Dr Julia Ellert is an interventional cardiologist at Mediclinic Parkview Hospital in Dubai, with 12 years of cardiology experience, including a decade managing high-volume cases in Denmark’s government hospital system. She trained in Germany, practised in Denmark, and relocated to Dubai in August 2025. In this interview, she shares what cardiology practice in Dubai is really like, how her relocation timeline moved faster than she ever expected, and what life looks like five months into her Dubai chapter.
12 Years of Cardiology Experience, One Bold Decision
With 12 years of interventional cardiology experience under her belt, including a decade managing high-volume cases in Denmark’s government hospital system, Dr Julia had built an impressive career. She had performed thousands of angioplasties, stent placements, and even heart valve procedures. Her expertise was solid. Her future seemed set.
Yet something was calling her towards a change.
“I needed to move forward with my life,” she reflects. “I wasn’t active on LinkedIn myself, but I happened to see a post about opportunities in Dubai.”
What happened next surprised even her.
The Fastest Relocation Timeline You’ll Hear About
Within an hour of reaching out, Dr Julia had a response. The next day, she had a video call scheduled. And just 10 days after that initial message, she was signing an offer with Mediclinic Parkview Hospital in Dubai.
“I think it was an exception,” she laughs. “It was almost too good to be true. But for me, it felt like everything just aligned.”
While the job offer came quickly, Dr Julia took her licensing process seriously. She spent the next five months completing her DHA credentials while still working in Denmark, making sure everything was properly prepared for her August 2025 arrival.
What’s Different About Cardiology Practice in Dubai
Five months into her Dubai practice, Dr Julia has noticed some interesting differences in patient populations.
“The patients here are younger and more focused on prevention,” she observes. “They’re very aware of good lifestyle choices and take their health seriously.”
Interestingly, she has also noticed higher rates of hypertension, cholesterol issues, and diabetes in the region compared to Europe, likely due to genetic factors and dietary patterns. This creates a unique practice dynamic. Younger patients who are health-conscious, but who benefit greatly from preventive cardiology care.
The insurance system works differently here. In Denmark’s government hospitals, doctors make clinical decisions independently. In Dubai’s private healthcare environment, there is coordination with insurance providers for certain procedures and tests. Understanding the differences in healthcare practices can be crucial for those moving abroad. From NHS to Dubai Dr Sami Habal’s advice highlights the importance of adapting to the local system.
“You just need to be patient and not give up,” she advises. “You might go back and forth with a few emails, but if you persist, you get there. And I think over time, as insurance providers get to know your clinical judgment, it becomes smoother.”
Family Life and Education in Dubai
Dr Julia relocated with her six-year-old daughter, and the family aspects of Dubai life have exceeded her expectations.
Her daughter attends Dubai American Academy, following the same IB curriculum she had in Denmark. The transition was smooth because they had vacationed in Dubai multiple times before, so her daughter already knew and loved the destination.
“For kids, Dubai is honestly paradise,” Dr Julia says. “Good schools, great weather, pools, and thousands of activities. My daughter spends her summers in Europe, so the hot months aren’t an issue for us.”
But the real game-changer? Time.
“In Europe, even with a good doctor’s salary, affording private schools, childcare, and household help can be challenging. Here, when I come home from a busy day at the hospital, I don’t have to cook, clean, or do laundry. Those two or three hours are just for my daughter. Homework, playing, quality time. For me, that’s everything.”
Why Dubai Appealed to This European Cardiologist
Dr Julia is refreshingly honest about what drove her decision: better work-life integration, financial freedom, and a safer environment for her daughter.
“What attracted me here was the combination of professional opportunity and lifestyle. Better compensation, no income tax, and the ability to build the life you want while advancing your career. For me, those factors opened doors that felt more limited in other places.”
The safety factor was particularly important. “I feel Dubai is a safe environment. My daughter loves her school, and here’s something that really surprised me. Back in Denmark, even at five years old, it was constantly ‘she’s not playing with me,’ ‘she won’t be my friend,’ just daily playground drama. Here? She comes home happy. Says she has friends. Everything’s good. I don’t hear any of that anymore. That peace of mind is priceless.”
Advice for Doctors Considering the Move to Dubai
For physicians thinking about making a similar move, Dr Julia’s recommendation is straightforward.
“It’s a very personal decision. You need to think about whether you’re satisfied with where you are or if you want to develop yourself further, both professionally and financially. Dubai offers different opportunities for growth, both in terms of career development and quality of life.” Dr raymond hreiche’s move to dubai signifies a bold step towards embracing new horizons. This transition could lead to exciting professional advancements and unique lifestyle experiences.
Her practical advice? Work with experienced recruiters who handle the licensing complexity.
