Best Hospitals in Dubai for Expats

Saudi German Hospital, American Hospital Dubai, and Al Zahra Hospital are some of the best Dubai hospitals for expats. While healthcare is free for Emirati citizens, expats and foreigners are required to secure health insurance.

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In this article by Pacific Prime, we round up some of the best hospitals in Dubai for expats. We also explain the difference between Dubai’s public and private healthcare sectors, and elaborate on medical costs in Dubai.

Dubai’s Best Hospitals for Expats

With 90% of Dubai’s population being expats, there is an abundance of hospitals that cater to expats because they have English-speaking medical professionals. Also, Dubai has some of the most developed healthcare facilities in the world. Here are some of the best hospitals in Dubai for expats.

1. Saudi German Hospital

Saudi German Hospital is one of the best hospitals in Dubai. A multi-specialty hospital, it is internationally accredited by Joint Commission International (JCI). With a capacity of over 300 beds, the hospital has state-of-the-art facilities in their outpatient, inpatient and critical care unit.

One Special Feature: Saudi German Hospital is a Guinness World Record holder for the most vascular health screenings in 12 hours with 879 screenings.

Address: Hessa Street, Al Barsha 3, Dubai, UAE

Phone Number Inside UAE: 800 2211

Phone Number Outside UAE: +971 4389 0000

Email: info@saudigerman.com

2. American Hospital Dubai

The American Hospital Dubai is equipped with advanced technology and a large team of multi-specialty physicians to deliver you comprehensive world-class services. It is one of the few institutions in Dubai that provide American-style healthcare, which is perfect for many expats in the city.

One Special Feature: The American Hospital is the first hospital in the Middle East to receive JCI approval.

Address: 19th St – Oud Metha, Dubai, UAE, Makani No. 30095 92077

Phone Number Inside UAE: 80024392

Phone Number Outside UAE: +971 4377 5500

Email: info@ahdubai.com

3. Al Zahra Hospital

Al Zahra Hospital aims to provide premium medical services using the latest equipment and world class medical staff to local and international communities in Dubai. With a team of more than 250 doctors and 400 nurses, they focus on providing services that cater to your specific healthcare needs.

One Special Feature: Al Zahra Hospital is a preferred institution for expats for their wide range of services from preventive to tertiary care.

Address: Sheikh Zayed Rd, Al Barsha (close to Mashreq Metro Station), Dubai, UAE

Phone Number: +971 4378 6666

Email: info@azhd.ae

4. Mediclinic City Hospital

Mediclinic City Hospital was the first multi-disciplinary hospital in Dubai Healthcare City when it opened in 2008. It has maintained its position as a leading healthcare facility in the city for its well-trained medical staff, quality services and modern facilities.

One Special Feature: Mediclinic Middle East oversees seven hospitals in the UAE with a capacity of over 950 inpatient beds

Address: Dubai Healthcare City, Building 37. Dubai, UAE

Phone Number Inside UAE: 800 1999

Email: cityhospital@mediclinic.ae

5. Canadian Specialist Hospital

Canadian Specialist Hospital is one of the largest hospitals in Dubai, with a capacity of 200 beds, over 100 internationally qualified doctors, and 600 medical staff. It is well-known for its advanced world-class facilities, both in their diagnostic and treatment services.

One Special Feature: Canadian Specialist Hospital has four centers of excellence-a dialysis center, a physiotherapy center, a radiology center, and a heart center
Address: Abu Hail Street 269/1, Canadian Specialist Hospital Building, Dubai, UAE

Phone Number: +971 4707 2222

Email: m.d@csh.ae

6. Emirates Hospital Jumeirah

Emirates Hospital Dubai is a multispecialty private hospital in Dubai that offers major services including cardiology, obstetrics and gynecology, and many more. Their team of 100 medical staff covers 18 specialties, with the latest equipment for diagnosis and treatment available for high-quality care.

One Special Feature: Emirates Hospital Jumeirah is part of the Emirates Hospitals Group, one of the largest private hospital groups in the UAE.
Address: Jumeirah Beach Road, Near Dubai Canal, Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE

Phone Number Inside UAE: 800 444 444

Email: info@emirateshospital.ae

7. Zulekha Hospital Dubai

Established in 2004, Zulekha Hospital Dubai offers both inpatient and outpatient care that covers extensive medical treatments and surgical procedures. The hospital also employs highly qualified doctors to cover 32 specialties, including cardiology, plastic surgery, and oncology to name a few.

One Special Feature: The hospital’s founder, Dr. Zulekha Daud, advocates for making healthcare affordable to all, especially to people in need.
Address: Doha Street, Al Nadha 2, Al Qusais, Dubai, UAE, Makani No. 3732498190

Phone Number: +971 600 52 4442

Email: info@zulekhahospitals.com

8. International Modern Hospital

International Modern Hospital is the oldest private hospital in Dubai. Their services include diagnostic testing, elective surgery, chronic disease management, and emergency admissions. They employ an international team of doctors and medical professionals, making it perfect for expats.

