In UAE the demand for home care market, with revenue of $1.83 Bn in 2022, is projected to grow at an 8.93% CAGR between 2022 and 2030 to reach $3.59 Bn in 2030. The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific has forecast that the UAE population aged 65 will reach 298 million, or 17% of the country’s total population, by 2051.
This increases the need to start home healthcare businesses in Dubai. The home care company in Dubai can be both lucrative and rewarding as the demand for healthcare services in the region is increasing.
So, in this guide, we’ll discuss how to start a home care business in Dubai, from knowing about Dubai’s healthcare market to legal issues to setting up your home care nursing business and then marketing your business setup services.
Why Start a Home Care Nursing Company In Dubai?
Here’s why starting a home care nursing company in Dubai is beneficial:
- A Growing Aging Population
Like many other parts of the world, Dubai is seeing the ageing population rise. As people age, their healthcare needs are no longer simple and involve nursing care that family members are unable to provide many times.
- Career-Oriented Families
Many expatriates in Dubai are working professionals and, therefore, struggle to provide ongoing special care to their ageing family members as they are at work.
- Emphasis on Quality of Life
Dubai residents value their quality of life, and having access to all forms of high-quality healthcare from their own homes is a very positive thing.
Home healthcare company in Dubai is an advantageous business. It provides a tax-free environment, a prime destination, ease of setting up your business, and a business-friendly landscape in Dubai. Let’s discuss other benefits you may get by opening a successful home care centre in Dubai:
- A large client base
- Well-set infrastructure
- It is easy to set up a home healthcare nursing centre.
- Optimal growth possibilities
- You don’t have to pay income or corporation tax.
- Goods and services are free of customs taxes.
- There are extensive customs real estate options in the city.
- You get to network with people in the healthcare sector.
- It also allows full foreign ownership of your business.
Requirement To Start A Home Healthcare Center In Dubai
To establish a home health care centre without any objection in Dubai, you must comply with the requirements and documentation promulgated by Dubai Health Authority.
Not meeting all legal obligations provided for the home healthcare setting will lead to the rejection of your business license application. The following is a list of requirements that you must fulfil before moving towards the process of starting a home care centre:
- Dubai’s home health care centre should have a minimum of 08 qualified nurses available.
- Of the 08 qualified nurses, 02 should be registered on the DHA. The remaining six nurses should be qualified by the DHA qualifications.
- When setting up a home care service in Dubai, all the facilities and the necessary tools must be installed. As mentioned, all the facilities and medical tools should have appropriate quality certifications.
- An office space of a minimum 12 sq meters is mandatory. Before issuing the business license, the DHA would inspect the office space. You should check whether your home health care centre has fulfilled the DHA standards.
- An MBBS-qualified doctor approved by DHA must be a medical director of the home care company.
After fulfilling all these conditions, the application is forwarded for a business license to allow service in-home care in Dubai. If the application and documents are correct, you will receive the trading or business license in a few days. Business licenses may also be used when processing visas for your employees.
Mandatory Regulations for Setting up Home Health Care Centre In Dubai
If you want your business to operate legally and comply with all regulations, you must fulfil a few more mandatory regulations.
Dubai authorities are strict regarding issuing licenses and if something went wrong they will take serious actions, such as cancelling the business license. Therefore, let us take a look at the mandatory regulations for home care in Dubai:
- The Ejari must be concluded with the property owner from whom you have rented or leased the office space. According to RERA orders, the Ejari, or tenancy contract, must be registered at the Department of Economic Development. This decreases the chance of altercations between the owner and tenant.
- The office of the home healthcare Centre in Dubai must keep the business license. The DHA carries out inspections without intimation. In some cases, they may do verification checks for approvals and licenses. You must submit the certificate if you are pursuing it. Consequently, keep records of business licenses and approval certificates in a suitable condition at the office.
- To start a home care company in Dubai, there must be an MBBS-qualified doctor and 08 verified nurses. They should meet the subject qualification requirements.
How to Setup a Home Healthcare Business In Dubai?
Following are the steps that you need to follow for starting home care nursing services in Dubai:
1. Identifying Your Niche
First, it’s important to identify your place in the home care industry.
This could include:
- Elderly Care: Helping with daily activities, managing medicine, and providing company.
- Pediatric Care: Specialized care for children with chronic illnesses or disabilities.
- Post-Operative Care: Provides post-surgical or hospital stay support.
- Specialised Medical Care: Designed to serve certain medical groups, such as diabetes, cancer, or cardiovascular disease.
Once you identify your niche, tailoring your homecare services and marketing efforts to attract your clients becomes easier.
2. Meet Requirements and Licensing
Dubai offers a different business structure: Sole Ownership, Partnership, and Limited Liability Company. An LLC is the most common structure for a home care business because it protects the owner against liability and allows for multiple shareholders.
Depending on the business you will be carrying, you may also consider setting up in a free zone, as you will have 100% ownership and tax benefits, but you will have restrictions on the types of services you can offer.
Moreover, to start a home care business in Dubai, you need to get a license from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA).
