Health insurance solutions for expats living in Abu Dhabi
Access to private healthcare in the UAE and internationally
Flexible cover designed for international lifestyles
If you are moving to Abu Dhabi to live or work, arranging suitable health insurance in Abu Dhabi is an essential part of your relocation.
Health insurance is mandatory for expatriate residents in the Emirate, and proof of appropriate cover is linked to residency requirements. While your employer or sponsor should provide health insurance, the level of cover available can vary considerably.
For expatriates who want access to a broader healthcare network, higher benefit limits or medical treatment outside the UAE, international health insurance in Abu Dhabi can provide more comprehensive protection.
Yes. Health insurance is mandatory for expatriates living and working in Abu Dhabi.
The Emirate operates a mandatory health insurance system regulated by the Department of Health Abu Dhabi (DoH). Non-UAE nationals holding an Abu Dhabi work or residence visa must have appropriate medical insurance.
Employers and sponsors have responsibilities for ensuring that the people under their employment or sponsorship have the required health insurance.
The rules applying to employees and their dependants can vary according to their employment, sponsorship and insurance arrangements, so expatriates should check exactly who is covered under their employer-provided policy.
Having mandatory insurance does not necessarily mean that every healthcare expense or medical provider will be covered. It is therefore important to understand your policy's limits, healthcare network, exclusions, deductibles and co-payments.
Abu Dhabi has a highly developed healthcare system combining public and private hospitals, clinics and specialist medical centres.
The healthcare sector is regulated by the Department of Health Abu Dhabi, which oversees healthcare providers and the Emirate's health insurance system.
UAE nationals can benefit from government-funded healthcare arrangements, including the Thiqa programme, while expatriates generally access healthcare through mandatory private health insurance.
Abu Dhabi is home to a wide range of private healthcare facilities providing services such as:
General medicine
Specialist consultations
Emergency treatment
Diagnostic imaging
Surgery
Maternity care
Paediatrics
Dental treatment
Rehabilitation
Treatment for chronic conditions
For expatriates, private healthcare can provide access to an extensive choice of facilities and specialists. However, more complex treatment and hospitalisation can result in substantial medical expenses, making the level of health insurance cover particularly important.
Choosing health insurance in Abu Dhabi involves more than simply complying with local regulations.
Start by checking the policy provided by your employer or sponsor and identifying what is and is not covered.
Important points to compare include:
Annual benefit limits
Hospital and clinic network
Inpatient treatment
Outpatient consultations
Specialist appointments
Prescription medication
Diagnostic tests and scans
Emergency treatment
Maternity benefits
Deductibles
Co-payments
Treatment outside Abu Dhabi
International geographical cover
If the policy provided by your employer offers limited benefits, you may want additional or more comprehensive healthcare protection.
A local health insurance plan can be suitable for expatriates whose healthcare needs are mainly limited to Abu Dhabi or the UAE.
However, expatriates often have needs that extend beyond one country.
An international health insurance plan in Abu Dhabi may be more appropriate if you regularly travel abroad, want access to treatment in other countries or expect to relocate again in the future.
Depending on the plan selected, international health insurance can provide:
Access to a wider international healthcare network
Higher annual benefit limits
Private hospital treatment
Medical cover outside the UAE
Greater choice of doctors and specialists
International medical assistance
Medical evacuation or repatriation
This type of coverage can be especially relevant for internationally mobile professionals and families living in Abu Dhabi.
The exact benefits depend on your insurance policy.
Health insurance plans in Abu Dhabi can include cover for:
Hospitalisation
Surgery
GP consultations
Specialist consultations
Emergency medical treatment
Diagnostic tests and imaging
Prescription medication
Maternity care
Physiotherapy and rehabilitation
Dental care, depending on the policy
Optical care, depending on the policy
Medical evacuation and repatriation
Some policies provide access to a restricted local network, while others allow treatment at a much broader selection of private hospitals and healthcare providers.
