Do I need a Certificate of Continuity to avoid health insurance waiting periods in the UAE?

A Certificate of Continuity can be important when moving between UAE health plans because it evidences that you held continuous cover without a gap, which insurers may use when deciding how to treat pre-existing conditions and waiting periods. Without proof of prior continuous cover, a new insurer may treat you as a fresh applicant, which can affect how pre-existing conditions are handled. The certificate, from your previous insurer, typically confirms the insured members, the policy period, and that there was no break in cover. It does not guarantee any particular outcome — each insurer applies its own underwriting and the mandatory health-cover rules set by authorities like the Dubai Health Authority and the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. To protect yourself, request continuity documentation before your old policy lapses and give it to the new insurer at onboarding. Confirm the precise effect on waiting periods with the new insurer in writing, since terms vary by plan. Insurers are supervised by the Central Bank of the UAE. If you are treated unfairly despite valid continuity proof, you can compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI for advice.