Emergency Healthcare in Dubai
What to do in medical emergencies—ambulance services, hospital ERs, urgent care options, and what to expect when you need immediate medical attention.
6 min read • Updated December 2025
Emergency Numbers
Quick Overview
In a medical emergency, call 998 for a free ambulance or go to the nearest hospital ER. Rashid Hospital is Dubai's main trauma center for serious emergencies. You will be treated regardless of insurance status—billing is sorted later. For urgent but non-life-threatening issues, urgent care centers offer faster service than ERs.
When to Go to ER vs Urgent Care
Call 998 / Go to ER
Life-threatening emergencies
These symptoms require immediate emergency care. Don't wait—call an ambulance or get to the nearest ER immediately.
- •Chest pain or pressure
- •Difficulty breathing
- •Severe bleeding that won't stop
- •Signs of stroke (face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty)
- •Loss of consciousness
- •Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
- •Serious head injury
- •Severe burns
- •Broken bones with visible deformity
- •Seizures
- •Poisoning or overdose
- •Severe abdominal pain
Urgent Care / Walk-In
Urgent but not life-threatening
These need prompt attention but aren't emergencies. Urgent care centers offer faster service and lower costs than ERs.
- •Minor cuts needing stitches
- •Sprains and minor fractures
- •Fever without emergency symptoms
- •Ear infections
- •Urinary tract infections
- •Minor allergic reactions
- •Vomiting/diarrhea (non-severe)
- •Back pain (acute, non-severe)
- •Eye infections or minor injuries
- •Skin infections
If you're unsure whether something is an emergency, err on the side of caution—go to the ER. It's better to be told it's not serious than to delay treatment for something that is. Trust your instincts. If something feels very wrong, seek emergency care.
Ambulance Services
Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services (DCAS)
Dubai's official ambulance service is free and well-equipped. Call 998 for medical emergencies. Ambulances are staffed with trained paramedics who can provide emergency treatment en route.
How to Call
- Dial 998 from any phone
- Stay calm and speak clearly
- Give your exact location (landmark, building name)
- Describe the emergency briefly
- Follow dispatcher instructions
- Stay on the line until told to hang up
What to Expect
- Response time: 8-15 minutes typically
- Paramedics assess and stabilize
- Treatment begins immediately
- Transport to nearest appropriate hospital
- Handoff to ER team
- Service is free (hospital care is separate)
Private Ambulance Services
Private ambulance services exist for non-emergency medical transport (hospital transfers, events, etc.). For true emergencies, always call 998—the public service is well-equipped and free. Private services include Emirates Ambulance and hospital-specific transport.
Hospital Emergency Rooms
Major hospitals with 24/7 emergency departments in Dubai.
Rashid Hospital
Oud Metha
Dubai's main trauma center. Best for serious accidents, major injuries, and life-threatening emergencies. 24/7 with full trauma capabilities.
Best For:
Major trauma, serious accidents, life-threatening emergencies
Note:
Public hospital - may have longer waits for non-critical cases
American Hospital Dubai
Oud Metha
Well-equipped private ER with shorter wait times. Full range of specialists available. Good for families with comprehensive insurance.
Best For:
All emergencies with good insurance, pediatric emergencies
Note:
Premium pricing without insurance
Mediclinic City Hospital
Dubai Healthcare City
Modern ER facility with strong surgical backup. Good for emergencies requiring immediate surgical intervention.
Best For:
Surgical emergencies, cardiac events, general emergencies
Note:
DHCC location - further from some areas
Saudi German Hospital
Al Barsha
Large ER with good capacity. More affordable than premium hospitals while maintaining quality care.
Best For:
General emergencies, good value option
Note:
Can get busy - variable wait times
Aster Hospital
Multiple (Mankhool, Qusais)
Multiple locations provide geographic coverage. Good for non-major emergencies with reasonable pricing.
Best For:
Urgent care level emergencies, geographic convenience
Note:
Good option if nearest to you
NMC Royal Hospital
DIP
Good option for residents in outer Dubai areas. Full ER capabilities with specialist backup.
Best For:
Emergencies in DIP/JVC area
Note:
Far from central Dubai
What to Expect at the ER
Triage System
You'll be assessed by a triage nurse who determines priority based on severity, not arrival time. Categories typically include:
- Immediate: Life-threatening, seen instantly
- Urgent: Serious, seen within 30-60 min
- Less Urgent: Stable, may wait 1-3 hours
The Process
- Registration (or treated first if critical)
- Triage assessment by nurse
- Wait in appropriate area
- Doctor examination
- Tests/treatment as needed
- Discharge or admission
- Payment/insurance processing
Urgent Care Centers
For urgent but non-emergency situations, these centers offer faster service and lower costs than ERs.
