If you employ a maid, nanny, private driver, cook, or gardener in the UAE, providing them with health insurance is not optional — it is a legal obligation. Under the UAE’s Domestic Workers Law, every employer must arrange valid medical cover for their domestic staff before their visa is issued or renewed. Yet many households in Ajman, Dubai, and across the country remain unaware of exactly what is required, who pays, and what happens if the rule is not followed.
This guide explains everything you need to know about medical insurance for domestic workers in the UAE — from the legal framework and emirate-specific rules to how to choose the right plan and get a quote quickly. GS Insurance Services is a sales intermediary. Every policy is issued and underwritten by a licensed UAE insurance company.
Who Counts as a Domestic Worker in the UAE?
The UAE defines domestic workers broadly. If a person works inside a private household and is sponsored on a domestic visa, they fall under this category. Common roles include housemaids and housekeepers, live-in nannies and babysitters, private drivers, cooks and personal chefs, gardeners and groundskeepers, and personal nurses or caregivers for elderly family members.
Part-Time and Temporary Workers
Part-time domestic workers who work for multiple employers on a single visa (sometimes called “tasheel” arrangements) are increasingly common. The insurance obligation follows the visa sponsor. If you are the sponsoring employer, the responsibility rests with you, regardless of how many households the worker serves. For workers brought in under an agency arrangement, check your contract carefully to confirm who carries the insurance obligation.
Is Medical Insurance for Domestic Workers Mandatory in the UAE?
Yes. Under Federal Law No. 10 of 2017 on Domestic Workers, employers are legally required to provide health insurance coverage for all domestic staff throughout the duration of their employment. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) has also confirmed that a valid health insurance policy is a prerequisite for the issuance and renewal of domestic worker work permits and residence visas.
In July 2026, MOHRE issued fresh guidance integrating this requirement directly into the automated work permit renewal system. The ministry stressed that the guidance does not introduce new obligations — it simply makes the enforcement process more seamless. In practice, this means that if your domestic worker’s health insurance lapses, their permit renewal will be blocked automatically. You can read the official framework on the MOHRE website.
Dubai
In Dubai, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) regulates health insurance for residents, including domestic workers. Domestic helpers whose monthly salary falls below AED 4,000 must be enrolled in the Essential Benefits Plan (EBP) — the minimum standard set by the DHA. The EBP covers a defined set of outpatient and inpatient services. One important detail: treatment for chronic and pre-existing conditions is excluded for the first six months of cover, after which it is included.
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi’s health insurance framework is overseen by the Department of Health (DOH). From 1 January 2025, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) extended the mandatory health insurance requirement to domestic workers in Abu Dhabi and the other emirates not covered by Dubai or Abu Dhabi’s own schemes. If you employ a domestic worker in Abu Dhabi, the minimum cover level required is set by the DOH and must be purchased from a licensed insurer.
Ajman, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and the Northern Emirates
In the northern emirates, the national MOHAP framework applies. Since domestic worker health insurance links directly to the MOHRE work permit system, the requirement is equally binding regardless of which emirate the employer resides in. Contact GS Insurance Services if you are based in Ajman or the northern emirates and need guidance on which plan meets the current requirements for your visa category.
Who Pays for the Domestic Worker’s Health Insurance?
The employer pays — in full. The Domestic Workers Law is unambiguous on this point: no deduction from the worker’s salary is permitted to cover health insurance costs. The premium is entirely the employer’s expense. This applies equally whether you are purchasing a standalone domestic worker plan or adding the worker to a group health policy.
Employers should also bear in mind that the insurance must be active from the beginning of employment, not arranged after the worker arrives. Trying to backdate a policy or arrange cover only at renewal time leaves both you and your domestic worker exposed to a gap in protection.
What Does Domestic Worker Health Insurance Cover?
At the minimum EBP level in Dubai, a domestic worker health plan typically covers outpatient consultations and prescribed medicines, emergency treatment, inpatient and day-care surgery, maternity benefits (subject to conditions and waiting periods), and laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging ordered by a covered doctor.
Employers who want better protection for their workers — or who want to avoid any risk of a denied claim — can opt for plans that sit above the minimum. An enhanced plan may cover a broader network of hospitals, shorter waiting periods for pre-existing conditions, and higher annual limits. Our guide to the best medical insurance in the UAE explains how to compare plans across these dimensions. You can also explore our health insurance service page for more information on what GS Insurance can arrange for you.
