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Yes, it’s become a mandatory requirement that all international visitors need to have travel insurance which must include Covid-19 cover.
You’ll need a valid policy before you can get a visa to enter any of the UAE’s seven emirates - two of the most well-known and popular to visit are Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
You won’t have access to free medical treatment in the UAE but travel cover can provide you with protection from anything that might interrupt your travel plans.
As with any travel insurance, cover for travelling to the UAE is designed to protect you if your trip doesn’t go to plan.
UAE travel insurance policies typically cover:
The UAE has a good standard of healthcare, but you could be refused treatment if you don’t have enough funds or a valid policy. So it’s best to have some readily accessible cash in case you need it.
Policies vary so you’ll need to check what is and isn’t included, but most standard policies won’t cover:
There are several policy add-ons you can choose from to tailor your policy to what you plan to do while you’re in the UAE.
These vary between providers but usually include:
You can take out extra cover to make sure gadgets like your mobile phone, tablet or laptop are covered against damage, loss or theft
The UAE is a hotspot for top golf courses, so this add-on is useful for covering your golf equipment and all your golfing specific insurance needs
With this option you can increase the amount you can claim for the loss, damage, or theft of a single item up to approximately £1,000
If you’re planning any adventure sports on your trip this policy add-on will make sure you’re covered
Dubai has one of the world’s largest indoor ski resorts, so winter sports cover might be useful
There are several different travel insurance options you can choose from when you’re taking out cover, these include:
The UAE has plenty to offer visitors, not to mention its year-round sunshine, showstopping modern architecture, luxury hotels and high-end shopping malls.
But before you set off there are a few things you should bear in mind:
You’ll need to check up-to-date advice, as requirements may change over time. Plus, the testing and isolation rules are different depending on where in the UAE you’re travelling to.
Currently, you can enter the UAE if you have one of the following:
But always check with your airline before you travel.
No, if you’ve got a full British passport when you arrive in the UAE you’ll be given a free of charge tourist visa as you pass through immigration.
You don’t need to apply for one in advance and once your passport is stamped with the visa it will be valid for 30 days.
With plenty of state-of-the-art medical centres and facilities, the standard of healthcare in the UAE is considered to be high.
And if you have a medical emergency while you’re in Dubai, you can call 999 for help just as you do in the UK.
But if you require unexpected treatment you’ll need to pay and the costs could soon rack up - so it’s important you have valid travel insurance.
The crime rate in the UAE is low - petty crime like bag snatching and pickpocketing happens occasionally but is rare.
But as with anywhere else, you should avoid walking alone after dark. And also be aware of the cultural rules in the UAE around what you should wear and how to behave when you’re out in public.
Conflicts in the Middle East and Gulf region could affect the UAE, so monitor any official warnings and government travel advice before you visit.
The UAE can have extreme weather and depending on the time of year temperatures can top 50°C. Sand and dust storms are also common. So, make sure you’re prepared for the heat and the sun, and drink plenty of water.
It’s only free for UAE citizens, so if you need unexpected treatment while you’re visiting, you’ll need to pay.
You may also need to prove you can afford the medical costs before you receive attention.
It’s important to take out travel insurance to make sure you’re covered, as well as it being a mandatory requirement to visit the UAE.
To take out travel insurance for the UAE, you’ll need to buy worldwide cover.
This type of cover takes into account the higher medical costs you’d need to pay outside Europe, so policies will usually be more expensive.
Most policies will cover you for a trip lasting up to 30 days and you can choose to take out single-trip cover, or an annual policy if you think you’ll be travelling twice or more in a year.
Optional add-ons can make sure you’re covered for things like adventure sports.
If you’ve taken out travel insurance in good time before you’re due to travel, this can provide financial protection if your plans are unexpectedly cancelled.
Typically, you’ll be covered if the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s (FCDO) travel advice for the UAE changes to ‘all but essential travel’.
You should try and get a full refund from your tour operator or travel agent, as your travel insurance policy may only cover you for non-refundable expenses.
But policies vary, so check what is and isn’t included when you take out cover.
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