Is Health Insurance Mandatory for Newborns in the UAE? A 2025 Guide for Parents

Introduction Not only a money safety net in the United Arab Emirates, health insurance is a mandate by law in most emirates, particularly Dubai and Abu Dhabi. While popular among adults and working professionals alike, new parents question whether newborns need health insurance in the UAE.

The answer is yes. Newborns are statutorily required to have health insurance coverage shortly after birth. The article analyzes the law, grace periods, process, and best practices of obtaining a newborn's health insurance in the UAE in 2025.

UAE Law on Health Insurance for Newborns

Health insurance is mandatory for all UAE residents, including newborns. The responsibility of obtaining coverage falls on the parents or legal guardian.

Dubai Health Authority (DHA) Regulations In Dubai, residents are also mandated to be insured, including infants. The sponsor, who is usually the father, is legally bound to obtain the infant an insurance policy within 30 days of birth. Not doing it within the stipulated time frame can result in a penalty for the sponsor as well as denial of obtaining a residency visa or Emirates ID for the child.

Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DOH) Guidelines In Abu Dhabi, the health insurance mandate is also strict. Newborns must be insured immediately, either under a private policy for expats or under the Thiqa scheme for Emiratis. The child must already have coverage before obtaining residency documents or government healthcare benefits.

Timeline for Adding a Newborn to Health Insurance The majority of insurance companies and authorities provide a 30-day grace period since birth. The newborn baby would, under normal circumstances, be covered by the maternity insurance cover of the mother within this time. This protection is not full and does not compensate for the need of a special health insurance policy.

By day 30, the baby must have an insurance policy in his or her name or be added as a dependent on a parent's plan. Waiting too long can result in legal issues and monetary penalties.

Why Early Insurance is Necessary

Delaying too long to arrange insurance can result in having to deal with many issues:

The baby will not be able to obtain a residency visa or Emirates ID

Denied access to affordable health care or government health plans

Paid-out-of-pocket for regular checkups, vaccinations, and hospitalizations

Penalty fees or fines for failing to comply with UAE regulations

Most importantly, any subsequent health issue that arises after the 30-day grace period can be expensive if the baby is not insured.

What Does Newborn Health Insurance Generally Cover? While the scope of coverage differs according to the provider and type of plan, the majority of newborn health insurance policies in the UAE cover:

Periodic pediatric visits and health check-ups

Vaccinations as per Ministry of Health schedule

Emergency health care

Hospitalization and surgery

Diagnostic workups and prescriptions

Follow-ups with specialists in the field of pediatrics

Some policies also provide partial coverage for congenital disorders, provided that the policy is applied in time. Always ensure this point during plan selection.

How to Get Health Insurance for Your Newborn

Step 1: Check Existing Parental Coverage Start by reading your own health insurance policy. If you are employed, ask your HR department whether your employer-sponsored plan covers dependents and how much additional it would be to include a newborn. If your current policy does not cover dependents, or if you are self-employed, you would have to purchase a separate policy.

Step 2: Choose a Usable Provider Some insurers in the UAE provide specific child or family health insurance policies. Some popular, trusted options in 2025 are:

Shory – Most convenient for instant online comparison and purchasing

Daman – Government-subsidiary, popular in Abu Dhabi

Orient Insurance – Low-end and high-end plans with DHA registration

Oman Insurance – Wide network of hospitals and online claim submission

ADNIC – Family-oriented plans with extensive outpatient coverage

Use a reliable aggregator like Shory to contrast the policies based on coverage, premium, and hospital network.

Step 3: Collect the Documents Required In order to purchase a health insurance policy for your infant, you will typically need:

Copy of the baby's birth certificate

Copy of the baby's passport (if applicable)

Parent's Emirates ID and visa page

Updated insurance particulars of the policyholder (in case of adding as dependent)

Step 4: Purchase and Activate the Policy After choosing a plan, fill out the application and payment process. The majority of providers turn on coverage in 24 to 72 hours. Make certain to get confirmation prior to the 30-day limit.

Newborn Health Insurance Cost in the UAE Fees for newborn insurance in 2025 differ by provider, type of coverage, and location. Here's an overview in general:

Basic plans: AED 750 to AED 1,500 per year. These meet DHA/DOH minimum requirements and are best for healthy newborns with no anticipated complications.

Mid-range plans: AED 2,000 to AED 3,500. These include outpatient services, better hospital coverage, and broader doctor networks.

Premium plans: AED 4,000 and more. These include congenital conditions, private hospitals, and specialty pediatric services.

When shopping for insurance, don't just look at the price—see what's included. A cheaper policy may leave out required services or limit your visits to hospitals.

Frequent Questions about Newborn Insurance in the UAE Will my baby be insured by my insurance within the first month? Most companies provide 30-day temporary insurance under the mother's maternity policy. However, this is limited and should not be used as a replacement for freestanding insurance for the baby.

Can I add my newborn to my employer's group health insurance? Maybe. It will be up to your company's policy. Some companies cover dependents but may have additional premiums or forms.

What if I'm late more than 30 days? Your infant can be denied medical services and visa processing until coverage is initiated. You'll be required to pay for any medical treatment received out of pocket while uninsured.

Do all the Emirates have the same newborn health insurance laws? Dubai and Abu Dhabi strictly enforce. Other emirates are gradually falling into line with similar standards. It's always preferable to conform wherever you happen to be.

Final Thoughts If you are giving birth in the UAE, arranging for your newborn health insurance should be a priority. It is not only the law, but it gives your child an instant right to vital medical treatment.

Start the process pre-birth, if possible. Use platforms like Shory to easily compare options and start coverage within the time frame necessary. In doing so, you protect your newborn, avoid penalties, and stay within UAE residency regulations.