Dubai Health Law: New regulations for work and residency exams and driving licenses from July
The law includes new health regulations for work and residency exams and driving licences
Starting in end of July 2025, the new Dubai Health Law will come into effect. The law includes new health regulations for work and residency exams and driving licences in Dubai. It also includes new regulations for the healthcare sector in Dubai, including protecting the physical and mental health of young people, combating negative behaviors that pose a risk to their health, providing comprehensive healthcare for the elderly, and supporting awareness campaigns about the dangers of substance abuse.
The Law No. (5) of 2025 on Public Health in the Emirate of Dubai—issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai—will come into effect at the end of July. The law outlines the responsibilities of relevant authorities in the field of individual health, most notably the development of regulations, standards, and procedures for conducting medical examinations. These include pre-employment tests, residency applications, driver’s licence issuance, professional driver permits, and the issuance of professional health cards.
Support and protection of family health
Among the key responsibilities of the relevant authorities in the area of family health is the development of programs and plans that support maternal health during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period. These also include educational initiatives for mothers about optimal birth spacing, providing health education and resources to ensure safe intervals between pregnancies, and raising awareness on safe pregnancy planning.
14 responsibilities assigned to Dubai Health Authority
The law assigns the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) 14 specific tasks and powers related to individual health, in coordination with competent authorities and concerned entities. These include:
Setting policies, standards, and requirements, and defining roles and responsibilities to promote healthy lifestyles, vaccinations, medical screenings, and public health education.
Establishing regulations, standards, and procedures for conducting medical examinations—including pre-employment tests, residency-related exams, driver’s licence tests, professional driver permits, and the issuance of professional health cards—and overseeing and monitoring their implementation.
DHA is also tasked with:
Promoting and protecting physical and mental health for adolescents and adults.
Combating harmful behaviors that pose health risks.
Protecting the health of the elderly and providing them with integrated healthcare.
Supporting awareness campaigns on the dangers of psychoactive substance abuse.
Educating the public on health risks and healthy practices, disease prevention, and the importance of regular screenings.
Support for medical research and studies
DHA responsibilities further include:
Developing and enhancing regulations and standards to ensure adequate healthcare.
Supporting and encouraging medical research and studies aimed at deepening the understanding of health issues.
Establishing frameworks to safeguard patients’ rights, ensure privacy, and address medical malpractice concerns.
Healthcare service providers are obligated—according to approved legislation and protocols—to provide individual health services, including vaccinations, and to support and implement programs promoting healthy lifestyle practices in accordance with applicable policies, regulations, and guidelines.
Family health responsibilities
The law outlines 10 specific tasks and powers for DHA related to family health, in coordination with competent authorities. These include:
Developing and implementing maternal health programs during pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal periods.
Creating family planning programs that educate mothers on optimal birth spacing, providing health education and tools for safe pregnancy planning.
Overseeing child immunization programs, including vaccine provision, scheduling vaccination campaigns, and monitoring coverage rates.
Premarital screening programs
Further responsibilities include:
Developing and implementing family health and nutrition education programs.
Promoting preventive health practices within households, including encouraging regular medical check-ups, tests, and vaccinations.
Establishing premarital screening programs to prevent hereditary diseases.
Providing psychological and social support programs for families, particularly during pregnancy, childbirth, and early childhood.
Raising awareness on the importance of regular preventive screenings for non-communicable diseases, aligned with global public health best practices, such as:
Newborn screenings
Early childhood health checks
School health screenings
Prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal screenings
Preventive health checkups for adults.
Law objective
The new public health law aims to mitigate risks affecting human and community health in Dubai, enhance and protect public health, raise community awareness and knowledge about health risks and their causes, and foster individual and collective responsibility for health. It also seeks to promote preventive awareness, ensure a healthy and sustainable living environment, and make the emirate more attractive for residency, business, and investment. Additionally, it emphasizes personal responsibility for public health in Dubai.
The law stipulates that without prejudice to stricter penalties prescribed by other legislation, anyone who violates its provisions or related decisions shall be subject to a fine ranging from Dh500 to Dh1,000,000. A resolution by the Chairman of the Executive Council will specify the violations and corresponding fines. Repeat offenses within one year may lead to doubled fines, up to a maximum of Dh2,000,000.
Key new health regulations include:
Establishing regulations, standards, and procedures for medical exams related to employment, residency, and driver’s licences.
Protecting the physical and mental health of adolescents.
Combating high-risk negative behaviors among youth.
Providing integrated healthcare for the elderly.
Supporting awareness campaigns on substance abuse risks.
Implementing programs and plans that support family health in Dubai.
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