TL;DR
Moving to Dubai? At WeCovr, an FCA-authorised broker that has arranged over 900,000 policies, we specialise in finding the right private medical insurance for UK citizens. This guide explains how to secure the best health cover for your new life in the United Arab Emirates.
Key takeaways
- GP Consultation: Can range from £70 to £150.
- A&E Visit: A simple visit for a minor injury could cost several hundred pounds.
- Hospital Stay (illustrative): A few nights in a private hospital for a procedure like an appendectomy can easily exceed £10,000.
- Annual Claim Limit (illustrative): Capped at AED 150,000 (around £32,000).
- Coverage Area: Primarily the Emirate of Dubai, with limited emergency cover in other Emirates.
Moving to Dubai? At WeCovr, an FCA-authorised broker that has arranged over 900,000 policies, we specialise in finding the right private medical insurance for UK citizens. This guide explains how to secure the best health cover for your new life in the United Arab Emirates.
Specialist cover for British expats in the UAE
The move from the UK to Dubai is an exciting adventure, filled with opportunities for career growth, sunshine, and a new lifestyle. However, one of the most critical parts of your relocation plan is securing the right health insurance. Unlike the UK, where the National Health Service (NHS) provides free care at the point of use, healthcare in Dubai is private and mandatory insurance is a legal requirement for all residents.
For the thousands of British expats who call Dubai home, navigating this system can be daunting. Standard UK private medical insurance (PMI) policies are not designed for long-term residency abroad. You need a specialist international health insurance plan that not only meets Dubai's legal requirements but also provides the comprehensive protection you and your family are used to.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about private health insurance for UK expats in Dubai, from understanding the local laws to choosing a policy that fits your needs and budget.
Why UK Expats in Dubai Need Specialist Health Insurance
Relying on a basic, employer-provided plan or assuming your UK cover will work can be a costly mistake. The healthcare landscape in Dubai is fundamentally different from the UK's.
1. It's the Law Since 2014, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has made it mandatory for all residents, including expats and their dependents, to have health insurance. Your residency visa is directly linked to you having a compliant health insurance policy. Without it, you cannot legally live and work in Dubai. Fines for non-compliance are steep and are charged monthly.
2. The High Cost of Healthcare The quality of healthcare in Dubai is exceptionally high, with state-of-the-art facilities and internationally trained medical staff. However, this quality comes at a significant cost. Without adequate insurance, even a minor medical issue can lead to substantial bills.
- GP Consultation: Can range from £70 to £150.
- A&E Visit: A simple visit for a minor injury could cost several hundred pounds.
- Hospital Stay (illustrative): A few nights in a private hospital for a procedure like an appendectomy can easily exceed £10,000.
A comprehensive international health plan protects you from these potentially crippling out-of-pocket expenses.
3. Standard UK PMI Won't Cover You Your domestic private medical insurance UK policy is designed for UK residents. While it might offer limited emergency cover for short holidays (typically up to 30 or 60 days), it is not valid for someone who is a resident in another country. To be properly protected as an expat, you need a dedicated international policy.
Understanding the Dubai Health Insurance System
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) regulates the local insurance market. All policies sold must meet certain minimum standards.
The Essential Benefits Plan (EBP)
For lower-income workers, employers must provide at least an Essential Benefits Plan (EBP). This is the most basic level of cover mandated by law.
- Annual Claim Limit (illustrative): Capped at AED 150,000 (around £32,000).
- Coverage Area: Primarily the Emirate of Dubai, with limited emergency cover in other Emirates.
- Pre-existing Conditions: Covered, but only after an initial 6-month waiting period.
- Co-payments: You typically have to pay a percentage of the cost for consultations and treatments (e.g., 20%).
While an EBP meets the legal minimum, it is often insufficient for British expats who are accustomed to more comprehensive care. The annual limit can be quickly exhausted by a single serious illness or accident.
Comprehensive vs. Basic Cover: What's the Difference?
Most professionals and their families will want a plan that goes far beyond the EBP. This is where international private medical insurance comes in.
| Feature | Basic Employer Plan (EBP) | Comprehensive International PMI |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Limit | Capped at ~£32,000 | £1,000,000+ (often unlimited) |
| Geographic Cover | Dubai only (limited elsewhere) | Worldwide or Worldwide excluding USA |
| Hospital Network | Limited network of basic clinics/hospitals | Extensive network including premium hospitals |
| Out-patient Care | Basic cover with co-payments | Full cover for specialists, diagnostics, physio |
| Dental & Optical | Not usually included | Can be added as an optional benefit |
| Repatriation | Not included | Included as a standard or optional benefit |
| Direct Billing | Limited to network | Widespread 'cashless' access to care |
For many expats, their employer's plan serves as a starting point. They then choose to "top up" this cover with a more robust personal policy, or their employer offers a comprehensive international plan as part of their employment package. An expert broker like WeCovr can help you assess your employer's plan and find the perfect top-up policy.