The process involves several steps:
- You need to submit an application to the DHA, which includes your business plan, proposed services, and key personnel qualifications.
- If you only provide medical services, you must have your facility approved by DHA to meet DHA equipment and safety requirements.
- All healthcare professionals, including nurses and caregivers, must have a DHA license.
- Finally, once you’ve satisfied your requirements, you will receive your license and begin operating legally.
Starting a home care business in Dubai is quite complex – navigating through the various licensing and structural requirements – however, Xpert Advisory can help you with this. Our business setup consultants will walk you through choosing the most popular structure for businesses that matches your goal.
3. Insurance
You must have enough insurance coverage for your home care business. This includes professional liability insurance, general liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance. These policies will protect your business, employees and even your clients in the case of accidents, malpractice claims and other liabilities.
4. Location and Facility
Although a home care business is conducted largely in clients’ homes, a physical office is required for administrative duties and client meetings. Pick a place that’s convenient and can fit your personnel and tools. If you decide to begin providing medical services, the facility must meet the DHA requirement and have all the required medical equipment.
5. Hiring Staff
Your home care business depends on your staff. Hire qualified, experienced healthcare professionals. Make sure all of the healthcare professionals are DHA licensed and are holding proper qualifications stated by the DHA since their industry is always evolving. Moreover, in case any of your staff resign, a replacement must be hired quickly.
6. Equipment and Supplies
Based on the services you give, the assistance you should have may vary.
This could include:
- Blood pressure monitors, thermometers, and stethoscopes.
- Wheelchairs, walkers, crutches.
- Oxygen tanks, nebulisers, and means of infusion.
Ensure that all equipment is always maintained according to DHA standards.
7. Market Your Nursing Services In Dubai
To differentiate yourself in Dubai’s highly competitive home care market, one must create a strong brand identity. Your brand must match your company’s values, mission, and the quality of services it provides. This entails a professional logo, a user-friendly website, and uniform branding everywhere marketing materials are used.
Digital Marketing
Digital marketing is used to reach a wider audience and attract potential clients. Some effective digital marketing strategies include:
- Your website must contain detailed information about your services, cost and contact information. Promote your services by having a blog and include client testimonials.
- Optimise your website with SEO-related keywords like “Home Care Business in Dubai” to rank higher or top.
If you’re willing or can partner with online ads, run targeted ads on Google and Social media platforms to reach prospective clients.
Offline Marketing
Digital marketing is important, yet offline marketing should not be overlooked. These can include:
- Attend healthcare conferences, workshops and community events to network with potential clients and other industry members.
- Use clinics, hospitals and healthcare providers to build referral relationships.
- Brochures, flyers and business cards print materials to distribute at hospitals, clinics, and other community centres.
8. Financial Management
Gone are the days when starting up your home care business was cheap. You must set money aside for licensing fees, equipment costs, staff salaries, and marketing expenses. Make a budget to help you control your money. Look at funding options: your savings, bank loans or even investors to fund the startup costs.
Pricing Strategy
Your prices should be based on the service quality and market demand. Check how your competitors price and have flexible pricing packages for a different segment of clients. Make sure you price out all your operating expenses plus a decent profit margin.
Financial Tracking
Monitor your financial performance regularly to ensure you are running the business sustainably. Use accounting software to record and track income, expenses, and cash flow. It can help you discover places to improve and decide what to do financially.
9. Issues in Legal and Ethics
Make sure your home care business abides by all local regulations and DHA requirements. Modern-day healthcare is very heavy on standardisation, including appropriate documentation, renewing licenses, following healthcare standards, etc. By doing regular audits and inspections, you can easily stay compliant and avoid legal issues.
Patient Confidentiality
It’s essential in the home care business to maintain patient confidentiality. Store all client information securely and only to authorised personnel. Train your staff on what personal information categories are created from existing products, how your policies work, and why confidentiality is important for your firm clients.
Quality Assurance
Establish a quality assurance program to track and enhance the quality of your delivered services. Regular staff training, client feedback and internal audits are part of this. Good services will portray a good image and better performance of your client.
Final Words
Starting a home care company in Dubai is a great and very promising business. With over 20,000 seniors and a proportion of Americans with children in college, there’s a large ageing population and a community of career-oriented individuals with quality living in mind, making home care services more prevalent than ever. So, if you’re thinking about how to start a home care company in Dubai, you need to follow the right compliances, hire staff, and get marketing right.
Do you wish to start your own home care company in Dubai? At Xpert Advisory, we work with entrepreneurs like yourself to simplify the setup process. Contact us now to secure the relevant licenses, develop a solid business plan and be right there with you every step of the way!
FAQs
How Much Does It Cost To Open A Clinic In Dubai?
The average cost to start a medical clinic in Dubai is not below 80,000 AED*.
How Do People In Dubai Pay For Healthcare?
The public healthcare is free for Emirati nationals in the UAE. But, non-residents will be charged much more for treatment at a hospital or clinic. However, both public and private institutions have subsidised costs and a high standard of care.
