Dubai travel & shopping
Travel Insurance and Medication Checklist Before Flying to Dubai
A practical pre-trip checklist for health cover, prescriptions and documents, plus a reminder to confirm medication rules with official sources.
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Planning note
Most Dubai trips go smoothly, but health problems and lost documents are far easier to handle if you prepare. This checklist is general information, not medical or legal advice; always confirm current rules with official sources.
Practical guide
Choose travel insurance that matches your plans
Look for a policy that covers emergency medical treatment, medical evacuation, trip cancellation and lost baggage. Read the exclusions carefully, especially for pre-existing conditions and activities such as desert driving, water sports or helicopter flights.
Keep your policy number and the insurer's emergency contact number in your phone and on paper. Learn whether you need to contact the insurer before seeking non-emergency treatment.
Check medication rules before you pack
Some medicines that are common in other countries are controlled or restricted in the United Arab Emirates, and rules can differ for prescription drugs, sedatives, strong painkillers and certain over-the-counter products. Check the current guidance from the official UAE authorities and your own government's travel advice before you leave.
If you need to bring prescription medication, carry it in its original packaging with a copy of your prescription and a letter from your doctor describing the condition and dosage. Do not rely on assumptions; if you are unsure, ask the relevant authority in advance.
Pack a small first-aid kit
A few basics are useful: plasters, antiseptic wipes, pain relief that is permitted, rehydration salts, motion-sickness remedies if you need them, and any allergy medication you normally use. Keep them in your cabin bag so you can reach them quickly.
Documents to keep together
Passport, visa or entry approval if required, return tickets, hotel confirmations, insurance details and emergency contacts should be easy to find. Store scans in a secure cloud folder and share a copy with a family member at home. Check the entry requirements for your nationality close to your travel date because they can change.
In an emergency
Learn the local emergency numbers and your embassy or consulate's contact details before you leave. Your hotel can help arrange a doctor, and your insurer can guide you to approved clinics. Keep receipts for any treatment so you can make a claim.