UAE health card guide: How to apply, fees, eligibility — and how it differs from your insurance card

Dubai: If you have just arrived in the UAE – or even if you are a long-time resident – getting access to affordable, reliable healthcare in the country is easier than you think. While your company-provided health insurance gives you access to a network of private hospitals and clinics, a UAE health card connects you to government-run healthcare facilities. Here’s how to apply — and how to make the most of government healthcare services. Health card vs health insurance: What’s the difference? Health insurance card: Gives you access to private hospitals and clinics within your insurer’s network UAE health card: Gives you access to government hospitals and healthcare centres under EHS. This includes 17 hospitals, 64 primary healthcare centres and 10 public health centres. Having both ensures wider coverage and more flexibility when choosing where to seek treatment. Who can apply? Health cards are available to: UAE citizens GCC citizens (residents and visitors) Expatriate residents Visitors People of Determination How to apply The application process is largely digital and straightforward. Here are the steps to follow: Visit the EHS webpage: https://www.ehs.gov.ae/en/services/services-directory/issue-of-a-health-card and click on ‘Start service’. You will then be redirected to the UAE Pass website. Enter the mobile number you used to register for the UAE Pass, or key in your Emirates ID number. Once you approve the login from the UAE Pass app on your phone, you will be redirected to the EHS website. Click on ‘Apply for a new health card’. Under ‘Type’ of application, select the relevant option: UAE National, GCC National, Expatriate, People of Determination. Select if you are applying for yourself, or on behalf of someone else. Once you make these selections, the system will automatically fill out your details. Preview the details and click on 'Proceed'. You will be given the total amount that you need to pay, depending on your category of application. Select the method of payment – credit/debit card, Google Pay, Samsung Pay or Apple Pay. Make the payment. Once the payment is complete, the health card will be issued and connected to your Emirates ID. How much does the health card cost? UAE citizens: AED20 GCC citizens: AED20 for UAE residents. The health card will be valid for five years. AED50 for UAE visitors. The health card will be valid for one year. Expatriates: AED100 for UAE residents. The health card will be valid for one year. AED100 for UAE visitors. The health card will be valid for three months. People of Determination: AED50 Additional fees: AED15 Smart Application Fees Where can I use the health card? You can use the health card at the following EHS-affiliated facilities: Dubai Hospitals Al Kuwait Hospital, Dubai Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital Primary healthcare centres Al Nahda Medical Examination Centre Saraya Medical Examination Centre Al Reffa Medical Examination Centre Al Awir Health Centre Salah Al Din Medical Examination Centre Al Quoz Medical Examination Centre Dragon Mart Medical Examination Centre Ibn Battuta Medical Examination Centre Al Baraha Smat Medical Examination Centre Al Ittihad Health Centre Al Muhaisnah Health Centre Dubai Public Health Centre Dubai Specialised Dental Centre Al Kuwait Hospital Dubai Abu Dhabi Genetic and Neonatal Screening Diagnostic Centre Sharjah Hospitals Al Qassimi Hospital Kuwait Hospital, Sharjah Khorfakkan Hospital Kalba Hospital Al Dhaid Hospital Al Qassimi Hospital for Women and Children Primary healthcare centres Al Khibra Medical Examination Centre Al Taj Smart Medical Examination Centre Waqa Medical Examination Centre Al Khibra and Al Daqqah Medical Examination Centre Sahara Medical Examination Centre Alshrooq Medical Examination Centre Wasit Health Centre Khorfakkan Health Centre Specialised Kalba Dental Centre Wadi Al Helo Health Centre Kalba Health Centre Al Lulueyah Health Centre Dibba Al Hisn Public Health Centre Al Dhaid Health Centre Family promotion health Centre Sharjah Specialised Dental Centre Khhorakkan Specialised Dental Centre Sharjah Public Health Centre Khorfakkan Public Health Centre Kalba Public Health Centre Public Health Cenre Dibba Al Hisn Public Health Centre, Al Dhaid Al Khalidiyeh Health Centre Al Riqa Health Centre Shees Health Centre Al Thameed Health Centre Al Batayih Health Centre Al Nahwa Health Centre Nazwa Health Cenre Al Maliha Health Centre Al Hamryeh Health Centre Al Qarain Health Centre Alriffa Health Centre Al Madam Health Centre Abu Mousa Healt Centre Ajman Mushairif Medical Examiation Centre Al Nuaimiya Medical Examination Center Mushairef Health Centre Al Manama Health Centre Muzeirah Health Centre Ajman Specialised Dental Centre Ajman Public Health Centre Al Madina Health Centre Al Hamidiya Health Centre Ras Al Khaimah Hospitals Saqar Hospital Ibrahim Bin Hamad Obaidullah Hospital Obaid Allah Geriatric Hospital Abdullah Bin Omran Hospital for Obstetrics and Gynaecology Shaa’m Hospital Primary healthcare ce