How to Get Medical Insurance for Your Domestic Worker
Documents You Will Need
To purchase a domestic worker health insurance policy, you will generally need a copy of the worker’s passport and visa page, their Emirates ID (or Emirates ID application reference if newly arrived), their date of birth, and your own Emirates ID as the sponsor. Some insurers may also request the worker’s occupation and salary details to confirm EBP eligibility in Dubai.
When to Arrange It
Insurance should be arranged before or at the same time as the worker’s visa application. If your domestic worker is already in the country and approaching a renewal, ensure cover is renewed with no gap — even a short lapse can trigger a block in the MOHRE permit renewal system, as the July 2026 clarification has made clear. Start the renewal process at least 30 days before expiry to allow time for any administrative delays.
GS Insurance Services works with multiple licensed UAE insurance companies to find you a compliant plan at a competitive rate. Contact us on WhatsApp or by phone to get a quote — we serve employers across Ajman, Dubai, Sharjah, and the rest of the UAE.
What Happens If You Do Not Insure Your Domestic Worker?
Failing to provide health insurance for a domestic worker carries real consequences. First, the worker’s visa or work permit renewal will be refused until valid insurance is in place. Second, if a worker is injured or falls ill without cover, the employer is legally obligated to pay for their medical treatment costs directly. Third, a labour complaint filed by the worker with MOHRE can result in formal proceedings against the employer. The official UAE Government guidance on employer obligations is available at u.ae.
In short, the cost of non-compliance — financial and legal — far outweighs the modest cost of a basic domestic worker health plan. Arranging proper cover is the simplest way to protect yourself and ensure your employee is looked after.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deduct the cost of health insurance from my domestic worker’s salary?
No. Federal Law No. 10 of 2017 prohibits any deduction from a domestic worker’s salary to cover the cost of their health insurance. The full premium is the employer’s responsibility.
Does the insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
Under the Essential Benefits Plan in Dubai, pre-existing and chronic conditions are excluded for the first six months of cover. After six months of continuous insurance, these conditions are included. Enhanced plans above the EBP may have different waiting periods — check the policy wording before purchasing.
What if my domestic worker’s health insurance lapses during the year?
A lapse in cover means your worker is uninsured and you are personally liable for any medical costs they incur. Additionally, the MOHRE permit renewal system now automatically flags lapsed insurance, meaning you will not be able to renew their work permit or visa until valid cover is reinstated. Renew early to avoid this situation.
Can I add my domestic worker to my family health insurance policy?
Some group or family health insurance plans allow you to add domestic workers as additional members. However, you must confirm with your insurer that the plan meets the minimum requirements set by DHA (Dubai), DOH (Abu Dhabi), or MOHAP (other emirates) for domestic worker coverage. A plan that qualifies for a family member does not automatically qualify as compliant domestic worker insurance. Speak to GS Insurance to verify compliance before relying on an existing plan.
Is health insurance required for part-time domestic workers?
If you are the visa sponsor for a part-time domestic worker, the insurance obligation sits with you as the sponsor. If the worker is on an agency’s visa and working at your home on a contracted basis, the agency typically carries the insurance obligation — but confirm this in writing before the worker starts. Do not assume another party has arranged cover.
How do I get the cheapest compliant health insurance for my domestic worker?
The cheapest compliant option in Dubai for a worker earning below AED 4,000 per month is typically an Essential Benefits Plan policy from a DHA-approved insurer. Premium levels vary between providers for identical EBP cover, so it is worth comparing quotes. GS Insurance Services compares options across multiple licensed insurers to find you the best rate. Get in touch for a free quote.
Get a Quote for Domestic Worker Health Insurance Today
Arranging medical insurance for your domestic worker does not have to be complicated. GS Insurance Services helps employers across the UAE find compliant, affordable health cover for maids, drivers, nannies, cooks, and other household staff — quickly and without paperwork headaches.
Call or WhatsApp us on +971 52 514 6699, email admin@gsinsurance.ae, or fill in our contact form and we will come back to you with options. GS Insurance Services is a sales intermediary. Every policy is issued and underwritten by a licensed UAE insurance company.
