UAE Lowers Legal Adulthood Age To 18 In Civil Law Overhaul

2026-01-02 06:09:40

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) Abu Dhabi ~ The United Arab Emirates has formally lowered the legal age of adulthood to 18, marking a major shift in its civil legal framework aimed at modernising governance and supporting greater youth participation in the economy.

The change is part of a newly issued Federal Decree Law enacting the Civil Transactions Law, which establishes a unified framework governing civil rights, obligations, and legal dealings nationwide. State news agency WAM described the legislation as a“pivotal legislative milestone” designed to enhance clarity, consistency, and ease of application across the legal system.

Under the new law, the age of majority has been reduced from 21 lunar (Hijri) years to 18 Gregorian years, aligning the UAE with prevailing international legal standards. Officials said the reform unifies the legal age for full civil capacity and brings civil law into harmony with juvenile, labour, and criminal responsibility statutes, providing greater certainty for contracts, employment, and financial transactions involving young adults.

While 18-year-olds in the UAE were already permitted to marry, work full time, and drive, the change formally recognises them as legal adults for civil purposes. A person previously deemed an adult at 21 lunar years would be around 20 under the Gregorian calendar, a discrepancy the government said necessitated reform.

The law also lowers the age at which a minor may seek judicial approval to manage their own assets from about 17.5 years to 15 Gregorian years. Authorities said the move is intended to encourage entrepreneurship and early economic engagement within a regulated and supervised legal framework.

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