Travel insurance for Dubai from £17.59[1]
🚩If your travel plans have been affected by the conflict involving Iran in the Middle East, see our guide for updates and check if FCDO travel advice affects your travel insurance
Key takeaways
The average cost of travel insurance for Dubai is £17.59[1]
Travel insurance can help cover expensive medical treatment and other unexpected costs in Dubai and the UAE
Always check that a worldwide travel policy includes Dubai, some exclude specific countries
Buy your policy as soon as you book your trip, so you have cancellation cover from the start
Check your policy carefully for exclusions relating to regional conflicts, terrorism and travel disruption
Do I need travel insurance for Dubai and the UAE?
Holiday insurance is not a legal requirement. But without it you will be personally responsible for paying all the costs if something goes wrong with your trip.
Travel insurance is not a legal requirement if you’re visiting Dubai or the UAE. That said, without it, you could be left to cover the costs yourself if something goes wrong during your trip. Travel insurance can help cover you if your holiday is unexpectedly cancelled, you need medical treatment while travelling, or your valuables get lost, damaged or stolen.
According to 2025 data from the Association of British Insurers:
British residents had to make 500,000+[2] claims on their travel insurance in 2024
The most common reason for claiming was to cover unexpected medical expenses, with an average insurance payout of £1,528[2]
By contrast, you can find travel insurance to Dubai from just £2.90[3]
United Arab Emirates travel advice
Still current at: 21 Sept 2026
Due to regional tensions in the Middle East, travellers should monitor local media for potential flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures, and travel disruptions, and sign up for FCDO email alerts. British passport holders visiting the UAE can receive a free tourist visa on arrival valid for up to 90 days within a 180-day period, provided their passport is valid for at least 6 months. Visitors must also be aware of strict local regulations, including zero tolerance for illegal drugs, specific rules regarding medications that require prior approval from the UAE Ministry of Health, and cultural laws such as modest dress codes.
Due to regional tensions in the Middle East, travellers should monitor local media for potential flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures, and travel disruptions, and sign up for FCDO email alerts. British passport holders visiting the UAE can receive a free tourist visa on arrival valid for up to 90 days within a 180-day period, provided their passport is valid for at least 6 months. Visitors must also be aware of strict local regulations, including zero tolerance for illegal drugs, specific rules regarding medications that require prior approval from the UAE Ministry of Health, and cultural laws such as modest dress codes.
This is an AI-generated summary of UK government travel advice. Check the FCDO website for complete information.
What type of insurance do I need for Dubai and the UAE?
Dubai and the UAE are typically covered under worldwide travel insurance policies. The specific type of policy you need depends on your travel plans:
One trip to Dubai and the UAE only
If you are only visiting Dubai or another area of the UAE, choose single-trip travel insurance and select it as your destination.
One trip to Dubai and the UAE and other countries
Combining a holiday in Dubai with visits to other countries, or perhaps you’re stopping off there on your way to somewhere further afield? Single-trip travel insurance can cover multiple countries as long as:
You don't head home in-between countries, for that you need multi-trip insurance
You are not away for a long time (policy dependent, but usually a month). For that you need backpackers’ insurance
As you’re heading outside Europe you will need to select worldwide cover.
Several holidays throughout the year
You might be able to save money by selecting an annual multi-trip travel insurance policy.
Travelling with a medical condition
You can get travel insurance with a pre-existing medical condition, but it may be more expensive than a standard policy.
Will I be covered if the Iran conflict escalates while I’m in Dubai?
Whether you’re covered will depend on the terms and exclusions of your travel insurance policy. Given the current regional tensions, it’s worth checking your policy carefully for cover relating to war, terrorism and travel disruption. If you have any questions, speak to your insurer.
How much is travel insurance for Dubai and the UAE?
The average cost of travel insurance for a single trip to Dubai and UAE is £22.22[4]. However, the price you pay will vary depending on factors like your party size and how long you are visiting for.
The figures in this table are the averages of the costs paid by MoneySuperMarket customers over the last three months.
Can I get last minute travel insurance for Dubai?
Yes, it is possible to get last-minute travel insurance for Dubai, although not all insurance providers will offer this.
You can buy last minute travel insurance through MoneySuperMarket.
Is it cheaper to buy travel insurance closer to my departure date?
No. There are not usually any savings to be made by waiting until the last minute. If possible you should buy your holiday insurance as soon as you book your trip. That way you'll be covered if you have to cancel your Dubai and the UAE holiday.
