Starting in 2025, all private-sector employers in the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) will be required to provide health insurance coverage to their foreign employees, extending a mandate already in place in Abu Dhabi and Dubai to the remaining five emirates. In Abu Dhabi, employers must also cover dependents, and Emirati citizens in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai have access to comprehensive government-funded health insurance through the Thiqa and Enaya programs, respectively.
While the Cabinet’s announcement did not include specific details such as minimum benefits, eligibility criteria, dependent coverage, or potential phased implementation based on employer size, these are expected to be clarified in forthcoming regulations. The new rules are anticipated to be similar to those in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, where proof of health insurance is required for foreign employees to receive or renew employment visas and work permits.
This extension of mandatory health insurance across all emirates is a significant step toward achieving universal health coverage in the U.A.E.. It is likely to expand the health insurance market, especially since roughly one-third of the U.A.E. population resides in the five emirates where the mandate will now apply. However, it is noteworthy that a majority of companies (96%) already provide supplemental healthcare benefits to their employees and their dependents, often at no cost to the employee.
Employers should keep a close watch on the upcoming regulations to ensure compliance and may need to assess their current healthcare coverage for employees outside of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. This development underscores the U.A.E.’s ongoing efforts to enhance healthcare access and quality for its diverse population.
