Healthcare and health insurance in Dubai

• Employees are covered by their employer's policy.
• Family members you sponsor need cover too. Check whether your employer includes them or whether you need to buy it: does employer insurance cover family?.
• Between arrival and your resident policy, check if you need temporary cover.

Start here: health insurance in Dubai.

Your card lists a network: the clinics, hospitals and pharmacies where you can use direct billing. Outside the network you may pay and claim back, or not be covered at all. Check before you book: which clinics does your insurance cover?.

Choose a clinic near your new home that's in your network, register before you need it, and ask about same-day appointments and out-of-hours cover for children. See find a doctor or dentist.

• Medical and vaccination records, translated if needed: records to bring.
• Prescriptions and a doctor's letter for any medication. Some medicines are controlled in the UAE and need approval before you travel: bringing medication into the UAE.
• Details of any ongoing treatment, so your new doctor can continue it: continuing treatment.

For urgent but non-emergency issues, use an urgent care clinic in your network. More: urgent medical care in Dubai.

Health cover doesn't protect your belongings. Consider home contents insurance, especially in the first year when you've just bought furniture.

Your free move-in checklist puts Ejari, DEWA, cooling, gas, internet and your move-in permit in the right order for your building. Start with what to do after signing.