“I spoke with a German colleague who tried to do his licensing himself, and he regretted it. Having someone manage the paperwork, answer your questions, and handle the back-and-forth saves you enormous time and stress. You just provide what’s needed, and they take care of the headache.”
Dr Julia worked with Allocation Assist for her relocation and credits much of her smooth transition to having that support. “The team handled everything. I didn’t have any headaches with the licensing process because they knew exactly what needed to be done and when.”
When Dreams Find You
Looking back at that time around New Year when she first reached out, Dr Julia sees it clearly now.
“I’d actually visited Dubai back in 2006, right after finishing medical school. I remember thinking, ‘One day I’d like to work here as a doctor.’ Then life happened. Cardiology training, building my career in Denmark and Germany, raising my daughter. I never actively pursued that dream.” From France to Dubai: Dr Sonia Saib’s story showcases her journey through various challenges and triumphs. Inspired by her early ambitions, she found herself navigating unexpected paths while juggling her professional and personal life.
Sometimes dreams do not need pursuing. Sometimes they find you.
“I believe if something’s meant to be, it will happen. And for me, this was absolutely meant to be. I’m exactly where I should be.”
About Dr Julia Ellert
Dr Julia Ellert is an interventional cardiologist at Mediclinic Parkview Hospital in Dubai, specialising in coronary angiography, angioplasty, stent placement, and structural heart interventions. She completed her cardiology training in Germany and practised for 10 years in Denmark’s high-volume hospital system before relocating to Dubai in August 2025.
How Allocation Assist Supports Cardiologists Moving to the Gulf
As a medical recruitment and healthcare jobs consultancy in Dubai, our team has placed hundreds of Western-trained doctors across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar over the past 11 years, with a network of 95+ hospitals.
Key Areas of Support
- Hospital matching, based on your subspecialty, case mix, and family priorities.
- DHA, DOH, MOHAP, and SCFHS licensing, fully managed from start to finish.
- Contract review and negotiation, including salary, package, and insurance terms.
- Relocation and family logistics, including schooling, housing, and post-arrival support.
- Ongoing peer community, connecting you with doctors who have made the same move.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to move from Europe to Dubai as a cardiologist?
It varies, but Dr Julia’s case shows it can move very quickly when everything aligns. She had a job offer within 10 days of her first message, and completed her DHA licensing in around five months while still working in Denmark. She herself describes her speed as “an exception”.
What is cardiology practice like in Dubai compared to Europe?
Patients in Dubai tend to be younger and more focused on prevention, but the region also has higher rates of hypertension, cholesterol issues, and diabetes than Europe, likely due to genetic factors and dietary patterns. The clinical work involves a strong preventive cardiology element alongside interventional cases.
How does the insurance system affect cardiology practice in Dubai?
In Dubai’s private healthcare environment, doctors coordinate with insurance providers for certain procedures and tests, unlike Denmark’s government hospital model where clinical decisions are independent. Dr Julia’s advice is to be patient and persistent. Over time, as insurers come to know your clinical judgment, the process becomes smoother.
Is Dubai a good place for doctors moving with children?
Yes, in Dr Julia’s experience. Her six-year-old daughter attends Dubai American Academy and continued the same IB curriculum she had in Denmark. International schooling options are strong, the climate suits family life outside the peak summer months, and household support frees up significant evening time for family.
What did Dr Julia find most surprising about life in Dubai?
The amount of time she gets back. “When I come home from a busy day at the hospital, I don’t have to cook, clean, or do laundry. Those two or three hours are just for my daughter.” She also notes a calmer social environment for her daughter, with less of the daily playground drama she had grown used to in Denmark.
Do I need to handle DHA licensing myself, or can it be managed for me?
It can be fully managed. Dr Julia worked with Allocation Assist on her DHA process and credits much of her smooth transition to that support. She mentions a German colleague who attempted licensing alone and “regretted it”. Having an experienced team handle the paperwork removes most of the friction.
Where does Dr Julia Ellert work in Dubai?
Dr Julia is an interventional cardiologist at Mediclinic Parkview Hospital in Dubai. She specialises in coronary angiography, angioplasty, stent placement, and structural heart interventions.
What advice does Dr Julia give other European doctors considering Dubai?
She frames it as a personal decision. The question is whether you are satisfied where you are, or whether you want to develop yourself further both professionally and financially. For doctors who want career growth and lifestyle improvement, Dubai opens doors that can feel more limited elsewhere.
How can Allocation Assist help me move to Dubai as a cardiologist?
Allocation Assist has placed hundreds of Western-trained doctors across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar over the past 11 years, with a network of 95+ hospitals. The team handles hospital matching, DHA licensing, contract negotiation, relocation logistics, and post-arrival support.