What Does International Private Health Insurance Cover?
A good international PMI policy is modular, allowing you to build the cover that's right for you. It typically starts with a core plan and allows you to add optional benefits.
Core In-patient and Day-patient Cover
This is the foundation of any health insurance policy and is non-negotiable. It covers you for treatment that requires a hospital bed.
- Hospital accommodation in a private room.
- Surgeon, anaesthetist, and physician fees.
- Diagnostic tests, such as MRIs, CT scans, and blood tests, related to your hospital stay.
- Prescription drugs and dressings during your stay.
- Intensive care unit (ICU) costs.
- Cancer treatment, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery.
Out-patient Cover
This is one of the most valuable parts of a comprehensive plan, covering medical care that doesn’t require a hospital bed.
- GP and specialist consultations.
- Physiotherapy, chiropractic, and osteopathy.
- Diagnostic tests not related to a hospital stay.
- Prescription medications.
- Mental health support, including consultations with psychologists and psychiatrists.
Essential Expat Benefits
International plans include features specifically designed for people living abroad.
- Medical Evacuation: If the required specialist treatment isn't available locally in Dubai, this covers the cost of transporting you to the nearest centre of medical excellence (e.g., in Germany or the UK).
- Repatriation: This covers the cost of returning you to your home country (the UK) for treatment or, in the worst-case scenario, compassionate repatriation.
- 24/7 Multilingual Helpline: Invaluable for getting advice and authorisations, especially when you're in a stressful medical situation.
Popular Optional Add-ons
- Dental and Optical: Covers routine check-ups, fillings, and major restorative work (crowns, bridges), as well as eye tests and contributions towards glasses or contact lenses.
- Maternity Cover: If you plan on starting or expanding your family, this is essential. It covers pre-natal care, delivery costs, and post-natal check-ups. Note that there is usually a waiting period of 10-12 months before you can claim maternity benefits, so you need to add this to your policy well in advance.
- Wellness and Preventative Care: Many modern policies now include benefits that help you stay healthy, such as:
- Annual health check-ups and screenings.
- Vaccinations.
- Contributions towards gym memberships or wellness apps.
At WeCovr, we believe in proactive health. That's why clients who purchase private health or life insurance through us receive complimentary access to CalorieHero, our AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app, to help them manage their health goals.
The Critical Rule: Pre-existing and Chronic Conditions
This is one of the most misunderstood areas of private medical insurance. It's vital to be clear on this point:
Standard international and UK private medical insurance is designed to cover acute conditions that arise after you take out the policy.
- An acute condition is a disease, illness, or injury that is likely to respond quickly to treatment and lead to a full recovery (e.g., a broken bone, appendicitis, pneumonia).
- A chronic condition is a disease, illness, or injury that has one or more of the following characteristics: it needs ongoing or long-term monitoring, it has no known cure, it is likely to recur, or it requires palliative care (e.g., diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, arthritis).
Private insurance does not typically cover the routine management of chronic conditions. Likewise, pre-existing conditions – any ailment you knew about, had symptoms of, or received treatment for before your policy began – are also generally excluded.
How Insurers Handle Pre-existing Conditions
When you apply, you will choose an underwriting method which determines how the insurer treats your medical history.
- Moratorium Underwriting: This is the most common and straightforward option. You don't declare your full medical history upfront. Instead, the insurer applies a blanket exclusion for any condition you've had in the past few years (usually 5). This exclusion can be lifted if you go for a set period (usually 2 years) without any symptoms, treatment, or advice for that condition after your policy starts.
- Full Medical Underwriting (FMU): With FMU, you provide your complete medical history on the application form. The insurer's underwriting team then reviews it and decides whether to:
- Cover you in full.
- Exclude specific conditions permanently.
- Charge a higher premium to cover certain conditions.
FMU provides certainty from day one about what is and isn't covered, whereas a moratorium can lead to uncertainty when you make a claim. A PMI broker can help you decide which option is best for your circumstances.
