The Civil Transactions Law effective from June 2026 contains specific conflict-of-law rules for succession and wills. It expressly provides for UAE law to govern a foreigner’s will concerning immovable property located in the UAE.
The applicable personal status system also matters: civil inheritance and will rules differ from other personal status arrangements. Before calculating shares or preparing a will, assess the individual’s circumstances, the relevant assets and the authority that will handle the estate.
Prepare an inventory of assets, debts, ownership documents and existing wills, avoiding inconsistent testamentary arrangements. A will does not itself eliminate estate debts or administration requirements, and an asset is not necessarily immediately available for withdrawal following a death.
A practical next step
List assets and debts with their country and registered owner, then check existing wills against the relevant legal regime and receiving authority.
Official sources
Adapted from a photo post shared on Dr. Bahrami’s Instagram and checked against official sources. This page provides the updated guidance.
Original Instagram post