Travel insurance for the United Arab Emirates (Dubai)
The UAE is not a member of the EU or the EEA, so the European Health Insurance Card is not valid there. Healthcare in the Emirates is almost exclusively private; clinics often require a payment guarantee before treatment begins.
Why is it worth having travel insurance when visiting the UAE?
Dubai and Abu Dhabi have modern clinics and a high level of medicine. But these are private institutions whose services cost a foreigner the full price — and the bill is often presented even before treatment.
What to expect in the UAE
- The EHIC is not valid — Lietuvos valstybinis draudimas does not cover the costs.
- Healthcare is almost entirely private, and prices are high.
- Clinics often request a payment guarantee upfront.
- In summer, temperatures reach 45–50°C—heat exhaustion and dehydration are common reasons for seeking medical attention.
- Desert activities and water sports constitute a distinct category of injuries.
What insurance does
- Covers essential medical aid up to the selected limit.
- The Assistance service contacts the clinic and provides a payment guarantee
- Helps find a local doctor if a prescription is needed.
- Organizes transportation and repatriation to Lithuania.
- Operates 24/7 in Lithuanian or English.
What kind of protection is worth choosing for a trip to the UAE?
For a trip to the Emirates, medical expense coverage and assistance services are the most important elements. Active pursuits come second in importance, as they are often the primary reason for the trip.
Essential
- Medical expenses — private clinics are expensive.
- Assistance service — so you don’t have to pay out of pocket.
- Repatriation and medical evacuation
- Accident insurance
It is worth considering.
- Active pursuits — desert safari, dune bashing, quad biking, diving, skydiving.
- Baggage — especially if you are flying onwards via Dubai
- Trip cancellation or curtailment
- Civil liability
Medicines you are taking to the UAE
This is not a mere formality, but a legal matter. The UAE classifies medicines as prohibited, controlled, or permitted, and the sector is regulated by Federal Law No. 30 (2021). Some prescription medications that are common in Europe are classified as controlled substances in the Emirates.
Prior MOHAP approval
- Provided on the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) website or app.
- Free
- Processed in about three working days.
- Valid for two months and one trip.
- It is not mandatory for travelers, but it helps avoid disputes at the airport.
What to bring with you
- The original packaging of the medicine
- A prescription with the patient’s full name
- The name of the medicine, the dose, the form, and the duration of treatment
- The date the prescription was issued and the doctor’s name
- A quantity not exceeding three months’ personal needs
The most important detail that is often unknown. Pharmacies in the UAE do not accept foreign prescriptions. If your controlled medications are lost, spoiled, or run out, you simply cannot buy replacements—you will need a new prescription from a doctor registered locally. In such cases, the quickest solution is to contact your insurer’s assistance service, which can help locate a doctor and arrange an appointment.
Secondly: liability for not having documents in the UAE is criminal, not administrative.
Travelers most frequently encounter issues with preparations containing codeine or tramadol, benzodiazepines, sleeping pills, stimulants for treating ADHD, and pseudoephedrine. Cannabis products, including CBD, are prohibited. It is essential to check your specific medication against the official MOHAP list of controlled substances; this list is updated regularly, and the name of the active ingredient may differ from the brand name.
Important things to know before traveling to the UAE
Five things that often go unnoticed when planning a trip to the Emirates.
- The EHIC is not valid. The European Health Insurance Card is valid only in EU and EEA countries, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
- Heat. From June to September, temperatures reach 45–50°C. Heat exhaustion and dehydration are among the most common reasons for seeking medical attention, especially for children and older travelers.
- Driving. Since 2017 August 11 an agreement between Lithuania and the UAE on the mutual recognition of driver’s licenses is in force. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends having a printed text of the agreement in Arabic.
- Local standards. Stricter rules regarding conduct, dress, and alcohol consumption apply in the UAE than in Europe. Insurance does not cover consequences resulting from violations of the law.
- Transit. If you are flying onwards via Dubai, check whether your policy covers the entire itinerary, not just the UAE.
A holiday in Dubai or a transit to Asia?
