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Healthcare in United Arab Emirates: cost & waiting times
Mixed public / privateHealth insurance is compulsory for residents: employers must provide it in Dubai and Abu Dhabi (and across the UAE since 2025), with emirate health authorities (DHA in Dubai, DoH in Abu Dhabi, MOHAP elsewhere) regulating care. Emiratis are covered by government schemes such as Thiqa. Private hospitals and clinics are modern and widely used; you can usually see specialists directly.
Emergency number: Ambulance 998 · Police 999 · Fire 997
How residents get care
- Check your insurance network — Your insurance card lists the clinics and hospitals you can use directly (cash-free).
- Book a clinic or specialist — Book directly by phone or app; most insurance plans allow direct specialist access.
- Pay any co-payment — Many plans charge a co-payment per visit (often around 20%).
- Emergencies — Call 998 for an ambulance; hospital emergency departments must stabilise everyone.
Official waiting-time source
The UAE doesn't publish waiting times; private care is usually same-day or same-week.
No public waiting-time statistics ↗
Typical private costs
Typical self-pay prices — for an exact figure use the official links above or ask a clinic for a written quote.
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| GP consultation (private, uninsured) | AED 300–AED 600 |
| Specialist consultation (private) | AED 500–AED 1,000 |
| MRI (one area, private) | AED 2,000–AED 4,000 |
| Cataract surgery, per eye (private) | AED 12,000–AED 17,000 |
| Hip replacement (private) | AED 58,000–AED 75,000 |
Typical waits & prices by procedure
Typical averages for comparison, not quotes. Public care is free or nominal at the point of use unless noted. Private care has no standard queue — availability depends on the provider. Where an official statistic exists (UK, Ireland, Poland) the interactive guide shows it, dated and sourced.
| Procedure | Typical public wait | Typical private price |
|---|---|---|
| GP / primary-care appointment | ~2 days | AED 290–AED 580 |
| Specialist consultation (first) | ~36 days | AED 870–AED 1,500 |
| MRI scan (one area) | ~17 days | AED 1,700–AED 2,900 |
| CT scan | ~17 days | AED 1,900–AED 3,400 |
| Gastroscopy / endoscopy | ~25 days | AED 7,800–AED 12,000 |
| Cataract surgery (per eye) | ~50 days | AED 12,000–AED 17,000 |
| Knee arthroscopy | ~70 days | AED 22,000–AED 32,000 |
| Inguinal hernia repair | ~62 days | AED 15,000–AED 22,000 |
| Gallbladder removal | ~73 days | AED 27,000–AED 39,000 |
| Hip replacement | ~84 days | AED 58,000–AED 75,000 |
| Knee replacement | ~95 days | AED 63,000–AED 82,000 |
| Tonsillectomy | ~70 days | AED 15,000–AED 19,000 |
| Carpal tunnel release | ~67 days | AED 8,700–AED 13,000 |
| X-ray | ~6 days | AED 390–AED 730 |
| Ultrasound scan | ~11 days | AED 730–AED 1,400 |
| Echocardiogram | ~17 days | AED 1,200–AED 2,000 |
| Colonoscopy | ~28 days | AED 8,700–AED 14,000 |
| Coronary angiogram | ~17 days | AED 12,000–AED 18,000 |
| Varicose vein removal | ~56 days | AED 15,000–AED 22,000 |
| Lumbar disc surgery (discectomy) | ~76 days | AED 44,000–AED 63,000 |
| Rotator cuff repair (shoulder) | ~70 days | AED 32,000–AED 44,000 |
| Hysterectomy | ~56 days | AED 34,000–AED 51,000 |
| Vasectomy | ~28 days | AED 1,900–AED 3,400 |
| Bunion surgery | ~70 days | AED 19,000–AED 27,000 |
Prescriptions
Prescriptions are dispensed at pharmacies; insured patients pay a co-payment. Some medicines (including some painkillers, sedatives and ADHD medicines) are controlled — carry a prescription and check rules before travelling.
Dental care
Dental care is mostly private; basic insurance plans often exclude it.
Adult public dental cover: none — private only. Typical self-pay prices:
| Treatment | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Check-up + X-rays | AED 195–AED 435 |
| Scale & polish | AED 290–AED 580 |
| Filling | AED 435–AED 970 |
| Extraction | AED 435–AED 1,215 |
| Root canal | AED 1,455–AED 3,395 |
| Crown | AED 1,940–AED 4,365 |
| Implant (post only) | AED 5,820–AED 12,125 |
| Implant + crown | AED 9,700–AED 16,975 |
| Veneer (per tooth) | AED 1,940–AED 4,365 |
| Full denture (per arch) | AED 2,425–AED 5,820 |
Finding a doctor or specialist
Well-known hospital groups (listed, not vetted or ranked):
- Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi ↗
- Mediclinic Middle East ↗
- King's College Hospital London — Dubai ↗
- American Hospital Dubai ↗
Check a provider's inspection rating or registration with Dubai Health Authority ↗.
Health insurance
Insurers and schemes people in United Arab Emirates commonly use, and cover for visitors. Listed for comparison, not recommended — check the policy wording yourself.
| Insurer | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Daman — National Health Insurance Company ↗ | National / public scheme | Abu Dhabi's main health insurer, including the Thiqa scheme for Emiratis. |
| AXA Gulf (GIG Gulf) ↗ | Local health insurer | Health insurance. |
| Oman Insurance (Sukoon) ↗ | Local health insurer | Health insurance. |
| Bupa Global ↗ | International / expat cover | International health plans for expats. |
Visiting United Arab Emirates?
Your entitlement: None — no agreement with the UK and the GHIC isn't valid. Visitors pay, and hospitals may ask for a deposit or insurance guarantee.
EHIC / GHIC: EHIC/GHIC not valid.
Pharmacies: Pharmacies are everywhere, many open 24 hours. Check controlled-medicine rules before you travel.
Insurance: Travel insurance essential — private treatment is expensive.
Useful links
Open the full interactive guide, compare tool & tracker →Content last checked: 2026-10-02. Figures are typical/official-source references, not quotes — see the links above for the current real number.