How Much Does Expat Health Insurance in Dubai Cost?
The cost of your premium is influenced by several key factors. Understanding these will help you tailor a policy to your budget.
| Factor | Impact on Premium | How to Manage Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Age | The older you are, the higher the premium. This is the most significant factor. | You cannot change your age, but buying a policy when you are younger is cheaper. |
| Level of Cover | Comprehensive plans with high limits and many add-ons cost more. | Choose only the add-ons you truly need. For example, if you don't plan on having children, you don't need maternity cover. |
| Area of Cover | 'Worldwide' is the most expensive. 'Worldwide excluding USA' is a popular, more affordable option. | If you don't travel to the USA frequently, choosing a plan that excludes it can save you 30-40%. |
| Excess (Deductible) | This is the amount you agree to pay towards a claim. A higher excess lowers your premium. | Choosing a modest excess (£250 or £500) can make your premium much more affordable without exposing you to huge costs. |
| Hospital Network | Plans with access to the most premium hospitals are more expensive. | Opt for a plan with a wide but standard network of excellent hospitals if you don't need access to the most exclusive facilities. |
Illustrative Monthly Premiums for UK Expats in Dubai
These are example costs for a comprehensive international plan with out-patient cover and a £250 excess, excluding the USA. Prices are for illustrative purposes and will vary between insurers.
| Profile | Age | Estimated Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Single Professional | 30 | £120 - £180 |
| Couple | 40 | £350 - £500 |
| Family (2 adults, 2 children) | 45 & 42 | £600 - £950 |
Working with an independent broker ensures you get a true market comparison to find the best value.
How WeCovr Helps You Find the Best Cover
Choosing the right international health insurance can feel overwhelming. As an FCA-authorised broker with deep expertise in the UK and expat insurance markets, WeCovr simplifies the process for you. Our clients regularly give us high satisfaction ratings for our expert, friendly service.
Why use WeCovr?
- Expert Advice: We understand the nuances of the Dubai market and the needs of British expats. We'll help you decode the jargon and compare policies like-for-like.
- Market Comparison: We work with a wide panel of the world's leading international insurers, including Bupa Global, Cigna Global, Aetna, and Allianz, to find you the best private health cover at a competitive price.
- No Extra Cost: Our service is completely free to you. We are paid a commission by the insurer you choose, so you get expert, impartial advice without paying a penny more.
- Added Value: On top of finding you the right policy, we offer discounts on other insurance products, like life or travel insurance, when you become a client.
Our goal is to ensure you have peace of mind, knowing you have robust and reliable health protection for your new life in Dubai.
Living Well in Dubai: Health and Wellness Tips
Your insurance is your safety net, but the best approach is to stay healthy. Living in Dubai presents unique environmental factors to consider.
- Stay Hydrated: The desert climate means dehydration is a constant risk. The UK government advises drinking plenty of water throughout the day, even if you don't feel thirsty. Avoid excessive caffeine and sugary drinks.
- Sun Protection: The sun is intense year-round. Always use a high-SPF sunscreen (SPF 30+), wear a hat, and seek shade during the peak hours of 11 am to 3 pm.
- Embrace Indoor Activities: In the scorching summer months, take advantage of Dubai's world-class indoor facilities. From indoor ski slopes and ice rinks to vast gyms and fitness studios, there are plenty of ways to stay active away from the heat.
- Healthy Diet: Explore the incredible variety of fresh food available. Focus on a Mediterranean-style diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats, which is well-suited to the climate.
- Manage Your Sleep: Adjusting to a new routine and climate can disrupt sleep. Ensure your bedroom is cool, dark, and quiet. A consistent sleep schedule is vital for your immune system and mental well-being.
Is health insurance mandatory in Dubai for British expats?
Will my employer's health insurance plan be enough?
Can I get cover for my pre-existing conditions in Dubai?
What is the difference between medical evacuation and repatriation?
Ready to secure your peace of mind for your move to Dubai? The team of experts at WeCovr is here to help. We'll take the time to understand your needs and compare the best private medical insurance UK expat plans for you, all at no cost.
Get your free, no-obligation quote today and ensure you're protected from day one.
Sources
- Office for National Statistics (ONS): Mortality, earnings, and household statistics.
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA): Insurance and consumer protection guidance.
- Association of British Insurers (ABI): Life insurance and protection market publications.
- HMRC: Tax treatment guidance for relevant protection and benefits products.











