Whether you’re already living in Dubai or planning to relocate there in the near future, the question of health becomes a priority when embarking on a new adventure abroad. In our latest webinar, we covered several key aspects of health and health insurance for French expats in Dubai. The latter offering key information and practical advice. Indeed, the complexity of the foreign healthcare system often raises questions. French expatriates therefore need to find out about the quality of care and possible solutions to optimize healthcare reimbursements.
Key points covered during our webinar to understand healthcare in Dubai.
- Overview of the healthcare system in Dubai: Our speakers began by offering a comprehensive overview of the healthcare system in Dubai, providing a solid foundation for understanding the nuances and specifics of the local medical system.
- Medical cover for French nationals in Dubai: A crucial point was devoted to the question of medical cover. The various options, such as private insurance, complementary CFE (Caisse des Français de l’Étranger), and local insurance, were examined.
- Practical Advice: This webinar offered practical advice drawn from experience. Featuring testimonials from expatriates who have successfully navigated Dubai’s healthcare system.
To discuss these various points, we had the opportunity to listen to three top-quality speakers with varied expertise:
- Raphaël Le Bars: International health expert, Santexpat.fr.
- Alicia BEYNEY: Representative of Dubaï Accueil, French Social Club (FSC). Expatriate in Dubai for 10 years.
- Reginald ALLOUCHE: Diabetologist, providing a specialist view of the medical aspects.
If you missed our webinar “Healthcare in Dubai in partnership with FIAFE”, you can watch it in full on our YouTube channel.
Overview of the healthcare system in Dubai
Health care in Dubai is mainly based on the private system, characterized by highly qualified, multilingual staff. This approach ensures the highest quality of care, with well-equipped, modern medical facilities. These facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Dubai is an area with a high concentration of doctors, approximately one for every thousand inhabitants. However, it is important to note that this quality of care comes with a high price tag. Whether in the public or private system, care is not free. For example, in the context of maternity, the essential guarantee is based on negotiations between the insurer and the care facilities, which are very frequent. Raphaël Le Bars has illustrated this with the insurers’ tariff zones.
“We know that Dubai is becoming one of the most expensive places in terms of healthcare costs in the world. We see this in insurers’ tariff zones […] and Dubai is reaching the top of tariff zones, almost approaching those of the United States.”
Raphaël Le Bars: International health expert
Despite the quality of care, Reginald Allouche and Alicia Beyney stressed the importance of prevention. For example, you need to protect yourself against mosquitoes, even if Dubai is not a malaria-prone area. Protection from the sun is also essential, especially for children. We also focused on nutrition. By emphasizing the importance of diet and physical exercise, which are essential elements in maintaining good health. Alicia Beyney emphasized:
“Dubai is an international city, where you can easily find European and French food […] so you can maintain your diet in Dubai. […] You have the choice!”
Alicia BEYNEY: Dubai Accueil representative, French Social Club (FSC)
In terms of access to healthcare for French expatriates, the absence of free healthcare underlines the importance of the “Carte Santé”. The “carte santé” is a fee-paying card that does not cover healthcare costs, but does allow access to care. You need to apply to the local authorities for one. It will enable you to consult a general practitioner, subject to a charge. Complementary health insurance is therefore essential.
Salaried employees benefit from the Minimum Health Coverage (MEC) provided by their employer, while non-salaried employees must take out private health insurance to ensure adequate coverage. However, this does not apply to self-employed workers or auto-entrepreneurs, who must take out their own insurance.
Health costs in Dubai: what you need to know
Healthcare costs in France and Dubai illustrate the disparity between the two countries’ healthcare systems. In France, consultations with a general practitioner cost €25, while in Dubai the cost rises to €100 (500 Dirhams). Specialist consultations cost €45 in France and €120 in Dubai. The difference is even more marked when we look at the cost of childbirth, with €3,000 in France versus €12,000 in Dubai. These differences in costs, around four times higher in Dubai, underline the need for expatriates to adapt to a different financial context. Despite the costs, Alicia Beyney emphasized:
“The good thing here in Dubai is that when you ask for an appointment, you’re taken care of fairly quickly, for all specialties. […] Tomorrow, I pick up the phone and I have a neurologist on the spot. […] For MRIs, there’s barely a week’s wait.”
