Travel insurance for the UK from the UAE
UK visitor rules do not mention travel insurance. In England, the NHS charges visitors from outside the EEA 150% of the standard rate for hospital care, asks for payment in advance, and tells visitors to hold medical or travel insurance for the whole visit (NHS page reviewed 22 January 2026).
Do you need travel insurance to visit the UK?
Appendix V, the UK Visitor rules, does not mention travel insurance, and neither does the GOV.UK overview of the electronic travel authorisation (ETA).12
The NHS tells visitors from outside the European Economic Area to hold personal medical or travel insurance for all of their visit to England, on a page last reviewed on 22 January 2026.3
What NHS hospital care costs you in England
The NHS charges visitors from outside the EEA 150% of the standard NHS rate for secondary care, unless an exemption applies to you or to the treatment.3
Debts of £500 or more left unpaid for at least 2 months are reported to the Home Office. If you are subject to immigration control and do not pay a charge, future immigration applications may be denied.3
Ask your insurer what medical limit your policy has for England, and whether it pays a hospital in advance or reimburses you afterwards.
Care the NHS gives free to all visitors in England
Accident and emergency treatment is free, but not once you are admitted to hospital.3
| Service | Stated limit |
|---|---|
| Accident and emergency services | Not emergency treatment if admitted to hospital |
| Testing, treatment and vaccination for COVID-19 | If admitted to hospital |
| Family planning services | Not abortion or infertility treatment |
| Treatment for most infectious diseases | Includes sexually transmitted infections |
| Treatment for a condition caused by torture, female genital mutilation, domestic violence and abuse, or sexual violence | Not if you have come to England for the purpose of seeking that treatment |
Prescription, dentistry and other charges may still apply to these services.3 A separate NHS page lists the people who do not need to pay. Check it before you travel if you think an exemption applies to you.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland may differ
The NHS page covers England only and says the rules may differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.3 Check the health service rules for the nation you are visiting.
What the Visitor rules ask instead
Paragraph V 4.2(e) requires you to have enough money for all reasonable costs of your visit without working or using public funds. That includes your return or onward journey, the costs of any dependants, and planned activities such as private medical treatment.1
If you are coming for private medical treatment, paragraphs V 7.1 to V 7.3 add requirements, including arranging the treatment before you travel. Entry clearance of up to 11 months is possible.1
ETA or visa depends on your passport
An ETA lets you travel to the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and certain other reasons. It cost £20 as shown on 4 November 2026, does not guarantee entry, and every traveller needs one, including babies.2
MOFA lists UAE normal passports under Electronic Visa eTA, on a page modified on 26 August 2026, and advises international health insurance in two places.4 If you are a UAE resident with another passport, use the GOV.UK checker to see whether you need an ETA or a visa.2
The Home Office’s guide to applying for an ETA
How to Apply For a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
Home OfficeWatch on YouTube
Summary. Home Office walkthrough of an ETA application in the UK ETA app or on GOV.UK: passport photo, chip scan, face scan, photo, questions and payment. It gives an aim of a decision within 3 working days. GOV.UK links this video from its apply page. The subtitles give no fee and do not mention insurance.
The small print
- The one insurance line in Appendix V. The only use of the word insurance on the Appendix V page is a site feedback form line about National Insurance numbers.1
- Flights between Dubai and the UK. Dubai Airports reported 6.3 million guests for the United Kingdom in 2025, its third country market after India and Saudi Arabia, and London was its busiest city at 3.9 million. The figures count both directions and include transfers as far as can be told, so they are not a count of trips by UAE residents.5
| Source | Date | Audience | Insurance content |
|---|---|---|---|
| NHS | Reviewed 22 Jan 2026 | Non-EEA visitors to England | Tells visitors to hold cover for the whole visit |
| Appendix V | Undated | Visitor route applicants | None in the text |
| GOV.UK ETA | Undated | People who need an ETA | None on the overview page |
| UAE MOFA | 26-08-2026 | UAE nationals only | Advises international health insurance, twice |
Questions to ask your insurer
Travel insurance for the UK from the UAE
Ask your insurer
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The entry rules in full
Government entry rules
Set by governments. Check the official source before you book and again before you travel.
Does the Visitor route ask for insurance?1
Not stated in the documentsUAE residents and others on the Visitor route. The word insurance does not appear in Appendix V, apart from a site feedback form line about National Insurance numbers.
Last checked 4 Nov 2026
What must a visitor show on funds?1
Explicitly includedV 4.2(e): sufficient funds for all reasonable costs of the visit without working or accessing public funds, including the return or onward journey, dependants' costs and planned activities such as private medical treatment.
Last checked 4 Nov 2026
Does the ETA overview mention insurance?2
Not stated in the documentsNo mention on the overview page.
Last checked 4 Nov 2026
What does an ETA allow?2
ConditionalPeople who need an ETA rather than a visa. Travel for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and certain other reasons. £20. It does not guarantee entry. Each person needs one, including babies.
Last checked 4 Nov 2026
Which document do UAE nationals use?4
ConditionalUAE nationals only. MOFA lists normal passports as Electronic Visa eTA. Page modified 26-08-2026.
Last checked 4 Nov 2026
Which document do UAE residents of other nationalities use?2
ConditionalETA or visa depends on passport. GOV.UK has a checker.
Last checked 4 Nov 2026
Does a visitor to England pay for NHS hospital care?3
ConditionalNon-EEA visitors, at 150% of the standard rate for secondary care, unless an exemption applies to the person or the treatment. England only.
Last checked 4 Nov 2026
Does the NHS tell visitors to hold insurance?3
Explicitly includedPersonal medical or travel insurance for all of the visit. This is NHS guidance. Appendix V and the ETA overview do not mention insurance.
Last checked 4 Nov 2026
Do the same charges apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
Not yet verifiedThe NHS page says rules may differ.
Sources
5
1UK Home Office, Immigration Rules Appendix V, Visitor. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Immigration Rules Appendix V, Visitor
2GOV.UK, Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK
3NHS, Visitors from outside the European Economic Area (EEA), Last reviewed 22 Jan 2026, next review 22 Jan 2029. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Visitors from outside the European Economic Area (EEA)
4UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Travel updates, United Kingdom, Page modified 26-08-2026. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Travel updates, United Kingdom
5Dubai Airports, DXB sets global benchmark as record traffic become the norm, 11 Feb 2026. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: DXB sets global benchmark as record traffic become the norm
- Owner
- Travelinsurance.ae research team
- Last review
- Next review due
- 10 Feb 2027
- Status
- Published