What should you know about healthcare and emergencies in Abu Dhabi?
Emergency number
999
Ambulance: 998.
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: dxboffplan.com, pacificprime.com
Good to know
Good to Know
- 999 is the number to memorize and use by default for any emergency in Abu Dhabi — it is free, works without credit or an active SIM, and the operator will route you to police, ambulance, or fire as needed.
- For non-urgent police matters (lost property, general questions, minor complaints), use 901 instead of 999 so the emergency line stays free for genuine emergencies.
- The AD999 app from Abu Dhabi Police is the go-to official emergency app for residents and visitors in the city, with a one-tap SOS feature.
- UAE law requires visitors to carry medical insurance, and while stabilizing emergency treatment is free, further treatment must be paid via insurance or cash.
- Keep both the local emergency numbers and the AD999 app installed before you need them — English-language support is generally available when calling 999.
- For major trauma or burn injuries, Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) is the emirate's dedicated referral centre — ambulance services will typically route the most serious cases there.
- Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi on Al Maryah Island is the official emirate-wide Chest Pain and Stroke Center, making it a strong choice for suspected heart attack or stroke, but it does not admit for ob/gyn, orthopedic, or pediatric inpatient care, so you may be stabilized and transferred.
- Health insurance is mandatory for residents in Abu Dhabi and most private hospitals bill directly to insurers — carry your insurance card, as this speeds up ER intake considerably.
- For any life-threatening emergency, call 998 (ambulance) or 999 (police) rather than self-transporting, since Abu Dhabi's ambulance network is closely integrated with these named hospitals for direct trauma handoffs.
Official Safety Apps
AD999 (Abu Dhabi Police)
- Description
- The main official emergency app for Abu Dhabi. One-tap SOS button connects directly to police, fire, or ambulance dispatch, and can be used to report a fire or request an ambulance.
Platforms
- Google Play
- App Store
TAMM (Abu Dhabi Government Portal/app)
- Description
- Official Abu Dhabi Government digital services platform listing emergency numbers, hospitals, and government procedures for handling emergencies.
Platforms
- Web
- Google Play
- App Store
Etihad WE App
- Description
- Utility provider app for reporting electricity/water failures and accidents in Abu Dhabi and other emirates.
Platforms
- Google Play
- App Store
Tourist Police Abu Dhabi
- Notes
- Dedicated line for tourists needing police assistance in Abu Dhabi.
Numbers
- +971 2 800 2626
- +971 2 512 7777
Hospitals
Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC)
- Type
- Public (SEHA-managed, in partnership with Mayo Clinic)
- Address
- Al Rowdah / Khalifa City area, Abu Dhabi (exact street address not independently confirmed at the time of research)
- ER Hours
- Emergency Department open 24/7, 365 days a year
- Trauma Designation
- Self-designated as Abu Dhabi's only dedicated burn and trauma centre, with dedicated trauma units, emergency surgical teams and ICU support for major accidents and mass-casualty incidents.
- Notes
- Key referral centre for the most serious trauma and burn cases in the emirate.
Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC)
- Type
- Public (SEHA-managed, flagship tertiary hospital)
- Address
- Karama / Hazza Bin Zayed area, Abu Dhabi Island (exact street address not independently confirmed at the time of research)
- ER Hours
- Emergency Department open 24/7
- Trauma Designation
- Government-run tertiary hospital providing comprehensive emergency, trauma and surgical emergency services; a newer SKMC campus under development has been planned with a dedicated Level One Trauma Center, but it is not confirmed whether this new building is yet fully operational.
- Notes
- Long-standing flagship public hospital; historically managed in partnership with Cleveland Clinic before SSMC opened.
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
- Type
- Public (SEHA/Mubadala-affiliated, Cleveland Clinic-operated)
- Address
- Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi
- ER Hours
- Emergency Department open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
- Trauma Designation
- Not a designated Level I trauma centre, but officially designated by the Department of Health as the Chest Pain and Stroke Center for the entire Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with emergency capability across cardiology, neurology, trauma and critical care.
- Notes
- Does not provide inpatient/clinic care for obstetrics/gynecology, orthopedics or pediatrics, so patients needing those specialties may be stabilized then transferred elsewhere.
Burjeel Hospital Abu Dhabi
- Type
- Private (part of Burjeel/PureHealth network)
- Address
- Muroor area, Abu Dhabi (exact street address not independently confirmed at the time of research)
- ER Hours
- 24/7 emergency services
- Trauma Designation
- General emergency department with modern infrastructure; not documented as a formally designated Level I trauma centre.
- Notes
- Widely used private option with broad insurance network acceptance.
