UAE Lowers Legal Age of Maturity to 18, Aligning with Global Standards

Introduction to the Landmark Legal Shift

The United Arab Emirates has enacted a significant legal reform, officially lowering the age of legal maturity from 21 lunar years to 18 Gregorian years. This change, which came into effect at the start of 2026, is part of a new Federal Decree-Law promulgating the Civil Transactions Law, marking a pivotal step in the nation's ongoing legal modernization efforts. The move aims to align the UAE's legal framework with international standards and empower its young adult population.

Key Changes and Rationale

Previously, the age of legal maturity in civil matters was set at 21 lunar years, which equates to approximately 20 Gregorian years. The new legislation standardizes the age of maturity to 18 Gregorian years, bringing consistency across various national laws, including juvenile and labor statutes, and harmonizing civil and criminal responsibility standards.

The UAE government stated that the reform serves multiple objectives:

• To unify the legal age for full capacity.
• To ensure consistency with other national legislation, such as juvenile and labor laws.
• To harmonize civil and criminal responsibility standards.
• To enhance legal clarity and coherence across the legal system.

This comprehensive update is considered the largest federal law in the UAE and establishes a general framework and foundational principles governing legal acts and contracts among members of society.

Empowering Youth and Economic Impact

The reduction in the age of maturity grants 18-year-olds full legal recognition as adults, with corresponding rights and responsibilities. While individuals aged 18 were already permitted to marry, work full-time, and drive, this new law formally recognizes them as legal adults for civil purposes.

The reform significantly impacts young people's ability to manage their own affairs, allowing them to:

• Independently enter contracts.
• Manage financial affairs, including bank accounts and personal assets.
• Start, register, and run businesses independently, fostering entrepreneurship.

Furthermore, the law lowers the age at which a minor can seek judicial authorization to manage their assets from 18 Hijri years (approximately 17.5 Gregorian years) to 15 Gregorian years. This measure is intended to support entrepreneurship and youth participation in economic activity within a structured legal framework.

Broader Legal Modernization

Beyond the age of maturity, the new Civil Transactions Law introduces broader measures to modernize the UAE's legal environment. It expands the scope of judicial reasoning, granting courts broader discretion to refer to the principles of Islamic Sharia in cases where an applicable legislative provision is absent, without being restricted to a single Sharia doctrine.

The law also includes provisions for enhanced legal capacity and protection of free will, alongside updated rules governing legal acts and contracts. It introduces a duty to disclose fundamental information during pre-contractual negotiations to ensure informed decisions and reduce disputes. In cases of death or injury, the law now allows for the combination of 'diya' (blood money) with additional compensation to ensure full redress for both material and moral harm.