Health card in Dubai and the UAE: what it is, fees and renewal
Do you need a health card in Dubai? What replaced the DHA card, EHS health card fees (AED 100 for expats), online renewal, the 2026 phase-out and Thiqa.
Dubai no longer issues a separate government health card for residents. Since mandatory health insurance, your insurance policy, linked to your Emirates ID, is what clinics and Dubai Health hospitals check. The "health card" still exists at Emirates Health Services (EHS) facilities: AED 100 a year for expat residents (plus a AED 15 smart application fee), AED 20 for five years for UAE and GCC citizens, renewed online with UAE PASS. EHS began phasing it out in favour of the Emirates ID in 2026.
Last checked: 18 October 2026
Which "health card" do you mean?
People search "health card Dubai" for four different things. Find yours:
| You need | What it is | Who issues it |
|---|---|---|
| To see a doctor at a Dubai Health hospital (Rashid, Dubai, Latifa) | Your health insurance, read from your Emirates ID | Your insurer (DHA-regulated) |
| To use an EHS hospital or centre (Northern Emirates, plus Al Kuwait Hospital Dubai) | EHS health card | Emirates Health Services |
| Abu Dhabi government cover for Emiratis | Thiqa card | Abu Dhabi Government, administered by Daman |
| A card your employer says you need to work in food, beauty or similar jobs | Occupational health card | Dubai Municipality system, after a medical screening |
Dubai: the old DHA health card and what replaced it
Before Dubai's Health Insurance Law No. 11 of 2013, residents bought a DHA health card to use government hospitals. In 2018, Gulf News reported the card cost Dh310 for adult expats and worked as a hospital file number. It did not reduce fees.
Mandatory insurance changed that. Every Dubai resident must now hold health insurance. Employers insure employees. Sponsors insure their dependants. DHA moved insurance cards onto the Emirates ID, so most clinics read your cover by scanning your ID.
What this means today:
- You do not need a separate card to visit Dubai Health hospitals. They accept many insurance plans. Call 800 60 or use the Dubai Health app to book.
- Carry your Emirates ID. Keep your insurance policy number and plan name on your phone in case the clinic's reader fails.
- Your visa depends on valid insurance. See our Dubai health insurance guide for the Essential Benefits Plan, prices and fines.
Dubai citizens and government employees: Enaya
Dubai unified its government schemes under Enaya in late 2021. According to u.ae, it covers Dubai Government employees and Dubai citizens. Enrol online or at an Enaya kiosk. Your Enaya details sit on your Emirates ID too.
EHS health card: eligibility, fees and validity
Emirates Health Services runs federal hospitals and centres, mainly in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, plus Al Kuwait Hospital Dubai and Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital in Dubai. More in our EHS guide.
The EHS card gives access to EHS facilities only. Official fees from the EHS service card:
| Category | Fee (AED) | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| UAE citizens | 20 | 5 years |
| GCC citizens resident in the UAE | 20 | 5 years |
| GCC citizens visiting | 50 | 1 year |
| Expatriate residents | 100 | 1 year |
| Expatriate visitors | 100 | 3 months |
| People of determination | 50 | Not stated |
Extra charges: a AED 15 smart application fee, bank charges, and typing centre fees if you use one. Khaleej Times reported in October 2024 a total of Dh115 plus Dh15 for expat renewals, so expect the final amount at checkout to be a little higher than the base fee.
Rules
- Your Emirates ID must be valid when you apply.
- One card per person.
- Renew within one month before expiry.
- The card's validity is separate from your Emirates ID's expiry.
- Each account can submit up to 10 transactions a year, so one parent can renew for a family.
- Inside EHS, fees depend on your card type and your insurance. EHS says it now accepts more than 20 insurers across its facilities.
How to renew or issue an EHS health card online
- Go to ehs.gov.ae (or open the EHS app) and choose Renew Health Card under patient services.
- Log in with UAE PASS and approve on your phone.
- Choose your category by nationality.
- Choose whether the card is for you or someone else.
- Pick "Renew" (or new issue), enter the Emirates ID number and search.
- Pay online. You get an SMS. The card renews against your Emirates ID.
Timing: about 3 minutes for a smart application with a valid Emirates ID. Manual applications with supporting documents take 3 working days. People of determination: 8 working days.
Documents for special cases
- Spouse of a UAE citizen: residence permit, both spouses' Emirates IDs and passports, marriage contract and the family book.
- Children of Emirati mothers: birth certificate, child's and mother's Emirates ID and passport, family book.
- Parents of citizens: residence permit, Emirates ID and passport, kinship certificate and the son's family book.
- Newborns: birth certificate and both parents' passports, Emirates IDs and residence permits.
- People of determination: a government medical report dated within 3 months.
The EHS card is being phased out
In March 2026, Gulf News reported that EHS had started replacing the health card with the Emirates ID as the main patient identifier. The rollout is staged:
- First group: Emirati citizens, residents and GCC nationals.
- Later: children of Emirati mothers, spouses of Emirati citizens and people of determination.
No end date has been published for all groups. Until EHS confirms your category no longer needs one, keep your card valid. Check the EHS website before you pay.
Abu Dhabi: the Thiqa card
Abu Dhabi does not use a general "health card" for expats. Emiratis and other eligible groups hold a Thiqa card for full government cover through Daman's network. Expats in Abu Dhabi use employer insurance. See Thiqa insurance and Daman insurance.
Occupational health card (for workers)
This is a different card. Employers in food, beauty and other public-health-sensitive work ask staff to hold an occupational health card after a medical screening. It is about public health at work, not your access to hospitals. Requirements and fees vary by job, so ask your employer's PRO and check Dubai Municipality. It is separate from the residence visa medical (see medical fitness test Dubai).
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a health card in Dubai?
No separate government card is needed for Dubai Health hospitals or private clinics. You need valid health insurance, which is linked to your Emirates ID.
How much is the EHS health card for expats?
AED 100 a year for expat residents, plus a AED 15 smart application fee and bank charges. UAE and GCC citizens pay AED 20 for five years.
How do I renew my health card online?
Log in to the EHS website or app with UAE PASS, choose Renew Health Card, enter your Emirates ID and pay. You can renew within a month before expiry.
Can I use my EHS health card at Rashid Hospital?
No. The EHS card works only at EHS facilities. Rashid Hospital is run by Dubai Health and uses your insurance.
Is the health card being cancelled?
EHS began replacing it with the Emirates ID in 2026, in phases. Some groups still need it, so check with EHS before your card expires.
Is the occupational health card the same as a health card?
No. The occupational health card is a work requirement for certain jobs, such as food and beauty roles. It does not give access to hospitals.
Run a salon or clinic in Dubai? Here is how to get more clients, or talk to Access One.
Sources
- EHS: Renewing a Health Card (service card)
- Khaleej Times: how to renew your health card (Oct 2024)
- Gulf News: EHS to scrap health card, use Emirates ID (March 2026)
- Gulf News: EHS accepts insurance across facilities (April 2026)
- u.ae: Getting health insurance
- Gulf News: Do you need a (DHA) health card? (2018)
- Gulf News: Dubai clinics accepting Emirates ID as insurance card
- Dubai Health FAQs
Published 18 Oct 2026 · Access One
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