Travel Insurance for British Expats Living in Dubai: What You Need to Know 

Yes, British expats living in Dubai can get travel insurance for trips outside the UAE, provided they choose an insurer that accepts their country of residence.

And here's the interesting part.

You don't necessarily need to live in Britain to buy travel insurance from a British insurance provider.

Imagine you've spent the past five years living in Dubai. You've swapped grey British winters for sunshine, settled into your new home and become suspiciously comfortable with air conditioning.

Life is good.

Until you book a holiday to Thailand or decide to visit the family back in Britain.

You start looking for travel insurance, only to discover that some UK insurers expect you to be a UK resident.

Well, that's awkward.

Fortunately, your British passport and UAE residence don't have to be a problem.

Let's explore how travel insurance works for British expats living in Dubai, what you should know before buying and how to find suitable cover for your next adventure.

Ready? Let's roll.

Can British expats living in Dubai get travel insurance?

Yes. British expats living in Dubai can buy travel insurance from providers that accept residents of the United Arab Emirates.

The important thing is finding an insurer that covers your circumstances.

Some travel insurance providers only accept people who normally live in a particular country. Others, like OGSure, offer insurance to eligible travellers living in many countries worldwide.

At OGSure, your nationality doesn't necessarily have to match your country of residence.

That means you can hold a British passport, live in Dubai and potentially obtain travel insurance for a holiday elsewhere.

You'll still need to meet the usual eligibility requirements, including age, destinations, travel dates and policy conditions.

My useful link: Travel insurance for UAE residents and expats.

Should you select the UK or UAE as your country of residence?

If you normally live in Dubai, you should generally select the United Arab Emirates as your country of residence.

Not the United Kingdom.

Even if you have a British passport.

At OGSure, your usual country of residence is generally somewhere you've lived or worked for more than three consecutive months and regard as your main home.

It's also normally where you would return after travelling, including if medical repatriation became necessary.

Let's imagine you're a British citizen who has worked in Dubai for six years.

You're planning a two-week holiday in Japan.

When requesting an OGSure quote, you would generally enter:

• Country of residence: United Arab Emirates
• Travel destination: Japan
• Nationality: British, if requested

Simple enough.

And remember, Dubai is your city. The United Arab Emirates is your country of residence.

That tiny distinction matters when completing insurance forms.

My useful link: Does Your Nationality Matter When Buying Travel Insurance?

Can you buy travel insurance from a UK insurer if you live in Dubai?

Yes, potentially. Some UK-based insurance providers offer policies to eligible overseas residents, while others restrict sales to people living in Britain.

This is where you need to be careful.

Your old UK travel insurance policy might have worked perfectly before you moved overseas.

But that doesn't necessarily mean it will remain suitable once you've made Dubai your permanent home.

Check the residency requirements rather than assuming your British nationality makes you eligible.

At OGSure, we provide anywhere-to-anywhere travel insurance for eligible international travellers.

Your trip doesn't need to begin in Britain.

For example, you could live in Dubai, travel to France and return to the UAE after your holiday.

My advice? Always buy insurance based on where you actually live and the journey you're planning.

Can British expats in Dubai get travel insurance to visit the UK?

Yes. British expats living in Dubai may be able to purchase travel insurance for eligible visits to the United Kingdom.

And this is particularly useful if you regularly travel home to visit family.

Imagine you're flying from Dubai to Manchester for Christmas.

You're British, but your usual home is in the UAE.

When requesting an OGSure quote, you would generally select the UAE as your residence and the UK as your destination.

However, there's another important consideration.

Having a British passport doesn't automatically entitle you to free NHS hospital treatment when visiting Britain.

In England, entitlement to free NHS hospital care is generally based on ordinary residence, although exemptions and reciprocal healthcare arrangements may apply.

The rules can also differ between the four UK nations.

The NHS provides useful information about planning your healthcare when living abroad.

I've also written a separate guide explaining how insurance and NHS eligibility work when British expats visit home.

My useful link: British Expat Visiting the UK? Here's How Travel Insurance Works.

Is your Dubai health insurance enough when travelling abroad?

Not necessarily. Your health insurance in Dubai may provide overseas benefits, but you shouldn't assume it includes everything you need for international travel.

In Dubai, employers are required to provide health insurance for their employees.

However, the healthcare arrangements you use while living in the UAE aren't necessarily designed to cover all the risks associated with holidays abroad.

Your policy might include some international emergency medical benefits.

Or it might not.

Check before travelling.

Travel insurance can also provide protection against other eligible problems, including cancelled journeys, lost baggage and travel disruptions.

The UK government's Living in the United Arab Emirates guide contains useful information about healthcare arrangements for British residents.

My advice? Check your existing medical insurance first. Then decide whether you need separate travel insurance for your journey.