Aster Clinic Urgent Care
Locations:
Multiple across Dubai
Hours:
Extended hours, some 24/7
Typical Cost:
AED 150-350 consultation
Treats:
Minor injuries, infections, acute illness
Mediclinic Express Clinics
Locations:
Various malls and locations
Hours:
Mall hours + extended
Typical Cost:
AED 200-400 consultation
Treats:
Walk-in care, minor issues, vaccinations
Prime Medical Centers
Locations:
Multiple across Dubai
Hours:
Extended hours
Typical Cost:
AED 150-300 consultation
Treats:
Urgent care, minor emergencies
Hospital Walk-In Clinics
Locations:
Major hospitals
Hours:
Usually 24/7
Typical Cost:
AED 200-500 consultation
Treats:
Urgent but non-emergency cases
- Faster: Wait times typically 15-45 minutes vs 1-3+ hours at ER
- Cheaper: Consultations AED 150-400 vs AED 500-1,500+ at ER
- Convenient: Multiple locations, extended hours
- Appropriate: Right level of care for non-emergencies
What to Bring & What Happens
Documents to Have Ready
- •Emirates ID (or passport for tourists)
- •Insurance card (physical or on phone)
- •Medication list (current medications)
- •Allergy information
- •Emergency contact details
Important: Don't delay getting care to find documents. Treatment comes first—paperwork can be sorted later.
Insurance in Emergencies
- âś“You'll be treated regardless of insurance status
- âś“Show insurance card at registration if possible
- âś“Hospital handles insurance verification
- âś“Pay co-pay before discharge (usually)
- âś“Network rules relaxed for true emergencies
Emergency care is provided first. Insurance and payment concerns are handled after you're stabilized.
Emergency Care for Tourists & Visitors
If you're visiting Dubai and need emergency care, you'll receive full treatment regardless of insurance or residency status. Here's what to know:
What Happens
- Full emergency treatment provided
- Show passport for identification
- Provide travel insurance details if available
- Hospital may contact your insurer directly
- Bill issued if no insurance or coverage gaps
Cost Expectations
- ER visit: AED 500-2,000+ without insurance
- Admission: AED 2,000-10,000+ per day
- Surgery: AED 15,000-100,000+ depending on procedure
- Travel insurance strongly recommended
- Contact your insurer's 24/7 line immediately
If you have travel insurance, call their 24/7 emergency line as soon as possible. Many policies cover medical evacuation, direct hospital payment, and coordination of care. Keep your policy number accessible. Without insurance, you'll be personally responsible for all costs—which can be substantial.
- Know your nearest hospital—identify the closest ER to your home and workplace before you need it.
- Save emergency contacts in your phone, including insurance helpline and a local emergency contact.
- Set up Medical ID on your phone with blood type, allergies, medications, and emergency contact.
- Keep insurance card accessible—photo on phone, physical card in wallet.
- Know your blood type—it's useful information in emergencies.
- In true emergencies, go to the nearest hospital—don't waste time finding a "preferred" one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about emergency healthcare in Dubai.
Ambulance service (998) is free. Emergency room care is not free, but you will be treated regardless of ability to pay—billing is sorted afterward. Public hospitals like Rashid are more affordable than private ERs. With insurance, you typically pay only your co-pay. Without insurance, expect bills from AED 500 for simple visits to AED 10,000+ for complex emergencies.
Yes, absolutely. Dubai hospitals cannot refuse emergency treatment regardless of insurance or payment status. You will be stabilized and treated first—billing comes later. This applies to everyone including tourists. However, you will receive a bill afterward, so having travel or health insurance is strongly recommended.
Wait times depend on triage priority, not arrival order. Life-threatening cases are seen immediately. Urgent cases wait 30-60 minutes. Less urgent cases can wait 2-4 hours, especially at busy times. Private hospitals generally have shorter waits than public ERs. If you're waiting long, your condition has been assessed as stable—that's actually good news.
In critical emergencies, you'll be taken to the nearest appropriate facility—often Rashid Hospital for trauma. For less critical cases, you may be able to request a specific hospital if it's reasonable. However, the paramedics' priority is getting you to appropriate care quickly. For non-ambulance transport, you can choose any hospital.
You'll receive full emergency care regardless of residency or insurance status. You'll be billed directly—costs can be significant without travel insurance. If you have travel insurance, contact them as soon as possible for guidance. Many travel insurance policies have 24/7 assistance lines that can help coordinate care and payment.
Call 998 if: the person is unconscious, having chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, or you suspect stroke or heart attack. Paramedics can begin treatment en route. Drive yourself (or have someone drive) for urgent but stable conditions like broken bones, cuts needing stitches, or severe pain. Never drive if you're the one having the emergency.
Ideally: Emirates ID (or passport), insurance card, list of current medications and allergies. But don't delay getting care to find documents—treatment comes first. If you're unconscious or unable to communicate, medical staff will treat you and sort identification later. Having medical info on your phone's emergency screen helps.
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