Dubai Introduces Compulsory Health Insurance

Health insurance has been made mandatory for all the residents in Dubai, under a new law passed on Tuesday.

The long-awaited Health Insurance Law, endorsed by Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, stipulates that it is the responsibility of employers to provide all their employees with health insurance schemes.

The law ensures better healthcare for Emiratis, expatriate residents and visitors and will strengthen “the competitive status of Dubai locally, regionally and internationally,” said Eng. Eisa Al Maidoor, director General of Dubai Health Authority.

The law comes into effect next year, and it is expected to take three years for the emirate’s entire population to be covered. Currently, only a third of the city’s population of three million is insured.

Once implemented, residency visas will not be granted unless applicants have a valid health insurance.

While employers have to provide insurance covers for their workers, the government will be responsible for the health insurance costs for nationals. Spouses and children of residents must be insured by their sponsors.

The law also requires visitors to apply for a health insurance to cover emergencies.

Violators of the law will be fined a minimum of Dhs500, going up to a maximum of Dhs150,000, while repeat offenders may face fines of up to Dhs500,000.