One Special Feature: International Modern Hospital boasts a short waiting time at their Emergency Department, attending to patients in under 30 minutes upon arrival.
Address: International Modern Hospital, Port Rashid Road, Al Mankhool Area, Dubai, UAE

Phone Number: +971 44 06 3000

Email: info@imh.ae

The Healthcare System in Dubai

Dubai has one of the best healthcare systems in the world with their world-class facilities and abundance of English-speaking doctors and medical professionals. Aside from this, the Dubai Health Authority has made health insurance mandatory for expats and residents in Dubai.

The mandate requires expats and residents to have at least a basic level of health insurance and outpatient coverage. Expats can only receive a resident visa if they have health insurance while living in Dubai.

Differences Between Public and Private Healthcare

Public healthcare in Dubai is primarily used by Emirati citizens while expats usually go for private healthcare options. While both offer quality healthcare, there are some key differences in public and private healthcare in the UAE.

Below is a summary of how public and private healthcare differ in Dubai:

Public Healthcare	Private Healthcare
Free for Emirati nationals only May not have language support to communicate with foreign patients Long wait times due to limited facilities Reduced costs as the public system is tax-funded	Only option available for expats English-speaking professionals available More private hospitals are available than public hospitals More expensive services due to being private

The coverage also differs depending on the sector. While the public sector generally covers hospitalization, emergencies, routine care, and maternity care, private health insurance covers more services including in-patient treatments, out-patient service, emergency care, evacuation and repatriation, and additional benefits like dental and vision.

How Can Expats Access Hospitals in Dubai?

Expats can go to any private hospital for treatment. While most private hospitals in Dubai accept international health insurance plans, it’s important to check with your insurance provider on which hospitals are in their network.

If you do not have insurance, or if your insurance is not accepted, you will be expected to pay your medical bills out-of-pocket. Expats do not qualify for free healthcare in the public sector unless they have a valid residency visa in Dubai.

Medical Costs in Dubai

Basic check-ups and consultations in Dubai can cost between AED 150 to AED 500 in private hospitals, and between AED 50 to AED 150 in public hospitals. While costs can vary between the two sectors, medical services in Dubai can be quite expensive.

The high medical costs in Dubai are due to several factors. Dubai has one of the best quality healthcare in the world, with state-of-the-art facilities and treatments available. Also, due to the large number of foreigners living in Dubai, there is a much greater demand for private hospitals than public hospitals.

Here is a general breakdown of the medical costs in Dubai. Note that these prices are not fixed and only serve as a reference. Refer to your medical provider for more accurate prices on treatments and services.

Service	Price
General check-up and consultation	AED 50 to AED 500
Emergency medical treatment	AED 500 to AED 2,000
Diagnostics and tests	AED 800 to AED 2,500
Minor surgeries and treatments	AED 1,500 to AED 4,000
Larger surgeries (such as heart surgeries)	Over AED 30,000

Frequently Asked Questions

Is health insurance required for expats in Dubai?

Health insurance is required for expats to receive a resident visa and is required for the entirety of their stay in Dubai.

What happens if you don’t have health insurance while living in Dubai as an expat?

You will be fined if you don’t have adequate health insurance during your time in the UAE. This fine can be AED 500 a month.

Is healthcare free for expats?

Expats do not receive free healthcare under the public sector unless they possess residency status in Dubai. Expats can seek medical assistance in private hospitals.

Secure your international insurance plan with us!

Considering moving to Dubai but don’t know where to find the right health insurance plan? Pacific Prime can help you find the best international insurance plan in Dubai for your employment purposes and protection.

Pacific Prime Group has more than 20 years of experience in international health insurance. We have partnered with reputable insurers to ensure you have adequate options for plans to meet your healthcare needs and budget.

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Grace Dandan

Content Creator at Pacific Prime

Grace is a content creator with over 7 years of experience in the digital marketing space. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts from De La Salle University, which provided her with foundational skills in news writing, TV and film production, photography, and media. She has worked in different industries, including journalism, editorial, social work, fintech, beauty and eCommerce, providing a variety of digital works not limited to social media content, blogs, articles and presentation decks.

At Pacific Prime, Grace focuses on simplifying complex concepts on international health insurance to make these topics easily accessible and understandable for our target audience. Being a Filipino born in Hong Kong, she understands the struggles of most immigrants and expats in finding the right insurance solutions while in another country. Her goal is to redefine most people’s perception of insurance, that it is an investment for one’s protection and future.

In her spare time, Grace is either at home or at Hong Kong Disneyland. She loves reading, watching movies and K-dramas, and attending dance classes.