The UAE has officially reduced the legal age of adulthood from 21 to 18 years under a newly enacted Civil Transactions Law, marking a significant shift in the country’s legal framework that will take effect in 2026.
Lawmakers introduced this reform to align the UAE with international standards by switching from the lunar-based calculation of age to the more widely used Gregorian calendar, eliminating inconsistencies and clarifying individuals’ legal status.
Under the updated law, individuals who are 18 and older will be recognised as adults with full legal capacity — meaning they can enter contracts, manage assets, handle financial and legal decisions, and act independently without needing parental consent in most civil matters.
Shifting from the Hijri (lunar) calendar to the Gregorian calendar removes confusion caused by the shorter lunar year and better aligns legal age with international documents like passports and birth certificates, which simplifies cross-border legal and commercial interactions.
The change is part of broader civil law reforms intended to modernise the UAE’s legal system, offering clearer rules on civil capacity while harmonising how rights and responsibilities are recognised across labour, criminal, and financial laws.
Beyond reducing the age of majority, the law also allows minors aged 15 and above to apply for court permission to manage their own financial assets, further promoting youth engagement in economic activity within a structured legal framework.
