UAE lowers legal adulthood to 18 under new civil law
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The UAE has introduced legal reforms setting 18 as the age of adulthood, lowering the age at which minors may manage their financial affairs and expanding judicial authority under a new Civil Transactions Law issued by federal decree.
The law reduces the age of majority from 21 lunar years to 18 Gregorian years, aligning the UAE’s legal framework with international standards. Under the previous system, 21 lunar years equated to about 20 years under the Gregorian calendar.
The government said the change ensures consistency across legislation, including juvenile and labour laws.
While 18 is now formally recognised as the age of adulthood, individuals of that age were already permitted to marry, work full-time and drive.
The law also lowers the age at which minors may seek court approval to manage their assets from 18 Hijri years or about 17.5 Gregorian years, to 15 Gregorian years. The government said the measure is intended to support youth participation in economic activity within a regulated legal framework.
Under the reforms, courts will have broader discretion to apply Sharia principles when no relevant legislative provision exists. Courts may also appoint judicial assistants to support individuals with limited capacity to express their will.
The law further states that financial assets in the UAE belonging to foreigners who die without heirs will be designated as charitable endowments.
It also allows courts to combine blood money with additional compensation in cases where death or injury results in material or moral harm not fully covered by such payments.
A new legal framework for non-profit companies has also been introduced, requiring profits to be reinvested into organisational objectives to support sustainability.
The government said the changes form part of broader efforts to modernise the legal system, improve efficiency and strengthen legal certainty across the country.