How much more will UAE residents really pay for health insurance in 2026?
As residents in the UAE are concerned about extra expenditure on health insurance in 2026, many are asking one simple question: how much more will health insurance actually cost me?While messages from insurance brokerage firms warn of hikes, insurance experts said that the reality is more uneven and depends on who you are, how often you use healthcare, and what kind of plan you have."There is no single number that applies to everyone,” said Anas Mistareehi, general manager at E-sanad Insurance Brokers. “Pricing depends on age, claims history, plan type, and how frequently healthcare is used.”Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.What most residents may payIndustry experts estimate that residents may see increases closer to 8 to 10 percent, rather than the circulated 25 per cent figure.In real money terms, this could look like:Single adult: Dh250 to Dh600 more per yearFamily of four: Dh1,200 to Dh2,500 more per yearSenior residents: Dh1,600 to Dh4,000 or more per yearEven when the percentage sounds small, the impact feels much bigger for families and seniors.“Ten per cent of a Dh20,000 family policy is Dh2,000,” Mistareehi said. “That's real money for most households.”Mahdi Attya, insurance and commercial strategy expert at MSS Advisors, explained that age also plays a role. “For seniors, a small increase often sits on top of age-band pricing changes, which makes the final jump feel much larger,” he said.Who may see little or no increaseNot all residents will feel the impact equally. According to experts, those most likely to see little or no increase include:Residents covered under large employer group plansYoung singles with no or low claimsBasic health insurance plan holders, where pricing is tightly regulated“The basic plan remains priced at Dh320 per year. That offers stability for lower-income residents,” said Mistareehi.Some residents may also manage costs by accepting small benefit changes instead of paying higher premiums.What usually changes when premiums riseIf premiums do go up, insurers often adjust other parts of the policy.“The most common changes are not always the premium itself. Insurers often adjust hospital networks, outpatient limits, pharmacy rules, or co-payments,” said Attya.Hospital network access is a key area. “People often realise the impact only later, when their preferred hospital is suddenly out of network,” he added.One safe way to manage costsIf residents can adjust only one thing, experts said that the safest option is carefully choosing the right hospital network, without compromising emergency or inpatient coverage.“Inpatient care is where costs can become catastrophic,” said Attya. “That’s where protection matters most.”The advice from experts is clear — review early, compare carefully, and don’t focus only on the headline price.UAE: Demand for life insurance rises as more residents plan to retire in countryUAE insurance claims hit Dh11 billion, with health coverage driving over half the total
As residents in the UAE are concerned about extra expenditure on health insurance in 2026, many are asking one simple question: how much more will health insurance actually cost me?
While messages from insurance brokerage firms warn of hikes, insurance experts said that the reality is more uneven and depends on who you are, how often you use healthcare, and what kind of plan you have.
"There is no single number that applies to everyone,” said Anas Mistareehi, general manager at E-sanad Insurance Brokers. “Pricing depends on age, claims history, plan type, and how frequently healthcare is used.”
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
What most residents may pay
Industry experts estimate that residents may see increases closer to 8 to 10 percent, rather than the circulated 25 per cent figure.
In real money terms, this could look like:
Single adult: Dh250 to Dh600 more per year
Family of four: Dh1,200 to Dh2,500 more per year
Senior residents: Dh1,600 to Dh4,000 or more per year
Even when the percentage sounds small, the impact feels much bigger for families and seniors.
“Ten per cent of a Dh20,000 family policy is Dh2,000,” Mistareehi said. “That's real money for most households.”
Mahdi Attya, insurance and commercial strategy expert at MSS Advisors, explained that age also plays a role. “For seniors, a small increase often sits on top of age-band pricing changes, which makes the final jump feel much larger,” he said.
Who may see little or no increase
Not all residents will feel the impact equally. According to experts, those most likely to see little or no increase include:
Residents covered under large employer group plans
Young singles with no or low claims
Basic health insurance plan holders, where pricing is tightly regulated
“The basic plan remains priced at Dh320 per year. That offers stability for lower-income residents,” said Mistareehi.
Some residents may also manage costs by accepting small benefit changes instead of paying higher premiums.
What usually changes when premiums rise
If premiums do go up, insurers often adjust other parts of the policy.
“The most common changes are not always the premium itself. Insurers often adjust hospital networks, outpatient limits, pharmacy rules, or co-payments,” said Attya.
Hospital network access is a key area. “People often realise the impact only later, when their preferred hospital is suddenly out of network,” he added.
One safe way to manage costs
If residents can adjust only one thing, experts said that the safest option is carefully choosing the right hospital network, without compromising emergency or inpatient coverage.
“Inpatient care is where costs can become catastrophic,” said Attya. “That’s where protection matters most.”
The advice from experts is clear — review early, compare carefully, and don’t focus only on the headline price.
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