Etihad to Offer Free Travel Medical Insurance for Tourists

International visitors flying to Abu Dhabi on Etihad Airways will now receive complimentary medical travel insurance as part of a new initiative aimed at enhancing the visitor experience. The national carrier announced the scheme on Friday, 12 June 2026, in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) Abu Dhabi and The National Insurance Company – Daman.

Under the program, all qualifying guests are automatically enrolled in the insurance plan upon booking, requiring no formal application. The coverage is valid for trips occurring between July and December 2026, providing eligible visitors with up to 15 days of protection during their stay in the UAE.

Seamless Eligibility and Coverage

To qualify for the automatic coverage, travelers must fly to Abu Dhabi on an Etihad-operated service, with both their point of origin and point of sale located outside the UAE. This eligibility extends to passengers utilizing Etihad’s complimentary Stopover Programme, who remain covered for the full duration of their time in the capital.

"This partnership demonstrates a shared commitment by Etihad and DCT Abu Dhabi to put the visitor experience first and removes an administrative burden from travellers," the airline stated regarding the collaboration.

Leadership Perspective on Visitor Experience

The initiative underscores a concerted effort to reduce friction for tourists entering the emirate. Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, emphasized the goal of streamlining travel logistics.

"Giving comprehensive medical insurance with every eligible Etihad ticket means our guests can focus entirely on experiencing the extraordinary Emirati hospitality Abu Dhabi has to offer," Neves said. "This is what it looks like when an airline and a destination truly invest in their visitors."

Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, noted that global interest in the emirate is rising and this move helps meet that demand. "Our partnership with Etihad will set a new benchmark for destination standards and ensure our guests feel welcomed, valued, and cared for from the moment they book," he said.

Khaled Ateeq Aldhaheri, Chief Executive Officer of Daman, highlighted the importance of health security in the travel journey. "This initiative adds meaningful value to the visitor experience by integrating reliable medical insurance directly into the travel journey," Aldhaheri said. "Daman is proud to support Etihad Airways and DCT Abu Dhabi in delivering a differentiated offering for visitors, underpinned by access to one of the UAE's most comprehensive medical provider networks."

Boosting Tourism Confidence

By removing the need for separate insurance applications, Etihad described the program as giving visitors "one less thing to think about and one more reason to book." The move comes amid sustained appetite for Abu Dhabi as a bucket-list destination, aiming to capitalize on growing global interest with a more seamless end-to-end travel experience.

The insurance coverage remains in effect for all qualifying bookings made for travel within the specified six-month window starting July 2026.