Healthcare in the UAE is funded through a combination of federal government budgets, emirate-level government allocations, and employer-funded private insurance.

Public Sector (52% of spend): Primarily funded by the government for Emirati citizens.

Private Sector (48% of spend): Driven by employer-mandated insurance for expatriate residents.

Public healthcare is generally free or fully subsidized for citizens across all emirates.

• Abu Dhabi:
  • Operator: SEHA
  • Funding: Thiqa program managed by Daman

• Dubai:
  • Operator: Dubai Health
  • Funding: Sa’ada programme falling under Enaya

• Sharjah & Northern Emirates:
  • Operator: Emirates Health Services
  • Funding: Federal budgets by MoHaP

The private sector in the UAE healthcare ecosystem is rapidly expanding and is expected to surpass public funding by 2027. Private sector funding is primarily driven by mandatory employer-funded insurance for expatriate residents. As of January 2025, health insurance is mandated for all private-sector employees across all seven emirates. The system is structured into tiers based on salary levels, employer choices, and the specific emirate’s regulations.