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UAE hospitals and clinics publish their doctors' names, specialties, and credentials on their websites. Many provide full profiles of what each consultant specialises in. You can call the hospital directly to ask about a specific doctor and the maternity facilities available. Staff in UAE hospitals typically speak Arabic and English, and often additional languages depending on the hospital's patient base.
Once you have chosen a hospital and obstetrician, contact the hospital to open a new patient file. This is required before you can book an appointment.
To open a new patient file at a Dubai hospital you will typically need:
Once the file is open, you can book your first appointment with the obstetrician and begin planning your antenatal care.
Standard childbirth methods: natural birth and caesarean section: are available at all major UAE hospitals. Some hospitals offer water births, though this is less widely available. Discuss your preferred method with your obstetrician early to confirm what the hospital can accommodate and whether there are any conditions that might affect your options.
Maternity care in Dubai is expensive. The figures below are indicative ranges based on reported costs at the time of writing. Confirm the current costs with the hospital directly before proceeding.
| Setting and delivery type | Approximate cost range |
|---|---|
| Private hospital: natural delivery | AED 22,000 to AED 30,000 |
| Private hospital: caesarean section | Above AED 30,000 |
| Government hospital: delivery | AED 7,000 and above |
YMYL flag for Mohammed: the cost figures above are from the existing Arabiers page, originally published 2022. Hospital costs change. Sohail or Mohammed to verify these ranges against current hospital published rates or a recent patient experience before this page goes live. Do not publish with unverified cost figures.
These figures cover the delivery itself. Antenatal consultations, scans, blood tests, and any additional procedures are charged separately. Ask the hospital for a full cost estimate at your first appointment.
Every expatriate employed in the UAE is required by law to hold medical insurance through their employer. If your spouse is employed and resident in the UAE, confirm that their insurance package includes maternity care before any costs are incurred.
If you are visiting Dubai on a tourist visit visa without UAE employer-sponsored insurance, you will likely be paying out of pocket for all maternity costs. Standard travel insurance policies typically exclude planned deliveries. Check your policy wording carefully: some policies cover emergency obstetric care but exclude routine delivery costs.
Before you travel: If you are pregnant and considering travelling to Dubai near your due date, contact your travel insurer in advance to understand exactly what is and is not covered. Do not assume maternity care is included.
After delivery, the hospital issues a birth notification document. With this in hand, you proceed to your country's consulate or embassy in Dubai or Abu Dhabi to apply for your child's birth certificate. An attested marriage certificate is a mandatory document for this step. Confirm the specific requirements with your consulate as they vary by nationality.
The birth is registered through the UAE Ministry of Health or the relevant emirate authority as part of the hospital's administrative process. The hospital typically handles the initial UAE registration as part of the delivery paperwork. Ask the hospital's administration team what they handle and what you need to follow up yourself.
If your child is born in the UAE and you are a UAE resident, you must apply for a UAE residence visa for your newborn within 120 days of their birth. Missing this deadline results in a fine of AED 100 per day for every day beyond the deadline. The process follows the same route as a family residence visa in UAE.
YMYL flag for Mohammed: the 120-day window and AED 100/day fine are stated in the original page. Confirm these figures remain current under ICP rules before publication. Also confirm whether the 120-day window applies from the date of birth or from the date of the birth certificate being issued.
The sponsoring parent must meet both of the following conditions:
YMYL flag for Mohammed: the minimum salary thresholds (AED 4,000 / AED 3,500 with accommodation) are from the original page. ICP periodically updates sponsorship salary thresholds. Confirm these figures are current before publication.
Prepare all of the following before starting the application. Missing documents will delay the process.
Yes. There is no restriction on giving birth in Dubai while on a tourist or visitor visa. You can access private and government hospitals the same as anyone else. The difference is that without UAE health insurance, you will pay the full cost of delivery privately, which can range from AED 22,000 to AED 30,000 or more in a private hospital.
You typically need a valid medical insurance card, an original and attested copy of your marriage certificate, original and copies of both parents' passports, and original and copies of the residency visa or visitor visa for both parents. Requirements can vary by hospital, so confirm with the hospital administration before your first visit.
You must apply within 120 days of your child's birth. If you exceed this deadline, a fine of AED 100 per day applies from the first day after the deadline. The process is the same as applying for a family residence visa. Confirm the current rules with ICP or GDRFA before starting the process.
The sponsoring parent must earn a minimum monthly salary of AED 4,000, or AED 3,500 if the employer provides an accommodation allowance. The sponsor must also hold a valid UAE residence visa and Emirates ID. Confirm current thresholds with ICP as these may be updated.
After the hospital issues the birth notification, you take this to your country's consulate or embassy in Dubai or Abu Dhabi to apply for the birth certificate. An attested marriage certificate is a mandatory supporting document. Requirements vary by nationality, so confirm with your consulate directly.
Standard travel insurance policies typically exclude planned deliveries and routine maternity care. Emergency obstetric care may be covered under some policies. Confirm your policy wording with your insurer before travelling to Dubai while pregnant. Do not assume maternity care is included.