Do I need a visa to go there?
French and Belgian nationals do not need a visa for a tourist stay of less than 90 days in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). All you need is a passport valid for at least six months after the date of entry into the UAE. On arrival, your passport will be stamped, allowing you to stay for up to 90 days, in one or more instalments, over a period of 180 days from the date of first entry.
Is health insurance compulsory?
Although health insurance is not compulsory for entry into the United Arab Emirates, it is strongly recommended by the Dubai authorities and the French consulate. Given the high cost of medical care, it is advisable to take out travel health insurance that covers medical expenses, including those related to COVID-19, for worry-free travel to Dubai.
Why take out health insurance?
Health insurance is your guarantee of peace of mind on vacation. It gives you access to a wide range of benefits in the event of a medical emergency. For example, in the event of a fall requiring hospitalization, you will be responsible for all medical expenses. In France, we’re used to being covered free of charge, but this won’t be the case here. Without insurance, you’ll have to pay the full cost of hospitalization, which is very expensive in the UAE. Compared with France, a consultation with a general practitioner will cost you between €45 and €90 (200 to 400 AED). Unlike in France, doctors set their own prices in Dubai, so prices can quickly become exorbitant. If you take out travel insurance, you won’t have to pay anything in the event of illness.
What does your insurance cover?
There are different types of travel insurance. Insurers offer specific formulas with different levels of cover and options. That’s why it’s important to choose a package that best suits your needs. Ideally, your travel insurance should cover at least :
- medical expenses – we advise you to check the ceiling specified in your policy;
- medical assistance
- repatriation.
Some contracts include or offer various options, such as :
- teleconsultation ;
- luggage loss/theft insurance ;
- loss/theft of identity papers;
- trip modification/cancellation insurance – you can also contact your airline for this coverage;
- civil liability insurance abroad;
- legal protection;
- insurance covering the COVID-19 virus. Even if this is not an option in most cases, some contracts do not yet include it in the basic cover, so we advise you to be vigilant.
It’s also important to check the restrictions and exclusions in your policy. For example, the practice of extreme sports is often a specific option, meaning that your health expenses in the event of an accident while practicing an extreme sport will not be covered if you have not subscribed to this option. Once you have subscribed to the travel health insurance of your choice, you will receive a certificate. It is important that this is provided to you in both French and English. This will make it easier for you to be taken care of in the event of a problem.
What’s the best health insurance for travel to Dubai?
For a trip to Dubai, it’s essential to take out health insurance that offers coverage adapted to the high costs of local medical care. Here are some recommended options:
- Chapka – Cap Assistance: This policy covers medical expenses up to €200,000, with no deductible, including COVID-19 costs. It also offers 24-hour repatriation assistance, baggage insurance up to €3,000, and personal liability up to €4,500,000.
- Heymondo – Assurance Voyage Tranquillité: Heymondo offers cover for medical expenses abroad up to €1,000,000, with 24/7 medical assistance. The insurance also includes medical repatriation, private civil liability and COVID-19 coverage.
- AXA Assistance – Voyageo Court Séjour : AXA offers cover for medical expenses abroad up to €1,000,000, including COVID-19 costs. The insurance also includes medical repatriation, 24-hour assistance and options such as cancellation and baggage insurance.
When choosing your health insurance for Dubai, it’s important to check the benefits offered, the coverage limits, any exclusions, as well as any additional options tailored to your specific needs. Comparing the available offers will enable you to select the most appropriate cover for a worry-free stay in Dubai.
How to choose your travel insurance?
There are a large number of insurers offering very different types of cover, as we have seen. Thanks to santexpat.fr, you can find the travel insurance best suited to your needs, profile and budget. We compare over 300 offers from 25 different insurers. Once you’ve made your choice, you can subscribe 100% digitally on our website. Our advisors will be happy to help you if required
