Portuguese Citizens Guide To Travel Insurance For Dubai
Travel insurance is an essential consideration for Portuguese citizens planning to visit Dubai. While not mandatory, having appropriate travel insurance coverage is highly advisable to access the private healthcare sector in Dubai and cover the high cost of healthcare in the emirate.
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Are you planning a trip to Dubai from Portugal? Are you thinking whether or not you need travel insurance to visit Dubai? In this article we will go through everything you need to know regarding travel insurance in Dubai for Portuguese citizens.
Do Portuguese Citizens Need Travel Insurance to Visit Dubai?
As a Portuguese citizen traveling to Dubai, you are not required to secure travel insurance to enter Dubai as you do not require a visa to enter the emirate. While you may not be legally obligated to have travel insurance, it is strongly recommended to secure one to prevent unexpected expenses.
Securing travel insurance early in the trip planning process is crucial, especially if you have already made non-refundable deposits for accommodations and other expenses. It is recommended to research and compare different policies online to ensure that you find a plan that best suits your needs.
Understanding Dubai Travel Insurance
Travel insurance helps cover financial losses associated with unexpected circumstances that could ruin a trip, including illnesses, injuries, accidents, and flight or other transportation delays. Travel insurance can cover both domestic and international trips, providing reimbursement if claimable.
Travel insurance is not the same as health insurance. Both provide medical coverage, but travel insurance only covers emergency medical treatments. Travel insurance does a better job of covering trip-ruining circumstances unrelated to health issues.
Factors to Consider Before Choosing Dubai Travel Insurance
There is a wide selection of travel insurance in Dubai, so it is crucial for you to consider a few factors before taking out a policy. For instance, coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellation and interruption, baggage and personal belongings, and additional coverage.
Coverage for Medical Emergencies
Coverage for medical emergencies is imperative when it comes to traveling abroad as you won’t be eligible for free healthcare. This covers the costs of medical treatment, including medicine and hospitalizations, up to the policy’s limit if you become injured during your trip like health insurance.
You may also consider looking for medical evacuation coverage if you plan to go to a distant area. If your condition is serious, you will need an air ambulance to medevac you to the nearest treatment facility. Your insurer will cover the cost up to the policy limit.
Trip Cancellation and Interruption Coverage
Trip cancellation and interruption coverage can sometimes be handy as it provides compensation for flight changes. There are a total of five types of coverage options. The first three choices in the following list are usually included, while the last two are optional and cost more.
- Standard trip cancellation allows a full refund of pre-paid, unused, and non-refundable trip expenses you automatically forfeit if you need to cancel your trip. Acceptable reasons usually are illnesses or injuries, serious family emergencies, and severe weather.
- Trip delay insurance will cover any expenses related to delays such as a hotel stay or a meal at the airport. It is particularly useful as traveling to Dubai more or less requires connecting flights. An airline delay at any stage could derail your planned trip.
- Trip interruption insurance is needed when something unfortunate happens during your trip, and you need to cut it short. The insurance will most likely cover a one-way economy plan ticket home plus any unused, pre-paid, and non-refundable expenses you have to forfeit.
- Trip cancellation for any reason offers the most flexibility to your travel plans. This add-on allows you to cancel your trip for any reason, no less than 48 hours before your schedule. You can generally get 75% of your trip cost as reimbursement with this optional benefit.
- Trip Interruption for any reason grants you the freedom to return home early for any reason. It is an optional upgrade that reimburses up to 75% of the insured trip cost.
Exclusions
There are a couple of exclusions that will not be covered in the area of Dubai, which are financial losses caused by banned couple’s interactions, dress code limitations, and consumption of drugs and alcohol regardless of how comprehensive your travel insurance plan is.
- Drugs and alcohol: Drinking alcohol is only allowed at a licensed hotel or bar. Only non-Muslims over 21 are permitted to drink alcohol. It is also illegal to drink or be visibly intoxicated in public. You won’t be covered if you’re involved in an accident under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
- Dress code: Always dress conservatively when out in public in Dubai. Cover your shoulder and upper arms as well as legs to the knees, especially when visiting cultural or religious sites. Fines and accidents related to the dress code will not be covered.
