The UAE has officially lowered the legal age of maturity from 21 to 18 under a newly issued federal decree law that updates the country’s Civil Transactions Law.
Under the revised legislation, individuals aged 18 are now permitted to independently manage their financial affairs and assets. The law also allows those aged 15 and above to apply for judicial permission to administer their property, marking a significant shift in how financial guardianship is defined.
Authorities said the move is aimed at empowering young people, supporting entrepreneurship and aligning the legal framework with modern social and economic realities.
The decree law has been described as the most comprehensive and unified civil transactions legislation introduced in the UAE to date. It brings wide-ranging reforms designed to modernise legal practice and strengthen protections across civil and commercial relationships.
Key provisions introduce clearer rules governing compensation, contracts, insurance, sales and professional activities, helping to resolve long-standing legal ambiguities and ensure greater consistency in court rulings.
Among the notable changes is a provision allowing diya, commonly referred to as blood money, to be combined with additional compensation or Arsh. This ensures full redress in cases of death or injury where moral or material damages may not be adequately covered by diya alone.
The law also establishes a new regulatory framework for non-profit companies, setting out clear guidelines for their operation in line with recent legislative amendments. This is intended to reinforce the role of non-profits in supporting community initiatives and sustainable development across the country.
Officials said the reforms reflect the UAE’s ongoing efforts to build a flexible, forward-looking legal system that supports economic growth while enhancing individual rights and protections.
