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Health insurance topped the list of employee benefits in Dubai with more than 71 percent of surveyed workers indicating they received access to private medical coverage or health insurance according to the Hays GCC Salary Guide 2025 as reported by Time Out Dubai. The high figure reflects in part the legal requirement for such coverage among private sector employees and domestic workers in the UAE a standard that has been in place for years. The guide which polled professionals across the Gulf also noted that basic health insurance forms a foundational element of compensation packages in a market where expatriates constitute the majority of the workforce.
Flexible working arrangements came in as the second most cited perk with 44 percent of employees reporting access to remote or hybrid options the Time Out Dubai article on the Hays findings detailed. This benefit has gained traction since the COVID-19 pandemic as companies seek to attract talent in a competitive environment. The survey data places flexibility alongside traditional benefits as a key factor in employee satisfaction and retention efforts across the GCC.
Life insurance and child education allowances were reported by 36 percent of participants representing another significant area of support especially for expatriate families facing high schooling costs in Dubai the Hays GCC Salary Guide 2025 indicated through the Time Out Dubai coverage. These allowances often help offset expenses that can run into tens of thousands of dirhams annually for international education. Additional perks such as annual air tickets and transport allowances also featured in employee responses highlighting the tailored nature of packages designed to address regional living challenges.
Gym memberships employee discounts and provision of business devices for personal use rounded out the commonly mentioned benefits with up to 14 percent of respondents noting access to discounts the report from Time Out Dubai on the Hays guide showed. Help with loans and extra vacation days were likewise cited as valuable additions that enhance overall compensation. The findings emerge at a time when 67 percent of professionals in the Gulf plan to change organisations this year according to the same Hays document underscoring the importance of competitive perks.
UAE labour legislation mandates health insurance for most employees a requirement enforced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation that aligns with the high prevalence reported in the survey. The Public Authority for Labour Statistics has previously placed the expatriate workforce in Dubai at over 90 percent of the total in many sectors making such benefits central to compliance and welfare. This legal framework provides a baseline upon which companies build additional incentives to stand out in recruitment.
The Hays GCC Salary Guide 2025 further contextualises these perks within a broader market where demand for skilled talent remains strong despite economic fluctuations the Time Out Dubai summary noted. Employers increasingly combine mandatory elements with voluntary benefits to improve retention rates. Data from the guide serves as a benchmark for both job seekers and human resources departments navigating the Dubai employment landscape.
