Are you a doctor considering relocating to work in Dubai?
Want to navigate the process of seeking the right position and negotiating contracts?
Do you have questions about the types of contracts for doctors available?
The Health System in Dubai
Dubai’s healthcare infrastructure is well-developed, with world-class public and private facilities. There is an increase in innovative medical research involving public-private partnerships.
Most of the healthcare provision operates on an insurance-based system since health insurance coverage is mandatory for all residents and is typically provided by employers.
UAE nationals receive free or highly subsidised care at government-funded hospitals and local healthcare centres. Expats may access the public healthcare system by purchasing a health card.
Due to the high proportion of expatriate residents, the large private sector continues to grow and there is an increasing potential for medical tourism.
The number of medical schools in the UAE is growing, with the aim of increasing the numbers of locally trained healthcare professionals. Currently, there is still a high dependency on foreign-trained doctors.
Types of Contracts for Doctors Relocating to Dubai
There are five main types of contracts under which doctors may be employed. The structure of salary and benefits vary for each:
Full-time contract with fixed hours, salary and allowances.
These types of contracts are often offered by government- or semi-government-funded institution .there are no performance-based incentives; however, there will be a lucrative salary and package with allowances for accommodation and children’s education, as well as yearly flights to visit your home country.
Full-time contract with a basic salary and extra performance-based or revenue-sharing incentive on top.
Most large private hospitals and clinics typically offer doctors a lucrative basic salary, supplemented by extra performance-based or revenue-sharing incentives. However, these contracts usually do not include allowances for children’s education or housing.Some employers might offer a lower basic with a higher revenue share model on top, depending on their business model.
Complete revenue share model
Highly driven Doctors who are well established and have successfully built a strong patient base and referral network in the market might choose to work on a complete revenue share model with no basic salary at all, as they tend to earn more with this arrangement.
Community-Based Doctor (CBD): working in multiple hospitals or clinics.
By law, physicians must possess at least one full-time license under a facility (hospital or clinic) to practice in Dubai. Subsequently, they can obtain up to 2–3 additional part-time licenses with other hospitals/clinics, provided that the primary employer, who is providing the full-time license, grants the physician permission to do so.
Visiting contracts
Physicians who are of highly demanded specialties, famous, or extremely well accomplished may sometimes secure work on a visiting contract at a relevant hospital or clinic that has the appropriate facilities. Additionally, those who offer a very niched skillset can also explore such opportunities. However, the arrangements regarding the flights, hotel stay, and remuneration vary.
All facilities for all contracts usually provide the Doctors with health insurance, malpractice insurance and cover licensing and visa fees.
Mandatory Benefits
These benefits are not usually available for solo practitioners who are not classified as employees.
- Employers cover cost of visa processing
- Medical indemnity and health insurance for employees
- 30 days paid annual leave
- one-month salary bonus for each year worked
- Return flight at the end of employment term
There is no income tax in the UAE, so you get to take home your full salary.
Optional benefits
- Health insurance for dependent family members
- Accommodation allowance
- Children’s education allowance
- Yearly return flight tickets home
Considerations for contract negotiations
Salaries and benefits vary according to your qualifications, specialty, experience and country of training and licensing.
Hospitals and clinics seek after doctors who have completed their training in the USA, UK, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, especially in in-demand areas such as complex surgical specialties, maternity, pediatrics, elderly care, fertility care, and diabetes care.
Offering a new service, or one for which patients previously had to travel abroad for treatment, will give a competitive advantage.
What to expect when relocating
It can take time to build up a patient base, especially when establishing a new service. Creating awareness of new specialties available may necessitate marketing efforts. Additionally, patience, a long-term view, and a positive attitude are essential in the early stages.
For doctors who are highly motivated and seeking to advance their careers while contributing to an exciting, growing healthcare sector, Dubai is a great place to be.