Where can British expats travel with OGSure insurance?

Eligible UAE residents can obtain OGSure travel insurance for journeys to many destinations worldwide.

For example, you might be planning:

• A European city break.
• A holiday to Thailand or Japan.
• A family visit to the United Kingdom.
• A Mediterranean cruise.
• A trip to the United States or Canada.

Your destinations must fall within the geographical area covered by your policy, and destination exclusions or restrictions may apply.

Include all relevant countries in your itinerary when requesting your quote.

If you're visiting Europe, remember that travel insurance doesn't automatically guarantee you'll meet the insurance requirements for a particular visa application.

Check the relevant embassy or consulate's requirements before buying.

My useful link: Explore where OGSure provides travel insurance.

Should British expats in Dubai choose Single Trip or Annual Multi-Trip insurance?

Single Trip insurance generally suits one planned holiday, while Annual Multi-Trip insurance may be useful if you travel several times throughout the year.

At OGSure, both options are available to eligible travellers.

Single Trip travel insurance

This covers one eligible journey with specified dates and destinations.

Our current Single Trip option covers journeys of up to 30 days and is available to eligible travellers up to age 84.

Annual Multi-Trip travel insurance

This provides cover for multiple eligible journeys within a 12-month policy period.

OGSure offers Annual Multi-Trip cover up to age 79, with limits on the length of each journey.

If you're frequently flying between Dubai, Britain and other destinations, annual cover could be worth considering.

But compare the options first.

What does travel insurance cover for British expats in Dubai?

Travel insurance can provide protection against certain sudden and unforeseen events during eligible international journeys.

Depending on your OGSure policy, benefits may include emergency medical expenses abroad, medical evacuation and repatriation, trip cancellation, baggage loss and travel disruption.

Some activities, including certain winter sports and adventure sports, may require optional upgrades.

One important exclusion deserves particular attention.

OGSure does not cover claims arising directly or indirectly from pre-existing medical conditions.

You may still be eligible to purchase a policy if you have an existing condition, but claims connected to it are excluded.

If you need insurance that specifically covers an existing medical condition, you'll need to look for a suitable specialist provider.

And remember, travel insurance isn't designed to replace the everyday health insurance you use while living in Dubai.

My useful link: Understanding pre-existing medical conditions.

What should British expats check before buying travel insurance?

Before purchasing a policy, make sure the insurer accepts your UAE residence and covers your intended journey.

Here's my quick checklist:

1. Confirm your residence: Select the UAE if that's genuinely where you normally live.
2. Check your destinations: Make sure every relevant country is covered.
3. Review your travel dates: Confirm that your entire journey falls within the policy's permitted duration.
4. Understand medical exclusions: Don't assume existing illnesses or their complications are covered.
5. Check medical repatriation: Understand where you would be returned after a covered medical emergency.
6. Read the policy wording: Check the benefit limits, exclusions and conditions before paying.

I know.

Reading insurance documents isn't quite as exciting as deciding which Dubai airport lounge deserves your business.

But understanding your cover beforehand is considerably better than discovering an exclusion when something goes wrong.

My useful link: Read OGSure's policy documents.

My final thoughts: travel insurance for British expats living in Dubai

Living in Dubai can open up some wonderful travel opportunities.

You're well placed for holidays across Europe, Asia and beyond. And, of course, there's always the occasional trip back to Britain to visit friends and family.

But living outside the UK can make buying travel insurance slightly more complicated.

The good news is that your British nationality doesn't automatically prevent you from getting suitable cover.

At OGSure, we provide travel insurance for eligible residents of the UAE, including British expats whose country of residence differs from their nationality.

Your passport tells us where you're from.

Your country of residence tells us where you live.

And your travel insurance should reflect the journey you're actually taking.

Frequently asked questions

Can British citizens living in Dubai buy travel insurance?

Yes. British citizens living in Dubai may qualify for travel insurance from providers that accept UAE residents. OGSure can provide quotes to eligible UAE residents, subject to the usual policy requirements.

Do I need to be a UK resident to buy OGSure travel insurance?

No. OGSure accepts eligible residents of many countries, including the UAE. Your nationality and country of residence don't necessarily have to match.

Can I get travel insurance from Dubai to the UK?

Yes, potentially. If you normally live in Dubai, you can request OGSure travel insurance using the UAE as your residence and the UK as your destination. All other eligibility requirements apply.

Does my Dubai health insurance cover international holidays?

It depends on your policy. Some UAE health insurance policies include overseas medical benefits, while others have geographical or treatment restrictions. Check your existing insurance before travelling.

Can British expats over 70 living in Dubai get travel insurance?

Yes. OGSure offers eligible Single Trip cover up to age 84 and Annual Multi-Trip cover up to age 79. Residence, destinations, trip duration and other policy terms apply.