The UAE has introduced new Federal Personal Status Law, Federal Decree-Law No. (41) of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law, which will take effect from April 15, 2025. This new law has simplified the marriage laws thereby enabling couples to know their rights and obligations when entering into a marriage in Dubai and other emirates of the UAE.
This article provides information on the recent changes to marriage laws in Dubai and discusses aspects such as the age of marriage, parental permission, marital homes, and engagement. This guide is intended to assist those who are planning to marry in the UAE with the new regulations.
Key Changes in UAE Marriage Law 2025
The new marriage law has made easy and simplified and more flexible procedures and thus would be beneficial for both the citizens and expatriates.
Here’s a breakdown of the major legal changes:
The Legal Age of Marriage in the UAE
- The legal marriage age in the UAE is 18 years.
- If a person is below this age he/she has to get special permission from the court to marry.
- If a person who has not reached the age of (18) eighteen Gregorian years requests marriage and his guardian refuses to get him married, the person may bring the matter to court.
Parental or Guardian Consent
- If the guardian – even if he is the father- refuses to let a woman marry a man of her equal status to whom she has consented and with a usual dowry, the Court shall, at the woman’s instance or that of an interested party, perform the marriage.
- This provision guarantees that individuals have the right to decide on marriage when they are adults even though their guardians are against it.
Women’s Right to Choose Their Spouse
- Women are now allowed to marry whom they want regardless of their guardian’s permission.
- Non-citizen Muslim wives do not need parental consent if it is not a requirement in her home country’s law.
Age Gap Between Spouses
- If the age difference between the couple is more than 30 years, then the marriage can only take place with the permission of the court.
Marital Homes in the UAE
The new law has also provided some clarity on the living arrangements of married couples:
- Right to a Suitable Marital Home: The wife shall live with her husband in a suitable marital home unless the marriage contract provides otherwise.
- Consent for Additional Occupants: If the spouses jointly own, rent or provide the marital house, neither of them may have anyone live with them except with the consent of the other party.
- Living with Husband’s Family: The husband may have his parents and children from another wife live with his wife in the marital house, if he is responsible for their maintenance, provided that this does not cause harm to the wife.
- Wife’s Children from a Previous Marriage: The wife can live with her children from a previous marriage in the marital house if they have no guardian other than her, or if they would be harmed by her separation, or if the husband agrees to that explicitly or implicitly. The husband has the right to withdraw if he is harmed by that.
- Housing for Multiple Wives: The husband may have more than one wife living in the same building, provided that the housing is suitable, each wife has almost complete independence in the housing in all aspects, for example, sanitary and service facilities, entrances and exits, and the court may add other conditions based on the request of the aggrieved wife.
Understanding Engagement Laws in the UAE
Engagement is a man’s request to marry a woman who is permissible for him and a promise to marry her. Engagement is not deemed to be a marriage.
Reclaiming Engagement Gifts
- If an engagement is called off, gifts can be reclaimed only if they meet the following criteria:
- only gifts conditional on the completion of the marriage shall be returned only the gifts that were given in relation to the marriage would be returned,
- The item is not a consumable product.
- Valuable gifts each of which exceeds (25,000) twenty-five thousand dirhams in value.
- If these conditions are met, the gift must be returned either in its original form, otherwise by their equivalent or their value on the day of receipt, unless the gift is consumable by nature.
- If the engagement is terminated by death or for a reason that is beyond the control of either party, then none of the gifts can be called back.
Why These Updates Matter for Couples in Dubai
The new marriage law is important as it simplifies and updates the legal framework for marriages in the UAE. The new regulations are indicative of the country’s commitment to legal reform and modernization by allowing for greater flexibility and ensuring that all parties are treated fairly.
Expatriates and women especially are the main beneficiaries of these changes, which provide them with more options to control their marital choices and thus also legal protection and fairness in marriage related issues.
How Marriage Lawyers at Dubai Court Marriage can Assist You
Understanding and navigating the new marriage laws in the UAE can be rather complicated especially if you are an expatriate or come from a different cultural background. At Dubai Court Marriage, our Marriage Lawyers can assist you with:
- Understanding your legal rights and obligations under the new marriage laws.
- Drafting and verifying marriage contracts to ensure they are compliant with the UAE laws.
- Providing legal advice on parental consent, engagement disputes and marriage procedures.
- Advising in the event of age differences or guardian objections, assistance with court approvals.
For expert legal advice on how to make your marriage process smooth and legally binding, get in touch with our experienced Marriage Lawyers at Dubai Court Marriage today.
