UAE to lower the age of adulthood: what the new law means for you
From 1 June, the UAE will recognise adulthood from age 18 rather than 21. Here is what is changing and why it matters.
The United Arab Emirates is set to officially lower the legal age of adulthood from 21 to 18, in a change due to come into force on Monday 1 June.
The move was first announced last year as part of a Federal Decree-Law promulgating the Civil Transactions Law. In practical terms, it is designed to strengthen the rights of young people, particularly when it comes to managing their own financial affairs.
At a glance
- •The legal age of adulthood will move from 21 lunar Hijri years to 18 Gregorian years.
- •The change is intended to unify the age of full legal capacity.
- •It also aligns civil rules more closely with labour, juvenile and criminal responsibility standards.
- •A younger threshold will also apply for managing certain financial assets.
What is changing?
Under the new law, the legal age of adulthood will be lowered from 21 lunar Hijri years to 18 Gregorian years. Because lunar years are slightly shorter than Gregorian years, the previous threshold effectively applied at around 20 and a half in Gregorian terms.
The government says the change will create a clearer and more consistent legal standard across the country. People aged 18 in the UAE can already marry, work full-time and drive. The new rule means that adulthood in civil law will now match that same age more closely.
Why does it matter?
The biggest practical effect is expected to be around legal and financial independence. Once the law comes into force, 18-year-olds will have full legal capacity under the Civil Transactions Law, making it easier for them to manage their own affairs without waiting until 21.
“The change is aimed at bringing legal adulthood into line with the realities of work, responsibility and participation in modern life.”
What could this mean in everyday life?
For many young adults, the change may make legal and financial processes more straightforward. It should mean greater independence when entering contracts, managing money and taking responsibility for personal decisions.
Some reports have suggested that other age-linked rules, such as the legal drinking age, could also be affected in future. However, no separate change to those rules has been confirmed as part of this announcement, so it is best not to assume anything beyond what has been formally stated.
Why does the law mention lunar and Gregorian years?
The previous threshold was tied to the Islamic Hijri calendar, which is based on lunar cycles. The new threshold uses the Gregorian calendar, which is the solar calendar used in most everyday official and international contexts.
Since a lunar year is around 10 to 12 days shorter than a Gregorian year, moving to a Gregorian-based age also removes some confusion and makes the rule easier to understand.
Part of a wider legal update
The age change is one part of a much broader legal reform. The Civil Transactions Law is described as the largest federal law in the UAE and sets out the general framework for legal acts and contracts across society.
The law also introduces updated provisions covering free will, legal capacity, pre-contractual negotiations, nonprofit companies, sales contracts, insurance provisions and works contracts.