UAE ILOE Insurance Guide 2026: How to Apply, Renew, and Avoid Fines
UAE job loss insurance (ILOE) in 2026: premiums from AED 5 a month, how to subscribe and renew, the AED 400 and AED 200 fines, and how to claim up to 3 months of pay.
By Vadim Kouznetsov, published , updated
Updated 3 October 2026: premiums, fines and claim rules rechecked against the ILOE portal and Cabinet Resolution No. 97 of 2022, plus the current subscription channels.
If you work in the UAE private sector or the federal government, you must hold Involuntary Loss of Employment (ILOE) insurance. It costs AED 5 or AED 10 a month and pays part of your salary for up to 3 months if you lose your job through no fault of your own.
Skipping it is expensive: unpaid fines can be taken from your salary and can stop you getting a new work permit. Here is how the scheme works in 2026.
What is ILOE insurance?
ILOE is the UAE's unemployment insurance scheme, set up under Federal Decree-Law No. 13 of 2022 and run day to day under Cabinet Resolution No. 97 of 2022. It covers Emiratis and residents in the private sector and federal government. The ILOE portal names Dubai Insurance as the scheme's insurer.
These groups are exempt:
- Investors (business owners)
- Domestic workers
- Workers on temporary contracts
- Under-18s
- Retirees who receive a pension and have joined a new employer
ILOE premiums and benefits in 2026
| Category A | Category B | |
|---|---|---|
| Basic salary | AED 16,000 or less | Over AED 16,000 |
| Premium | AED 5 a month + VAT | AED 10 a month + VAT |
| Maximum monthly benefit | AED 10,000 | AED 20,000 |
The benefit is 60% of your basic salary, capped as above, for up to 3 months per claim. Across your whole working life in the UAE, you can receive a maximum of 12 months of benefits in total.
How to subscribe or renew
The free, direct channels are the ILOE portal (iloe.ae) and the ILOE mobile app:
- Choose "Subscribe" and select your sector.
- Enter your Emirates ID and verify your mobile number by OTP.
- Pick a policy of 1 or 2 years and a payment frequency.
- Pay and download your certificate.
You can also subscribe through Al Ansari Exchange, Tawjeeh and Tasheel business centres, UPay and MBME kiosks, and some apps such as C3Pay and Botim. These indirect channels add a service charge.
Renewal matters as much as signing up. A policy lasts 1 or 2 years, so note the end date and renew before it lapses. Our ILOE renewal guide covers the renewal screens.
ILOE fines: what they are and how to check
Under Cabinet Resolution No. 97 of 2022:
- AED 400 if you fail to subscribe to the scheme.
- AED 200 if you stop paying premiums for more than 3 months.
If you miss premiums for 3 months, you can also lose your cover and have to buy a new policy, which starts from the date you buy it. That restarts the clock on the 12 months you need before you can claim.
Unpaid fines can be deducted from your salary through the Wage Protection System or from your end-of-service gratuity. Gulf News has also reported that workers with outstanding ILOE fines cannot be issued a new work permit, which can hold up a job change.
To check for fines, use the "ILOE Quick Pay" service linked from the MOHRE website, or the ILOE portal and app.
How to claim ILOE benefits
You can claim if:
- you have paid premiums for at least 12 consecutive months, on time;
- you lost your job for reasons other than resignation or disciplinary dismissal;
- you hold legal residence and are in the UAE, and there is no absconding report against you;
- you file the claim within 30 days of your job ending, or of a court ruling on your labour complaint.
Under the resolution, the insurer must pay within 2 weeks of receiving a valid claim, a point the government's Dubai.ae portal repeats. Each claim pays for up to 3 months. Our guide on how to claim ILOE compensation in 5 steps walks through the claim form.
While you claim, it pays to keep applying: you can browse live UAE jobs on JobXDubai.
Key takeaway
ILOE costs AED 5 or AED 10 a month and can pay up to 60% of your basic salary for 3 months after an involuntary job loss. Subscribe as soon as you start work, renew before your 1 or 2-year policy ends, and pay on time, or you face AED 400 and AED 200 fines that can block your next work permit.
FAQ
Is ILOE insurance mandatory in the UAE in 2026?
Yes, for Emiratis and residents in the private sector and federal government. Investors, domestic workers, temporary-contract workers, under-18s and pension-receiving retirees in a new job are exempt.
What is the fine for not paying ILOE insurance?
AED 400 for not subscribing and AED 200 for leaving premiums unpaid for more than 3 months. Unpaid fines can be deducted from your salary or gratuity.
Can I claim ILOE if I resign?
No. The scheme only pays for involuntary job loss. Resignation and dismissal for disciplinary reasons are excluded.
How long do I need to pay ILOE before I can claim?
At least 12 consecutive months, with every premium paid on time. You must also claim within 30 days of your job ending.
Does ILOE renew automatically?
Policies are bought for 1 or 2 years, so check your end date on the ILOE portal or app and renew before it runs out. A gap can leave you uninsured and open to fines.
Further reading
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