The UK has lifted its travel warning for the UAE, a move expected to be welcomed by residents and tourists. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) confirmed in a directive issued on June 18 that it no longer advises citizens against non-essential travel to the United Arab Emirates.

The news follows the signing of a peace agreement between the US and Iran this week.

The FCDO travel warnings for travel from the UK to Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain have also been lifted.

The decision is seen as positive news for British residents in the UAE and tourists planning trips to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the Northern Emirates, as they were previously unable to obtain valid travel insurance while the "do not travel" warning was in place.

The UK is not the only country to ease regional travel restrictions. Australia also downgraded its travel advisory for the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait on Wednesday from "do not travel" to "reconsider your need to travel."

Greater peace of mind for travelers

To provide further peace of mind for travelers returning to the UAE, the country’s two major airlines, Emirates and Etihad Airways, have introduced new travel insurance policies.

Emirates announced on June 17 that it is offering an industry-first travel insurance product that includes medical coverage for conflict-related incidents, along with airline-managed hotel stay support and assistance for extended stays in various travel disruption scenarios.

The insurance has been available to customers since Wednesday, June 17, and must be added to the ticket at the time of booking or through the Manage Booking section. Pricing depends on the country of residence, duration of travel, and the purchase market, and is available in the following markets:

Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kuwait, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.

Starting from July 2026, passengers flying with Etihad Airways will automatically receive free travel medical insurance for up to 15 days during their stay in the UAE.

The scheme, launched by Etihad Airways in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and the National Health Insurance Company (Daman), will be available from July to December 2026.

The insurance is automatically included in eligible Etihad Airways tickets, meaning passengers do not need to complete forms or submit separate applications.