NMC Specialty Hospital / NMC Royal Hospital, Abu Dhabi
- Type
- Private (NMC Healthcare group)
- Address
- Abu Dhabi (exact street address not independently confirmed at the time of research)
- ER Hours
- 24/7 emergency care
- Trauma Designation
- General emergency department equipped for medical, surgical, pediatric and orthopedic emergencies; not documented as a formally designated Level I trauma centre.
- Notes
- Positioned as an accessible, insurance-friendly private ER option.
Police
- Number
- 999
- Non Emergency Number
- 901
- Notes
- For non-urgent matters (lost items, general inquiries, minor complaints) use 901 to keep 999 free for real emergencies.
Ambulance
- Number
- 998
- Notes
- Also used to dispatch an air ambulance when needed. Free in life-threatening emergencies.
Fire Civil Defence
- Number
- 997
- Notes
- National Civil Defence line, connects to local firefighters in Abu Dhabi.
Marine Coast Guard
- Number
- 996
- Notes
- In Abu Dhabi this connects to the National Guard for marine/coastal emergencies.
Utilities Abu Dhabi
- Electricity Water Addc
- 800 2332 / 800 555
- Notes
- Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC) handles electricity and water emergencies for the emirate.
Mental Health Support
- Number
- 800 4673 (800-HOPE)
- Notes
- Confidential national mental health support line for stress, anxiety, or emotional crises.
Poison Drug Information
- Number
- 800 424
- Notes
- National Poison & Drug Information Service for poisoning, chemical exposure, medication errors, or bites/stings.
Alternate Universal Number
- Number
- 112
- Notes
- Sources disagree on reliability of 112 in the UAE; some say it works as a backup that redirects to 999, others say it does not work at all. Treat 999 as the number that always works.
Universal Emergency Number
- Number
- 999
- Description
- Primary emergency number for the whole UAE, including Abu Dhabi. Connects to police, who redirect to ambulance or fire services as needed. Free from any mobile or landline, even without credit or an active SIM.
Medical No Internet Toll Free
- Number
- 800 555 (or +971 2 666 4442)
- Notes
- Toll-free line for locating 24-hour pharmacies and medical services if you lack internet access.
Harassment Safety Reporting Aman
- SMS
- 2828
- Call
- 800 2626
- Notes
- Abu Dhabi Police's 'Aman' service for reporting harassment or safety concerns confidentially.
Healthcare
- Overview
- Abu Dhabi has world-class healthcare infrastructure with both public and private options. Health insurance is mandatory for all residents and required for visa approval.
- Public Vs Private
- Public facilities (SEHA) cost 20–50% less but most expats are directed to private providers unless separately insured for public use.
- Non Compliance Fine
- AED 300
- Coverage For Dependents
- Employers must cover employee plus up to 4 dependents (spouse + 3 children under 18). Additional family members require separate individual policies.
Insurance Costs
- Family Annual
- AED 7,000
- Individual Annual
- AED 3,000
- Family Annual Range
- AED 7,000–20,000 for families
- Individual Annual Range
- AED 1,000–6,000 depending on age, coverage tier, and provider
Emergency Services
- Private ER Visit
- AED 800
excluding testing/treatment
- Private Ambulance
- AED 500
minimum, non-emergency transport
- Government Ambulance
- Free (dial 998)
- Private Ambulance High
- AED 1,500
Mandatory Insurance
- Status
- Fully legal and regulated
- Details
- Health insurance is mandatory for all expatriates and required for visa renewal. Non-compliance incurs monthly fines and visa denial.
- Required
- Yes
Private Consultation Costs
- General Consultation
- AED 250
lower range
- Specialty Consultation
- AED 600
lower range
- General Consultation High
- AED 400
upper range
- Specialty Consultation High
- AED 800
upper range
Pharmacies
- Overview
- Abu Dhabi has abundant pharmacy access with many open 24 hours. Pharmacies dispense both prescription and over-the-counter medications. English-speaking pharmacists are standard.
- Availability
- Many pharmacies across Abu Dhabi are open 24/7
- Insurance Coverage
- With mandatory private medical insurance, prescription medication coverage is often comprehensive; patients typically contribute approximately 20% of cost under basic packages
- Pharmacy Consultation
- Pharmacists can advise on minor ailments and generally speak English to a high standard
Vaccine Services
- Pcr Test
- AED 40
Covid Vaccine
- Cost
- Free
- Note
- Sinopharm available for ages 18+
Regulatory Pricing
- Status
- Fully legal and regulated
- Price Controls
- Fixed prices mandated by MOHAP; pharmacies not permitted to exceed stated selling prices or offer discounts beyond MOHAP guidelines
- Pricing Authority
- Ministry of Health & Prevention (MOHAP)
- Generic Medications
- Abu Dhabi has initiated distribution of generic prescription medications to optimize cost-effectiveness
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this emergencies research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Abu Dhabi
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.