From 1 June 2026 the UAE will officially recognise 18-year-olds as having full legal capacity under Federal Decree-Law 25 of 2025. A briefing published yesterday by international law firm Weightmans confirms that the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and on-shore courts will apply the new threshold to wills, contracts and guardianship matters.
For multinational employers, the reform removes a long-standing grey area that prevented 18- to 20-year-old assignees and interns from legally signing housing leases, mobile-phone contracts or local bank mandates without parental consent. HR teams will be able to onboard young talent more quickly, while universities hosting international students expect smoother visa renewals because financial-sponsor requirements will relax.
![UAE Lowers Age of Majority to 18: What It Means for Expat Wills, Contracts and Mobility]()
For anyone who suddenly finds they need a UAE entry permit, residence visa amendment or dependent-student application processed under the updated age rules, VisaHQ can streamline the paperwork. The agency’s UAE specialists handle document checks, form submission and appointment scheduling, keeping applicants compliant and saving HR departments time; learn more at https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/
Private-wealth advisers are urging expatriates to update existing UAE wills. Beneficiaries will now inherit at 18 instead of 21, a change that may accelerate access to family assets. Companies operating share-save or employee-ownership plans will likewise need to amend plan rules to ensure minors’ holdings comply with the new age limit.
Practically, mobility managers should review template employment contracts, relocation policies and accommodation agreements to delete outdated references to the 21-year majority. Insurers have already indicated that health-coverage premiums for 18- to 20-year-olds will be priced as adults from June, slightly increasing total assignment costs.
For multinational employers, the reform removes a long-standing grey area that prevented 18- to 20-year-old assignees and interns from legally signing housing leases, mobile-phone contracts or local bank mandates without parental consent. HR teams will be able to onboard young talent more quickly, while universities hosting international students expect smoother visa renewals because financial-sponsor requirements will relax.
For anyone who suddenly finds they need a UAE entry permit, residence visa amendment or dependent-student application processed under the updated age rules, VisaHQ can streamline the paperwork. The agency’s UAE specialists handle document checks, form submission and appointment scheduling, keeping applicants compliant and saving HR departments time; learn more at https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/
Private-wealth advisers are urging expatriates to update existing UAE wills. Beneficiaries will now inherit at 18 instead of 21, a change that may accelerate access to family assets. Companies operating share-save or employee-ownership plans will likewise need to amend plan rules to ensure minors’ holdings comply with the new age limit.
Practically, mobility managers should review template employment contracts, relocation policies and accommodation agreements to delete outdated references to the 21-year majority. Insurers have already indicated that health-coverage premiums for 18- to 20-year-olds will be priced as adults from June, slightly increasing total assignment costs.
