Do I need maternity insurance before getting pregnant?

Yes. Most plans impose a 12-month waiting period, so review cover before conception or add a maternity rider early.

Can I deliver in a public hospital without insurance?

You can, but you must hold valid residency and pay the AED 7-10K fee upfront or via instalments arranged with the hospital.

How long do I have to register the birth?

Register within 30 days at an ICA Amer centre. Late registration attracts extra fees and delays the child's Emirates ID.

Is a birth plan accepted in UAE hospitals?

Most private hospitals accept written birth plans. Public hospitals follow standard protocols; discuss preferences during antenatal visits.

Giving Birth in UAE: Cost, Hospital Choices, and Process

Public versus private hospital costs

Public hospitals charge AED 7,000 to AED 10,000 for a standard delivery when you hold valid residency and are registered with the DHA, DOH or MOH. Private hospitals range from AED 25,000 for a basic package to AED 60,000 for suites, epidurals, and longer stays. These figures cover room, obstetrician, nursing, and basic newborn screening; additional scans, NICU time, or specialist consultations add extra fees.

Maternity insurance rules in 2026

Most residency visas require minimum health cover that includes maternity after a 12-month waiting period. Check your policy wording before conception. If your plan excludes maternity, you pay full private rates unless you switch insurers or add a maternity rider before the waiting period begins. DHA and DOH publish updated lists of compliant insurers on their portals each January.

Choosing a hospital

Public options such as Latifa Hospital in Dubai and Al Ain Hospital in Abu Dhabi accept expat patients at the lower tariff. Popular private groups include Mediclinic, American Hospital, and Danat Al Emarat. Visit each facility during your second trimester to confirm room availability, language support, and neonatal intensive care level. Ask about the exact package inclusions and any seasonal surcharges for December or January deliveries.

Step-by-step process

Register at the chosen hospital by week 12 and open a maternity file. Attend scheduled antenatal visits; bring Emirates ID, insurance card, and passport. At 36 weeks confirm your birth plan and pre-book the labour room. When labour starts, go directly to the maternity triage desk. After delivery the hospital issues the medical birth notification within 24 hours.

Birth certificate and next steps

Take the medical notification, parents' passports, marriage certificate, and Emirates ID to the ICA Amer centre within 30 days. Pay AED 100 for the birth certificate and AED 50 for each additional copy. Once issued, apply for the newborn's Emirates ID at the same centre and book the first DHA or DOH well-baby visit within two weeks of discharge. Update your own visa to add the child within 120 days to avoid fines.

Practical cost-saving tips

Compare package quotes from at least three hospitals and negotiate cash-pay discounts.
Choose a shared room in private hospitals to reduce the bill by AED 5,000-8,000.
Confirm whether your insurance covers circumcision, vaccinations, and hearing tests before the due date.
Keep all receipts for potential reimbursement if you change insurers mid-pregnancy.

Ask Tovi for more

Tovi knows current 2026 UAE rules, fees, and processes. Ask anything, visas, banking, housing, schools. Ask Tovi free →

Got more UAE questions?

Tovi knows current 2026 UAE rules, fees, and processes. Ask anything — visas, banking, housing, schools. Ask Tovi free →