Mandatory under Health Insurance Law No. (11) of 2013. Employer obligation. Essential Benefits Plan (EBP) for workers earning below AED 4,000 per month. Compare networks, limits and co-pays.
Every Dubai employer must provide health insurance for all employees and their dependants under Health Insurance Law No. (11) of 2013, administered by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). Workers earning below AED 4,000 per month qualify for the Essential Benefits Plan (EBP), with an annual coverage limit of AED 150,000 and a 20% co-payment. Employers may not deduct the cost from an employee's salary. The mandate has been fully enforced since 2016.
| Law | Health Insurance Law of Dubai No. (11) of 2013 |
| Administered by | Dubai Health Authority (DHA) / Dubai Health Insurance Corporation (DHIC) |
| Fully enforced from | January 2016 (all employer categories) |
| Who must be covered | All employees and their dependants (spouse, children) |
| Who pays | Employer or sponsor; may not deduct premium from employee salary |
| EBP salary threshold | Workers earning below AED 4,000 per month |
| EBP annual coverage limit | AED 150,000 per year |
| EBP co-payment | 20% (patient pays 20% of each bill) |
| EBP employee premium band | AED 650–725 per year (2024–2025 DHA-set band; revised annually) |
| Non-compliance penalty | Fines; new work permit applications may be blocked |
| Data verified | 11 Jun 2026 |
Sources: Health Insurance Law of Dubai No. (11) of 2013; DHA at dha.gov.ae; EBP premium band from Pacific Prime AE citing DHA, 2024–2025 (subject to annual revision by DHA). Verified 11 Jun 2026. Always confirm the current EBP premium band directly with the DHA or a licensed insurer before citing a specific figure.
The EBP is the minimum compliant plan for lower-income workers in Dubai. It is the floor, not the ceiling.
Employees earning below AED 4,000 per month must be covered on at least the EBP. Higher earners receive a more comprehensive plan at the employer's discretion. The DHA may revise the salary threshold; check the current figure before assigning new starters to a plan.
The EBP includes inpatient, outpatient, GP and specialist visits, emergency treatment and ambulance, with an annual aggregate limit of AED 150,000. A 20% co-payment applies on each bill. Maternity is included to a defined sub-limit.
The DHA sets the allowable premium band for the EBP each year. For 2024–2025, the band was AED 650–725 per year for employees (Pacific Prime AE citing DHA; subject to annual revision). The employer pays in full; deducting the premium from an employee's salary violates the law.
The EBP is a compliance minimum. Enhanced plans add cover that matters for residents and families.
| What it includes | EBP (minimum) | Enhanced plan |
|---|---|---|
| GP and specialist visits | Covered | Covered |
| Inpatient and emergency | Covered | Covered |
| Annual coverage limit | AED 150,000 | Higher |
| Co-payment | 20% | Varies by plan |
| Provider network size | Smaller | Wider |
| Maternity benefit | Sub-limit included | Higher limit |
| Dental and optical | Not included | Optional add-on |
| Cover outside the UAE | Limited | Optional add-on |
Typical positions. Actual benefits, limits and co-pays are set per plan. Always read the plan's table of benefits. EBP minimum cover defined by DHA; verified 11 Jun 2026.
All listed insurers hold CBUAE licences and DHA approval to issue health plans in Dubai. Plans and networks vary.
Yes. Health Insurance Law of Dubai No. (11) of 2013, administered by the DHA and Dubai Health Insurance Corporation (DHIC), makes health insurance mandatory for all residents in Dubai. Employers and sponsors carry the obligation. The mandate was phased in fully by January 2016 and covers all employer categories.
The employer or sponsor pays the full health insurance premium for the employee. Deducting the premium from an employee's salary is not permitted under Dubai's health insurance law. Dependant cover (spouse, children, domestic workers) may be the employee's responsibility; check your contract and the DHA rules for the current position.
The Essential Benefits Plan (EBP) is the DHA-mandated minimum health plan for workers earning below AED 4,000 per month. It carries an annual coverage limit of AED 150,000 and a 20% co-payment. The DHA sets the allowable premium band each year; for 2024–2025 the employee band was AED 650–725 per year, subject to annual revision. Employers cannot charge employees for the EBP.
Yes. The EBP is a floor, not a ceiling. Employers can and do offer enhanced plans with higher annual limits, wider networks, lower co-payments, dental and optical cover and overseas emergency treatment. Many employees on sponsored visas pay a top-up contribution to move to an enhanced plan. Compare the table of benefits rather than the headline price.
The DHA mandate sets a floor. Compare networks, annual limits and co-pays to find the best plan above the minimum.
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