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Moving to Sharjah to live or work? Having suitable health insurance in Sharjah is essential for accessing healthcare and protecting yourself against potentially significant medical expenses.
Since 1 January 2025, health insurance has also become mandatory for private sector employees and domestic workers in Sharjah under the UAE Basic Health Insurance Scheme. Employers must provide the required insurance when issuing or renewing an eligible employee's residence permit.
For expatriates, however, basic local cover may not always provide the level of protection they are looking for, particularly if they want greater access to private healthcare or medical cover outside the UAE.
Yes. Health insurance is mandatory in Sharjah for private sector employees and domestic workers covered by the UAE Basic Health Insurance Scheme.
The requirement came into effect on 1 January 2025 and applies when an eligible residence permit is issued or renewed. Employers are responsible for the cost of this mandatory insurance.
The scheme was introduced across Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain, extending mandatory employee health insurance across all seven Emirates.
The basic package provides inpatient and outpatient healthcare as well as medication benefits, subject to policy limits and co payments. The government basic insurance package is currently priced at AED 320 per year.
For expatriates looking for more extensive healthcare protection, it can therefore be useful to compare the mandatory basic cover with more comprehensive private or international health insurance.
Sharjah is part of the United Arab Emirates healthcare system and offers access to both public and private hospitals, clinics and specialist medical facilities.
UAE nationals benefit from public healthcare arrangements, while expatriates generally rely more heavily on health insurance and private healthcare providers.
Sharjah has developed a substantial private healthcare sector, including hospitals, specialist clinics, diagnostic centres, pharmacies and rehabilitation facilities.
The Emirate is also home to Sharjah Healthcare City, a dedicated healthcare free zone created to support hospitals, medical centres, laboratories, rehabilitation facilities and other healthcare providers.
Private healthcare can offer expatriates a broad choice of doctors and specialists. However, consultations, diagnostic tests, hospital stays and surgery can represent significant expenses if they are not adequately covered by health insurance.
When choosing health insurance in Sharjah, the first step is to determine whether you only need to satisfy local insurance requirements or whether you want more comprehensive healthcare protection.
Basic local health insurance usually focuses on treatment provided through a defined network within the UAE and may include benefit limits, co payments and restrictions on the medical facilities you can use.
Before choosing a plan, check:
Annual reimbursement limits
Hospital and clinic networks
Hospitalisation benefits
Outpatient consultations
Diagnostic tests and medical imaging
Prescription medication
Deductibles and co payments
Maternity benefits, where required
Dental and optical benefits
Cover outside the UAE
Emergency assistance and repatriation
For expatriates who travel frequently, have family members living in different countries or may relocate again in the future, international health insurance in Sharjah can provide broader protection than a local only policy.
The right choice depends on your situation.
Local health insurance can be appropriate if your priority is accessing healthcare within the UAE and complying with local requirements.
International health insurance is designed for people whose lives extend beyond one country. Depending on the plan selected, it can provide access to a wider medical network, higher benefit limits and healthcare cover in multiple countries.
International health insurance may therefore be particularly relevant if you:
Live in Sharjah but regularly travel abroad
Want access to private healthcare
Would like the option to receive treatment outside the UAE
Are moving to Sharjah with your family
Regularly travel between Sharjah and Dubai
Expect to relocate to another country in the future
When comparing policies, always check the geographical area of cover and the precise terms, limits and exclusions of the plan.
The benefits depend on the policy you choose.
Under the UAE Basic Health Insurance Scheme, eligible workers receive cover for inpatient and outpatient treatment and medication, with specified co payments and annual limits.
More comprehensive medical insurance in Sharjah can offer additional protection depending on the selected policy, including:
Hospitalisation and surgery
GP consultations
Specialist consultations
Diagnostic tests and scans
Prescription medication
Emergency treatment
Maternity care
Medical evacuation and repatriation
Telehealth services
Treatment abroad
This is why it is important to compare not only the price of health insurance but also the benefits provided, annual limits, medical network and geographical coverage.
The cost of healthcare in Sharjah depends on the healthcare provider, the type of treatment and whether you choose a public or private medical facility.
Routine consultations may be relatively affordable, but costs can increase considerably for specialist treatment, medical imaging, emergency care, surgery or hospitalisation.
Private healthcare is widely used by expatriates in the UAE, making the level of reimbursement offered by your insurance particularly important.
When comparing Sharjah health insurance plans, consider the potential cost of major medical treatment rather than focusing only on the monthly or annual insurance premium.
A policy with broader hospitalisation benefits and a suitable annual limit can significantly reduce your financial exposure if you require expensive treatment.
Sharjah has a wide range of hospitals, clinics and medical centres offering general and specialist healthcare.
The Emirate is also home to Sharjah Healthcare City, which brings together different types of healthcare facilities, including clinics, laboratories, specialist centres, pharmacies and wellness providers.
For expatriates living in Sharjah, location can also influence the choice of insurance network. Sharjah borders Dubai, and many residents regularly move between the two Emirates for work, leisure and healthcare.
If this applies to you, check whether your health insurance gives you access to suitable hospitals and clinics in both Sharjah and Dubai, rather than considering Sharjah providers alone.
A broad direct billing network can also reduce the need to pay substantial medical bills upfront and claim reimbursement afterwards.
The best health insurance in Sharjah depends on your healthcare needs, budget, family situation and the countries in which you want to be covered.
There is therefore no single policy that is best for every expatriate.
Before choosing your health insurance, ask yourself:
Do I only need healthcare in the UAE?
A local plan may be sufficient if you mainly need treatment in Sharjah and elsewhere in the Emirates.
Do I want private healthcare?
Check the hospitals, clinics and specialists included in your insurance network.
Do I travel regularly?
International cover can be useful if you want healthcare protection when spending time outside the UAE.
Am I moving with my family?
Look at the benefits each family member may need, including outpatient, maternity, dental and optical care.
Could I relocate again?
A portable international policy can make it easier to maintain healthcare protection when moving from one country to another, subject to the terms of the insurer.
APRIL International specialises in health insurance for people living and working abroad.
For people living in the UAE, MyHEALTH UAE provides flexible international health insurance designed to adapt to different healthcare needs and budgets.
MyHEALTH UAE provides access to services and benefits including:
Hospital and surgical cover
Outpatient healthcare
Maternity benefits
Dental and optical benefits
Cashless access to hospitals worldwide
Access to the MedNet direct billing network in the GCC
24/7 TeleHEALTH services
Worldwide travel and medical assistance
100% digital claims submission
Policyholders can choose between Worldwide and Worldwide excluding the USA geographical areas of cover.
MyHEALTH UAE is also designed with international mobility in mind. If your country of residence changes in the future, portability options may allow you to continue your healthcare protection, subject to the applicable policy conditions.
Whether you are moving to Sharjah for a new job, relocating with your family or already living in the UAE, choosing the right health insurance in Sharjah can help you access appropriate healthcare while protecting yourself against unexpected medical costs.
Reimbursement of eligible healthcare expenses, including treatment in private hospitals
International healthcare coverage according to the geographical area selected
Optional dental and optical cover
24/7 telehealth services
Medical evacuation and repatriation assistance
Cashless hospital access within available healthcare networks
Digital services to manage your healthcare and claims
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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