Alicia BEYNEY: Dubai Accueil representative, French Social Club (FSC)
Healthcare networks in Dubai offer advantages such as third-party payment for all types of care, facilitating the direct billing procedure. In addition, there are several levels of healthcare network. Some French-speaking facilities, such as the Clémenceau Medical Center, are integrated into some of these networks. This offers a reassuring option for French speakers living in Dubai. Raphaël Le Bars emphasized:
“For policyholders whose contracts benefit from a healthcare network, this means that they don’t have to pay in advance and can benefit from direct billing.”
Raphaël Le Bars: International health expert
Health insurance solutions for French nationals in Dubai.
Health insurance solutions for French expatriates in Dubai offer a wide range of options tailored to their specific needs. International health insurance offers privileged access to the private healthcare system, with 100% reimbursement of actual costs. This flexibility extends beyond Dubai, offering coverage wherever the expatriate may be. It also means no advance payment in the event of hospitalization, simplifying the administrative process. Raphaël Le Bars also made an interesting point about international health insurance:
“We know that expatriates in Dubai can also be very mobile, for both professional and personal reasons. So this also covers France, for temporary returns. Dubai is quite easily accessible from Paris, and many expatriates in Dubai have care habits in France, also sometimes sending their children during the vacations, and so this makes it possible to visit family doctors.”
Raphaël Le Bars: International health expert
Furthermore, when comparing international and local insurance reimbursements, expatriates can choose between local private insurance, encouraging them to use the healthcare network, and international private insurance offering the freedom to choose their doctor. For those seeking worldwide coverage, including France for temporary returns, an option is also available. These diversified solutions reflect the importance placed on flexibility and individualization in health insurance for expatriates in Dubai. Réginald Allouche concluded his speech by emphasizing:
“Insurance isn’t expensive, because the day you have a glitch, it can be complicated. You always have to have that dimension.”
Réginald Allouche: Diabetologist
Frequently asked questions about healthcare in Dubai
To conclude this webinar, we held a question-and-answer session with those present. There were a number of very interesting questions that could be of interest to you. Such as: local insurance, international insurance, and how does the CFE system fit in? Is it possible to access healthcare facilities without insurance? Is alternative medicine, such as osteopathy, covered? What does international health insurance cover, particularly repatriation? As a company, can I insure my employees with a French insurer? What happens when I return to France?
- Are only insurers on an official government-approved list authorized?
“It’s still relevant, yes. Health care is highly regulated here and, indeed, you have a list of approved insurers.”
Alicia BEYNEY: Dubai Accueil representative, French Social Club (FSC)
“Exactly, especially when you enter the country. What some of our customers do is they take out the basic insurance, which is the cheapest locally, but which is accredited precisely. […] and they also take out international health insurance for better coverage, because they’re more comprehensive.”
Raphaël Le Bars: International health expert
- If I’m insured in Dubai, can I get treatment in Abu Dhabi (or elsewhere)?
“Concerning local insurance, it’s not sure, you have to check because there are local contracts that also cover abroad. And for international insurance, for sure Abu Dhabi is also covered because it’s part of the same country.”
Raphaël Le Bars: International health expert
- Alicia, do you have any special experiences or facts about healthcare and health insurance in Dubai?
“In terms of care, I was quite surprised by the speed of care as well as the medical fabric. In other words, you get appointments straight away! So it’s very surprising. […] What also surprised me was the strong presence of the French community. It’s these French doctors who are present and who take the time to see each patient. […] We can contact our doctors by WhatsApp at any time!”
Alicia BEYNEY: Dubai Accueil representative, French Social Club (FSC)
Medical care in Dubai: not to be overlooked by French expatriates
In an increasingly mobile world, understanding health and health insurance becomes essential to ensure a smooth transition to a new life abroad. This webinar provided a wealth of information and practical advice to help French people in Dubai make informed decisions. For more personalized support, Santexpat.fr offers customized assistance in choosing health insurance. Advisors are available before departure, during the stay abroad, and even on return to France, offering a continuity of service rarely encountered. These services, provided free of charge, extend to specific solutions for each destination, guaranteeing an approach tailored to the particularities of life abroad. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our experts.
