Chapter 12 · 9 min read
Healthcare & insurance
Coverage, networks, gaps

Healthcare & insurance

How healthcare actually works for expats — mandatory insurance, what employer plans cover, dependents, maternity, and the gaps to plug yourself.

Overview

Every resident must have approved health insurance. Employers are legally required to provide basic coverage for employees — but if you're sponsoring family members, you arrange (and pay for) their insurance yourself.

Most expats use private hospitals because their insurance covers them. American Hospital, Mediclinic, Saudi German and King's College Hospital Dubai are common picks. Public hospitals (DHA) are subsidised for nationals; expats need a separate health card.

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