Having Kids in the UAE: The 2025 Guide for Expecting Parents and Families

Planning to start or grow your family in the United Arab Emirates? Whether you’re a long-time expat or a new arrival, the UAE offers a safe, modern, and family-friendly environment for raising children—with access to excellent healthcare, top international schools, and a wide range of lifestyle choices tailored to family life.

But having kids in a foreign country also means navigating laws, medical systems, documentation, and cultural considerations. This complete 2025 guide walks you through pregnancy, childbirth, parenting, and raising children in the UAE, step-by-step.

Having a family in UAE

Pregnancy and Maternity Care in the UAE

Antenatal Care

• Available at public and private hospitals across all emirates

• Routine check-ups include ultrasounds, blood tests, and anomaly scans

• Maternity packages often include:

  
  

  • 8–10 consultations

  • 2–3 ultrasounds

  • Natural delivery or C-section

  • Postnatal follow-up

  
  

Top Hospitals for Maternity Care

Hospital	Location	Known For
Mediclinic City Hospital	Dubai	Advanced neonatal care
Corniche Hospital	Abu Dhabi	Government-run, baby-friendly
Al Zahra Hospital	Sharjah & Dubai	Family-friendly maternity packages
Latifa Hospital	Dubai (Public)	Women & children’s services
NMC Specialty Hospital	Abu Dhabi & Al Ain	Affordable maternity plans

Maternity Package Costs (2025)

Type	Cost (AED)
Normal Delivery	AED 8,000 – AED 18,000
C-Section	AED 13,000 – AED 30,000
Public Hospitals	~AED 3,000 – AED 5,000 with insurance

Always confirm if your health insurance covers maternity care, as not all plans do. Some have waiting periods.

Legal Requirements for Having a Baby in the UAE

Marriage Certificate

• To register a birth, parents must be legally married

• Civil or Sharia marriages (UAE or abroad) are accepted

• Unmarried births are still legally sensitive; consult legal advice

Birth Registration Process

1. Get the birth notification from the hospital

2. Apply for the official birth certificate at the Ministry of Health or Dubai Health Authority

3. Translate and attest certificates if needed (for expat passport use)

Visa and ID for Newborns

Within 120 days of birth, expat parents must:

1. Apply for the child’s passport (via their embassy/consulate)

2. Obtain a residence visa (through the father’s or mother’s visa sponsor)

3. Apply for an Emirates ID and health insurance

Failure to do so results in daily fines of AED 25 after the grace period.

Maternity and Paternity Leave (2025)

Maternity Leave (Private Sector)

• 60 days: 45 days paid + 15 days half-paid

• Additional 45 days unpaid leave available

• Must provide a medical certificate of delivery

Paternity Leave

• 5 working days, to be used within the first 6 months after birth

Government sector employees may enjoy more generous leave benefits depending on the emirate.

Parenting & Raising Kids in the UAE

Infant Care

• Widely available nannies, babysitters, and domestic helpers

• Nannies must be sponsored or hired through licensed agencies

• Breastfeeding is encouraged (and protected by law), but formula is widely available

Child-Friendly Communities

Top residential areas with family facilities include:

• Arabian Ranches, Dubai Hills, Mirdif (Dubai)

• Al Reef, Saadiyat Island, Khalifa City (Abu Dhabi)

• Muwaileh, Aljada (Sharjah)

Most communities include parks, nurseries, clinics, and play zones.

Education for Kids in the UAE

Nurseries and Preschools

• Cater to ages 3 months to 4 years

• Follow British EYFS, Montessori, or IB PYP frameworks

Monthly Fees

AED 2,000 – AED 5,500+ depending on curriculum and emirate

K–12 Schools

• Hundreds of international schools offering British, IB, American, Indian, and French curricula

• School fees vary widely by emirate and reputation

Annual School Fees (2025)	Range (AED)
Budget Schools	10,000 – 25,000
Mid-range Schools	25,000 – 50,000
Premium Schools	50,000 – 100,000+

Admissions typically begin in January–March for an academic year starting in August or September.

Vaccinations and Health for Children

• Childhood immunizations follow UAE Ministry of Health schedule

• Vaccines are provided free at public hospitals and charged in private hospitals

• Mandatory vaccines include:

  • BCG (tuberculosis)

  • Hepatitis B

  • Polio

  • MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)

  • DPT (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus)

  
  

You can track vaccinations via:

• Sehaty / DHA Smart App (Dubai)

• SEHA / Tamouh Health Portal (Abu Dhabi)

Things to Do with Kids in the UAE

The UAE offers a kid-friendly environment with abundant entertainment options:

Outdoor & Leisure

• Kite Beach (Dubai), Corniche (Abu Dhabi), Al Qasba (Sharjah)

• Desert safaris with family tents and stargazing

• Water parks: Wild Wadi, Aquaventure, Yas Waterworld

Indoor Play & Edutainment

• KidZania, OliOli, The Green Planet, Louvre Abu Dhabi family tours

• Indoor trampoline parks, climbing gyms, soft play areas

Cultural Learning

• Arabic classes for kids

• Emirati cultural centres and museums offer interactive exhibitions

Useful Apps & Resources for Parents in the UAE

App / Platform	Use
BabyCenter Arabia	Pregnancy tracking & parenting tips
DHA / SEHA Apps	Book child vaccinations, check records
UAE PASS	Apply for Emirates ID & visa documents
Dubizzle / Mumzworld	Buy baby gear, clothes, essentials
Play:Date / ExpatWoman	Meetups, parenting events, playdates

Cost Summary: Having a Baby in the UAE (2025)

Category	Average Cost (AED)
Maternity Package	8,000 – 25,000
Visa & Emirates ID	1,000 – 2,000
Nursery (monthly)	2,000 – 5,500
Health Insurance (child)	1,200 – 2,500/year
School Fees (annual)	10,000 – 100,000+
Babysitting/Nanny (monthly)	2,500 – 4,500 + visa costs

Final Thoughts

Raising children in the UAE offers a unique blend of cosmopolitan comfort, top-tier healthcare, and a safe, multicultural environment. With world-class facilities, a strong education system, and increasing legal reforms to support parents, the UAE continues to be one of the best places in the region to raise a family.

Whether you’re expecting your first child, enrolling a toddler in preschool, or navigating parenting as an expat, being well-informed helps you plan with confidence and enjoy the UAE’s family-oriented lifestyle to the fullest.