UAE lowers the age of majority to 18

The legal change aims to strengthen young people’s rights regarding the management of their own financial affairs and to standardize the age of full legal capacity. The new regulations are also intended to ensure greater consistency with other regulations, including labor law and provisions concerning minors.

People aged 18 can already get married, work full-time, and drive vehicles. Experts point out, however, that the new law may also lead to a lowering of the minimum age for drinking alcohol in the future.

The amendment also addresses financial matters. The age at which minors can independently manage their financial assets has been lowered from 18 to 15.