Do you need insurance for a trip to the UAE
Russian citizens do not need a visa in advance for the United Arab Emirates: an entry stamp is placed in the passport free of charge on arrival. Border officers do not check tourists’ medical insurance, and it is not required for entry. Long-term residence is different: a UAE residence visa requires local health insurance.
At the same time, getting treatment in the Emirates without a policy is costly. Local healthcare is of a high standard, most clinics that tourists end up in are private, and the cost of a consultation, tests and especially hospital care is noticeably higher than in Turkey or Egypt. The UAE is a destination where you should not economise on the sum insured.
Which sum insured to choose
We recommend USD 50,000 or more. If you are travelling with small children, are older or have chronic conditions, consider USD 100,000. That sum covers not only a doctor’s visit but also hospitalisation, surgery and medical transportation home. It is better not to take a deductible for the UAE: even small outpatient costs are significant here.
If you have a chronic condition, tick the option for exacerbation of chronic diseases: basic plans often exclude or limit such cases.
UAE features that affect your choice of policy
- Heat. In summer temperatures stay above 40 °C, and the difference between the street and air-conditioned rooms leads to colds. Heatstroke and dehydration are common reasons for seeing a doctor; sunburn is covered by a separate option.
- Safaris and extreme activities. Jeep rides over dunes, buggies and quad bikes, skydiving, flyboarding and jet skis are all active sports. Without the relevant option an injury may not be reimbursed.
- Water parks and beaches. Bruises and cuts in water parks and injuries on the water are ordinary insured events, but remember the exclusions for intoxication.
- Strict laws. Alcohol consumption is limited to licensed venues, and incidents involving breaking the law are not covered.
- Connections. The UAE is often a transit hub. If you fly on — for example, to the Maldives, Thailand or Sri Lanka — list all countries of the route in the policy.
It is also worth considering trip cancellation cover: trips to the Emirates are not cheap, and the option reimburses non-refundable costs if the trip falls through for reasons listed in the policy terms (for example, illness).
Buy a policy to the UAE online
You can buy insurance right on this page: the calculator above shows prices from several insurers at once (16 insurers are available in the service). Online sales are provided by Polis Re’s partner, the Cherehapa service; the contract is concluded with the insurance company you select.
- Check that “UAE” is selected and set the dates and travellers’ ages.
- Tick the options you need: active sports, sunburn, trip cancellation, baggage cover.
- Sort offers by price or by cover and open the terms of the plan you like.
- Enter your first and last name in Latin letters exactly as in your international passport, enter your e-mail and pay.
- The electronic policy arrives by e-mail within a few minutes and is as valid as a paper one.
Insured event in the UAE: what to do
Keep the assistance phone number at hand: it is printed in the policy. An assistance company is a service company that organises help abroad on behalf of the insurer.
- Report the case before seeing a doctor: policy number, your details, address and symptoms.
- Get a referral to a clinic — treatment there is paid without your involvement, within the sum insured and taking the deductible into account.
- If the assistance company allows you to pay yourself, keep the medical report, invoices and receipts and file a claim for reimbursement after you return.
More in the “Insured event” section.
Nearby destinations
If your route covers several countries, see the other pages too: insurance to Turkey, insurance to Egypt, insurance to the Maldives, insurance to Thailand. The full list of destinations, annual policies and tips on choosing cover are on the travel insurance page.