).

Can my employer deduct health insurance from my salary in Dubai?

No. Dubai’s health insurance law says the employer bears the cost of enrolling its employees and may not charge that cost to them (Law No. (11) of 2013, Article 10(2)).

Who pays for my spouse’s and children’s health insurance in Dubai?

The DHA encourages employers to cover employees’ spouses and children, but it is not compulsory for the employer. If the employer does not, the sponsor must arrange and pay for the cover (Law No. (11) of 2013, Article 11(2); DHA service catalogue).

What is the fine for not insuring an employee in Dubai?

AED 500 for each month of delay in enrolling an employee or sponsored person, and AED 1,000 per incident when the policy is not produced for a residence permit (Executive Council Resolution No. (7) of 2016). The law sets fines from AED 500 to AED 150,000 per violation, doubled if repeated within a year (Article 23).

What is the minimum health insurance in Dubai?

Cover provided by an employer or sponsor may not be lower than the Basic Coverage set by the DHA (Law No. (11) of 2013, Article 5), which the DHA calls the Essential Benefits Plan (EBP). Its premium, salary band and co-payments are not published in an official source we can use.