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 networkUAE 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 citizensGCC citizens (residents and visitors)Expatriate residentsVisitorsPeople of DeterminationHow to applyThe 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: AED20GCC 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: AED50Additional fees: AED15 Smart Application FeesWhere can I use the health card?You can use the health card at the following EHS-affiliated facilities:DubaiHospitalsAl Kuwait Hospital, DubaiAl Amal Psychiatric HospitalPrimary healthcare centresAl Nahda Medical Examination CentreSaraya Medical Examination CentreAl Reffa Medical Examination CentreAl Awir Health CentreSalah Al Din Medical Examination CentreAl Quoz Medical Examination CentreDragon Mart Medical Examination CentreIbn Battuta Medical Examination CentreAl Baraha Smat Medical Examination CentreAl Ittihad Health CentreAl Muhaisnah Health CentreDubai Public Health CentreDubai Specialised Dental CentreAl Kuwait Hospital DubaiAbu DhabiGenetic and Neonatal Screening Diagnostic CentreSharjahHospitalsAl Qassimi HospitalKuwait Hospital, SharjahKhorfakkan HospitalKalba HospitalAl Dhaid HospitalAl Qassimi Hospital for Women and ChildrenPrimary healthcare centresAl Khibra Medical Examination CentreAl Taj Smart Medical Examination CentreWaqa Medical Examination CentreAl Khibra and Al Daqqah Medical Examination CentreSahara Medical Examination CentreAlshrooq Medical Examination CentreWasit Health CentreKhorfakkan Health CentreSpecialised Kalba Dental CentreWadi Al Helo Health CentreKalba Health CentreAl Lulueyah Health CentreDibba Al Hisn Public Health CentreAl Dhaid Health CentreFamily promotion health CentreSharjah Specialised Dental CentreKhhorakkan Specialised Dental CentreSharjah Public Health CentreKhorfakkan Public Health CentreKalba Public Health CentrePublic Health Cenre Dibba Al HisnPublic Health Centre, Al DhaidAl Khalidiyeh Health CentreAl Riqa Health CentreShees Health CentreAl Thameed Health CentreAl Batayih Health CentreAl Nahwa Health CentreNazwa Health CenreAl Maliha Health CentreAl Hamryeh Health CentreAl Qarain Health CentreAlriffa Health CentreAl Madam Health CentreAbu Mousa Healt CentreAjmanMushairif Medical Examiation CentreAl Nuaimiya Medical Examination CenterMushairef Health CentreAl Manama Health CentreMuzeirah Health CentreAjman Specialised Dental CentreAjman Public Health CentreAl Madina Health CentreAl Hamidiya Health CentreRas Al KhaimahHospitalsSaqar HospitalIbrahim Bin Hamad Obaidullah HospitalObaid Allah Geriatric HospitalAbdullah Bin Omran Hospital for Obstetrics and GynaecologyShaa’m HospitalPrimary healthcare centresDahan Medical Examination CentreRAKEZ Medical Examination CentreRas Al Khaimah Health CentreWadi Esfini Health CentreAl Rams Health CentreAbdullah Bin Ali Al Sharhan Health CentreAlmeirad Health CentreAljazerah Health CentreRAK Specialized Dental CentreKadra Health CentreRas Al Khaimah Pubic Health CentreShawa Health CentreSaif Bin Ali Health CentreAl Khat Health CentreAlhamranih Health CentreAl Jeer Health CentreAl Nakheel Health CentreDigdagah Health CentreJulphar Health CentreAlmanaie Health CentrePhysiotherapy and Sports Medicine CentreUmm Al QuwainUmm Al Quwain HospitalAlmadar Medical Examination Center for ResidencyAl Khazan Health CentreAl Salama Health CentreAlRafa Primary Health Care CentreUmm Al Quwain Dental CentreUmm Al Quwain Public Health CentreFujairahHospitalsFujairah HospitalDibba Al Fujairah HospitalPrimary healthcare centresMina Tower Medical Examination CentreAl Amal Medical Examination CentreAl Qurayyah Health CentreMurishid Health CentreMurbeh Health CentreQidfa Health CentreTawain Health CentreAl Halah Health CentreDhadna Health CentreFujairah Specialised Dental CentreFujairah Public Health Centre