When comparing medical insurance in Abu Dhabi, check both the overall annual benefit limit and any specific sub-limits applying to individual types of treatment.
The cost of healthcare in Abu Dhabi varies significantly according to the medical provider and type of treatment required.
Routine consultations may represent a relatively limited expense, while specialist care, diagnostic imaging, emergency treatment, surgery or hospitalisation can lead to much higher bills.
The cost of private treatment also varies between healthcare providers.
For this reason, choosing health insurance solely on the basis of its annual premium can be misleading.
When comparing Abu Dhabi health insurance plans, consider:
The maximum annual cover
Inpatient limits
Outpatient benefits
Your deductible
Your co-payment
Prescription drug benefits
Maternity cover
Your chosen hospital network
The geographical area covered
A policy with broader healthcare benefits can reduce your financial exposure if you require significant medical treatment.
Abu Dhabi has an extensive network of hospitals, specialist centres and private clinics.
The Emirate has invested significantly in developing its healthcare infrastructure and attracts both local and international healthcare providers.
When choosing an insurance plan, you should check whether your preferred hospitals and doctors belong to the insurer's direct billing network.
A direct billing or cashless network means that, for eligible treatment, the insurer can settle covered medical expenses directly with the healthcare provider, subject to your policy terms. This can reduce the amount you need to pay upfront.
If you regularly travel between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, it can also be useful to choose an insurance policy that gives you access to healthcare providers across the UAE rather than restricting you to a small local network.
The best health insurance in Abu Dhabi depends on your healthcare needs, budget, family circumstances and international lifestyle.
There is no single plan that will be suitable for every expatriate.
Before choosing your policy, consider the following questions.
Check the annual limit, hospital network, outpatient benefits and co-payments of the policy provided by your employer.
If having a broad choice of hospitals and specialists is important to you, check the insurer's medical network carefully.
If you travel regularly or return to your home country frequently, international geographical cover can be particularly useful.
Make sure your spouse and children have suitable cover and consider benefits such as maternity, paediatric, dental and optical care.
If your career involves international mobility, a portable international health insurance policy may provide greater continuity when moving between countries.
APRIL International specialises in health insurance for people living and working abroad.
For expatriates and residents in the UAE, MyHEALTH UAE provides flexible health insurance that can be adapted to different healthcare needs and budgets.
The plan allows each insured family member to select an appropriate level of cover.
MyHEALTH UAE can include:
Hospital and surgical treatment
Outpatient healthcare
Maternity benefits
Optional dental and optical benefits for Abu Dhabi policies
Cashless access to hospitals worldwide
Access to the MedNet direct billing network across the GCC
24/7 TeleHEALTH services
Second Medical Opinion services
Worldwide travel and medical assistance
Digital claims submission
Different levels of hospital and surgical cover are available, with annual limits of up to USD 5 million, depending on the selected level of cover.
For maternity, specific benefit levels apply to Abu Dhabi policies, with higher limits available according to the level of cover selected.
You can also choose a geographical area of cover suited to your international lifestyle.
Whether you are relocating for work, joining your family or already living in the capital, choosing appropriate health insurance in Abu Dhabi can help you access quality healthcare while protecting yourself against unexpected medical expenses.
APRIL International provides health insurance designed specifically for internationally mobile individuals and families.
With MyHEALTH UAE, you can benefit from:
Flexible levels of healthcare cover
A large international healthcare network
Direct billing in thousands of healthcare facilities
24/7 telehealth services
International medical assistance
Digital policy and claims management
Solutions adapted to expatriates and families living in Abu Dhabi
With international health insurance, you can combine access to healthcare in Abu Dhabi with protection suited to your life abroad.
It only takes a few steps to join and start benefitting from your international health insurance cover!
1. Find the cover that suits your situation from a range of options
2. Request a quote online and sign it electronically
3. Download the Easy Claim app and benefit from a wide range of features to help manage your plan with ease, wherever you are!
4. Get a call back or chat with one of our dedicated advisers at any time.
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