What should my travel insurance policy for Dubai and the UAE include?
Standard travel insurance will usually cover:
Illness and accidents
Trip and activity cancellations
Lost, damaged or stolen luggage (including your passport)
Theft
Repatriation (bringing you home if you are seriously injured)
Personal liability (you are responsible for accidentally harming someone or damaging their property)
🚩 Different travel insurance policies have different levels of cover exclusions. You should always read your documents and check what you're covered for.
What isn’t covered by travel insurance to Dubai and the UAE?
Typical exclusions include:
Undeclared pre-existing medical conditions
'Unforeseeable' disasters including terrorism, war, strikes and natural disasters
Alcohol and drug-related incidents
Travel to areas advised against by the government (found on the FCDO website)
Adventure or winter sports
💡 Top tip: You can upgrade your insurance to include add-ons like winter sports, adventure sports, gadget cover and travel disruption cover.
Medical care in Dubai and the UAE
There is a high-quality healthcare system in Dubai and the rest of the UAE with both private and public hospitals. However, tourists who need medical treatment while on holiday in Dubai and the UAE will be charged.
That’s why it’s especially important to have comprehensive travel insurance otherwise you will be left to pay the cost of your treatment.
If you have a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) note that it won’t be valid as Dubai and the UAE are not included in the scheme.
Did you know? According to ABTA, one in four UK holidaymakers travels abroad without travel insurance. This could be a risky move in destinations like Dubai, where healthcare is private and costs can quickly run into the thousands, meaning even a minor medical issue could become very expensive without proper cover.
Can I get travel insurance for Dubai and the UAE if I have a pre-existing medical condition?
Yes, you can get travel insurance cover with a pre-existing medical condition, but just be aware that it may be more expensive than a standard policy.
A pre-existing condition is any medical issue for which you had symptoms, medication, medical advice, treatment, or tests before you took out your insurance policy. It includes mental health conditions and disabilities.
You must disclose all pre-existing medical conditions. If you don't, your insurer can refuse to pay out for a claim.
You can buy medical travel insurance through MoneySuperMarket.
Do I need vaccinations to visit Dubai and the UAE?
The TravelHealthPro website recommends that your regular vaccinations are up to date before you travel to Dubai and the UAE.
According to this website, most travellers will need a tetanus, while some travellers will need Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, measles, rabies and typhoid.
🚩 Vaccination recommendations may be different for individuals with specific health conditions. We recommend speaking to your doctor before travelling.
Do I need a visa to visit Dubai and the UAE?
If you are a UK passport holder you will be given a free tourist visa when you arrive, which you do not need to arrange in advance. The visa is issued at the airport and is valid for 90 days within a 180-day period.
🚩 Visa requirements for a country can change. For the most up-to-date information, check the UK government’s foreign travel advice website.
What travel insurance do I need for a desert safari trip in Dubai?
You may need to have cover for extreme sports if you’re planning a trip out on the sand dunes. The type of cover you need will depend on what your trip includes, if it’s on a quad bike for example or if you’ll be driving another type of vehicle.
You may not be covered under a standard travel insurance policy. You may be able to add extreme sports cover to your existing travel insurance for a fee.
What travel insurance do I need for jet skiing in Dubai?
You may need to have adventure sports cover. Standard travel insurance policies often will usually cover jet skiing – or other water sports such as kayaking.
How to claim on my travel insurance?
Report the incident you want to claim for to your insurer as soon as possible
If something is stolen, report it to the local police within 24 hours and get a report
Keep records of what has happened, including photos or videos and the contact details of anyone involved
➡️ Learn more: How to make a claim on your travel insurance.
Where can I get cheap travel insurance for Dubai and UAE?
With MoneySuperMarket you can compare quotes from up to 59 different travel insurers, helping you find the best price for the level of cover you want.
Plus, we offer our travel insurance customers rewards! Get a voucher worth up to £5[12], a Free Days Out pass worth £180, and much more.
Just sign up to our free SuperSaveClub[12] before you buy your travel policy.
💡 Top tip: Looking for travel insurance for another destination? Check out our travel insurance destination guide hub.
Author
Rebecca Goodman
Personal Finance & Insurance Expert
Rebecca is an award-winning financial journalist with over a decade of experience writing for print and online media. Her mission is to take the jargon out of personal finance and to help everyone...
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Collette is an experienced Content Writer at MoneySuperMarket, helping people make sense of money and insurance topics without the jargon. She shares her experience as a first-time Mum and top...
