UAE Confirms 18 as the Legal Age of Adulthood: What It Means in Practice

Marhaba International
Jan 2
3 min read

The United Arab Emirates has introduced an important legal clarification: 18 years is now confirmed as the legal age of adulthood across the UAE legal system. This change aligns the UAE with widely accepted international legal standards and has practical implications for residents, families, and businesses alike.

While the concept may appear straightforward, its legal and commercial impact is significant.

What Has Changed?

Under the updated legal framework, an individual acquires full legal capacity at the age of 18. This means that, as a general rule, a person aged 18 or above can independently:

enter into legally binding contracts,
manage and dispose of assets,
initiate or defend legal proceedings,
make personal and financial decisions without a guardian’s consent.

This clarification brings consistency across civil, commercial, and personal status matters, particularly in cases involving expatriates.

Why This Matters for Expats and Families

For expatriate families living in the UAE, the change provides greater legal certainty. Previously, questions often arose around guardianship, consent, and capacity—especially where foreign laws differed from local practice.

Key implications include:

clearer rules on when parental or guardian consent is no longer required,
increased autonomy for young adults studying, working, or investing in the UAE,
more predictable outcomes in civil and commercial transactions.

Business and Commercial Impact

From a business perspective, the reform is equally relevant. Companies, banks, and counterparties can now rely on a clear statutory threshold when assessing contractual capacity.

This reduces legal risk in areas such as:

employment contracts,
shareholdings and investments,
banking and financing arrangements,
commercial guarantees and personal undertakings.

Interaction with Family Law and Wills

Although 18 is now the general age of legal adulthood, family law matters (such as guardianship and inheritance) still require careful planning—particularly for non-Muslim residents.

For example:

guardianship provisions in wills remain essential for minor children,
cross-border estate planning should reflect both UAE law and the individual’s home-country law.

This is where tailored legal advice becomes critical.

A Step Toward Legal Modernisation

This reform is part of the UAE’s broader effort to modernise its legal system and enhance transparency for its diverse population. By clearly defining adulthood at 18, the UAE strengthens legal predictability while respecting international norms.

Does Legal Adulthood at 18 Allow Alcohol Consumption?

No.The confirmation of 18 as the legal age of adulthood does not change the rules on alcohol.

Asset Management from the Age of 15 – with Court Approval

One of the most noteworthy innovations is that minors from the age of 15 may apply for court approval to manage their own assets. This provision replaces the previous threshold of 18 Hijri years and aims to support young people’s economic participation and entrepreneurial potential, while at the same time ensuring appropriate legal supervision and protection.

In practice, this means that a young person aged between 15 and 18 may submit an application to the court, which will assess whether granting asset-management rights serves the minor’s best interests. The judge exercises discretionary powers to determine whether, in the specific case, the young person is capable of managing assets in a responsible and prudent manner.

Further clarification regarding the detailed rules and the types of assets that may be managed under such court approval is expected following publication in the Official UAE Gazette.

Current Legal Position

Legal adulthood: 18 years
Minimum legal age for alcohol purchase and consumption: 21 years

Alcohol in the UAE is regulated under specific licensing and public-order laws, which operate independently from general civil law principles on legal capacity.

Legal clarity matters—especially when it affects personal status, assets, and long-term planning.For expatriates and international investors, understanding how these changes apply in practice is essential.