Dubai’s new health law: Here’s what residents must know from July
New health rules require medical exams for work, residency, and driving licences
DUBAI is rolling out a new public health law from the end of July 2025, aiming to streamline health standards across the city.
Law No. (5) of 2025, issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, introduces mandatory medical tests for various services and assigns expanded responsibilities to the Dubai Health Authority (DHA).
Whether you’re applying for a job, renewing your residence visa, or getting behind the wheel, the updated regulations will directly impact you. The law targets key areas, including medical screenings, youth and elderly care, family health, and substance abuse awareness – all part of an integrated health strategy for Dubai.
Mandatory medical checks
One of the most significant changes is the compulsory medical fitness tests now required for issuing or renewing residence visas, work permits, and driving licences. All tests must be conducted at DHA-approved centres, ensuring standardised procedures and accurate detection of communicable diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV.
For driving licence applicants, a medical fitness evaluation has also become a requirement. This applies not only to first-time applicants but also to those seeking renewals or applying for professional driver permits.
The law also mandates that authorised medical centres carry out these screenings, reinforcing quality control and public safety across the emirate.
Expanded DHA role
The law entrusts the Dubai Health Authority with 14 specific responsibilities related to individual and community health. These include:
- Developing procedures for pre-employment screenings, visa applications, and driving licence tests
- Monitoring implementation of medical exams and enforcing health protocols
- Promoting physical and mental wellbeing for adolescents and adults
- Supporting integrated care for the elderly
- Launching awareness campaigns against substance abuse
- Encouraging public education on disease prevention and regular screenings
DHA is also tasked with fostering medical research and developing healthcare regulations. It will play a central role in establishing patient rights frameworks and handling malpractice concerns under the updated legislation.
Focus on family health
The law outlines 10 distinct roles for the DHA concerning family health, in collaboration with relevant authorities. These include:
- Creating programmes for maternal care during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum
- Educating mothers on optimal birth spacing and safe pregnancy planning
- Administering vaccination schedules and monitoring child immunisation
- Promoting preventive household health practices such as regular check-ups and vaccinations
- Establishing premarital screening to prevent genetic conditions
- Providing social and psychological support during early childhood stages
Additional preventive screenings will be rolled out to cover newborns, school children, and adults. These include prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal checks, as well as assessments for non-communicable diseases.
Penalties and enforcement
The law also enforces strict compliance through financial penalties. Offenders violating the provisions may face fines starting from Dh500 up to Dh1 million, depending on the nature of the violation. In case of repeated offences within one year, fines can double to a maximum of Dh2 million.
Details of specific violations and their penalties will be defined in a resolution issued by the Chairman of Dubai’s Executive Council.
Wider health objectives
The primary aim of the new law is to create a healthier, safer living environment in Dubai. It addresses both preventive and responsive healthcare by targeting individual responsibility, raising public awareness, and supporting long-term wellbeing. The law also aims to attract more residents, businesses, and investors by strengthening Dubai’s reputation as a city that prioritises health and sustainability.