Lithuanians travel to the Emirates in two completely different ways, and their insurance needs do not match.
Vacation in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
- Hotels, beaches, shopping centers, and excursions
- Desert safari, dune bashing, quad biking, camel riding
- Water parks, diving, windsurfing
- Skydiving and flights over Palm Island
- Vasarą — didelis karštis ir kondicionierių kontrastas
Svarbiausia — aktyvių veiklų apsauga. Be jos trauma safario ar nardymo metu gali likti neatlyginta.
Transit to Asia via Dubai
- Stopover trips to Thailand, Indonesia, the Maldives, or Japan
- A stopover of a few hours or a few days in Dubai
- The policy must cover the entire route, not just the UAE.
- There is a higher risk regarding baggage due to transfers.
- No prior authorization is required for controlled medicines in the transit zone, but it is advisable to carry a prescription.
If you have a layover in Dubai lasting longer than a few hours, it counts as a trip to the UAE—and your insurance coverage must reflect that.
The most common mistake in the case of transit. The policy is often issued for the final destination, overlooking a stopover in Dubai. However, if you leave the airport—whether to stay at a hotel or go on a tour—the UAE becomes part of your trip. When choosing insurance, specify your entire itinerary, not just the final destination.
What determines the cost of insurance for the UAE?
The Emirates are not the most expensive destination, but the cost is significantly driven up by insurance for active pursuits—which is precisely what is most often needed there.
- Duration of the trip. Every day increases the risk and the cost.
- Age and number of travelers.
- Medical expense limit. Private clinics are expensive, so the minimum limit is not always enough.
- Planned activities. Safaris, dunes, quad biking, diving, and skydiving are charged separately.
- Route. A trip solely to the UAE and a stopover trip continuing to Asia are viewed differently.
- Additional safeguards. Baggage, cancellation, civil liability.
- Insurer’s rate. Conditions regarding active pursuits vary the most among insurers.
How do I purchase travel insurance for a trip to the UAE?
1
Enter trip details
Dates, traveler ages, and the number of travelers. The destination “United Arab Emirates” has already been selected.
2
Compare offers
You will see the prices and coverage details of several insurers operating in Lithuania in one place.
3
Add active activities
If you are planning a safari, diving or other entertainment, make a note of this when taking out the policy.
4
Pay and receive the policy
You will receive the insurance certificate via email immediately after payment.
Important. The insurance policy must be purchased while still in Lithuania—we recommend doing so at least 24 hours before departure. Insurance cannot be purchased once you have already left.
What to do in the event of an incident in the UAE?
Clinics in the UAE often issue invoices to foreigners immediately, so it is advisable to call the assistance service as early as possible—whenever the situation permits, and even before visiting the medical facility.
1
Call emergency services.
The number is listed on your insurance certificate. The service operates 24 hours a day and speaks Lithuanian or English.
2
Follow the instructions.
The assistance service will specify which clinic to contact and will often communicate directly with it regarding the payment guarantee.
3
Keep all documents safe.
Bills, prescriptions, doctor’s reports, receipts. Without them, it will not be possible to reimburse the costs.
4
Notify the insurer
Upon your return, submit the documents to the insurer. If you need assistance, contact “Man ramu”.
If you need medication. Pharmacies in the UAE do not accept foreign prescriptions, so you will not be able to purchase a controlled medication on your own. Contact the assistance service; they will help you find a locally registered doctor who can issue a prescription.
Insurance Terms and Documents
Before purchasing insurance, familiarize yourself with the chosen insurer’s terms and conditions—they specify the exact scope of coverage and the events that are excluded from coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the insurance valid in Dubai?
Is the EHIC valid in the United Arab Emirates?
Can I bring my prescription medications into the UAE?
Can I buy medication at a pharmacy in the UAE using a Lithuanian prescription?
Do I need a permit if I am just transiting through Dubai?
Are desert activities—such as safaris and dune bashing—covered?
Can I drive in the UAE with a Lithuanian driver's license?
Can I purchase insurance while already in the UAE?
Calculate insurance in the UAE
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