- Couples: Only heterosexual married couples and close relatives can share accommodation in Dubai. Unmarried couples must book separate accommodation. Hotel room cancellation or rearrangement because of marriage status will not be covered.
Cost of Travel Insurance in Dubai
The average cost of travel insurance in Dubai is 5-6% of the cost of your trip. Taking out travel insurance with a minor increase in cost can give you peace of mind and safety in exchange.
The cost of your policy will vary depending on a range of factors, such as your age, health, number of travelers, and the duration of the trip. The type of insurance plan is not an exception. As a rule of thumb, wider coverage means higher premiums.
Pre-existing medical conditions are expensive to insure, especially for those who require long-term or specialist care. Travel insurance that covers pre-existing conditions requires additional premiums or several limitations, such as a waiting period you might need to watch out for.
Note that you should always be transparent about your medical history and health condition even if it means that your cost of coverage will go up. Your policy may be considered invalid if you need to make a claim later on.
The Best Travel Insurance Carriers
For travel insurance, IMG, Vumi, and April International are the best for globetrotters. Below is a table illustrating their relative advantages.
| Insurer/Benefits | IMG | VUMI | April International |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age Limit | 69 | 79 | 80 |
| Currency | USD, GBP, EURO | USD only | EURO only |
| Coverage | Worldwide except the US | Worldwide coverage, but cannot be sold to US/Canada residents | Worldwide (with plans available to exclude zones 1 and 2) |
| Pre-existing Condition | No | Yes | No |
| Flexibility | High (deductibles and limits) | High (annual multi-trips/single trip available) | Medium (wide coverage) |
| Cost-effectiveness | Good | Medium | Good |
| Special Features | Urgent dental cover No cover in home country | Cover unforeseen pregnancy up to 20 weeks Free coverage for dependents under two years old | 15-day waiting period if already in the country Emergency dental treatment of up to EURO 400 A minimum of 3 months cover) |
Secure a Travel Insurance with Pacific Prime
Securing comprehensive travel insurance makes your trip to Dubai a worry-free one. Indulge in the lavish city lifestyle, experience the spectacular landscape and stunning landmarks, and create unforgettable memories without having to worry about personal and financial safety.
To find a budget-friendly plan that satisfies your requirements, it is best to work with Pacific Prime Dubai. As an experienced insurance broker, we have a team of experts to provide you with impartial advice and compare insurance plans across top insurers around the globe to help you.
Contact us today to get started!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is travel insurance required when visiting Dubai?
Travel insurance is not a mandatory requirement for visiting Dubai for Portuguese citizens who do not require a visa to enter the United Arab Emirates. However, proof of travel insurance is necessary when applying for a UAE visa.
Where can I get travel health insurance for Dubai (UAE)?
Portuguese citizens can obtain travel health insurance for Dubai and the UAE through travel insurance companies in Portugal or comparison marketplaces like Insubuy.
What should travel medical insurance for Dubai include?
Travel medical insurance for Dubai should include coverage for medical emergencies such as ambulance and ER services, surgical procedures, doctor’s visits, hospitalization, and the cost of medicine. It should also cover emergency evacuation or repatriation of mortal remains.
Is Dubai travel insurance expensive?
The cost of travel insurance for Dubai depends on various factors including the duration of the trip, desired coverage amount, age of the traveler, and the number of people included in the plan. Generally, travelers can expect to pay between 4% to 10% of the total trip cost for travel insurance.
Born and raised in the cultural melting pot that is Hong Kong, and having studied at an international school, Vista has developed a multicultural perspective that he uses in his writing and strives to connect to people of different backgrounds.
In his free time, Vista enjoys immersing himself in different worlds, from video games to light novels and movies. His hobbies help him expand his writing style by putting himself in the point-of-view of different people and characters.
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