CAN FOREIGN DOCTORS OFFER ONLINE MEDICAL ADVICE IN THE UAE?

PUBLISHED: MAY 28, 2025

Note: This material is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or consultation. The information contained in the material may not be relevant at the time of reading it.

Medical Practice in UAE Without Borders? Not Quite.

Under Article 4 of Federal Decree-Law No. 5 of 2019 (Regulating the Practice of the Medical Profession), it is explicitly stated:
“No person shall practice the profession unless he is licensed by the Health Authority.”

This regulation applies regardless of where the doctor is physically located. If a UAE resident receives medical guidance—whether through an online video consultation, second-opinion report, or messaging platform—it is considered medical practice in the UAE.

Foreign physicians who are not licensed by a UAE health authority are therefore not permitted to provide medical consultations to UAE-based patients—remotely or otherwise.

Penalties for Unauthorized Practice are quite severe:

Non-compliance with this requirement is taken seriously. Under Article 25 of the same law, individuals or businesses violating this provision may face:
(i) imprisonment, and/or
(ii) a fine ranging from AED 200,000 to AED 2,000,000

This penalty doesn’t only apply to direct medical activity. The law extends to any representation—verbal, written, or visual—that leads the public to believe the person is authorized to practice medicine.

Rebranding as “Educational” Is Not a Loophole

A common misconception is that offering medical insights under the label of "education," "advice," or "second opinion" shields the provider from liability. In practice, this is not the case under UAE law.
Even if a service is carefully branded as “informational only,” if the public perceives it as professional healthcare advice, the provider may still be held liable. The wording of Article 25 is intentionally broad, prohibiting:

“Any person… who uses publications, boards, signs or any other means that lead the public to believe he has the right to practice the profession.”

In other words, it is not the label that matters—it is the impression made on the public. Disclaimers, terms of use, and careful language are not sufficient if the substance of the service resembles a medical consultation and may lead to claims or disputes.

Acting on the basis of a power of attorney, memorandum of understanding, agency agreement, or other similar instrument on behalf of a UAE-licensed doctor is also not legal in the UAE and does not override the clear requirements of UAE law.

The UAE has established a regulatory framework that prioritizes patient protection, local oversight, and accountability. Attempting to bypass these rules by rewording services, using disclaimers, PoA, or similar instruments exposes providers to significant legal and financial risks.

REGULEX provides comprehensive legal guidance for healthcare ventures looking to enter the UAE market. Whether you are building a digital health platform, setting up a company, or planning a business relocation to the UAE, REGULEX is ready to provide legal consultation to ensure full regulatory compliance from day one.