If you live in the UAE or have kids approaching adulthood, there’s a legal update worth knowing about. Under the new law, adulthood in the UAE will officially start at 18. The change comes under an updated federal law linked to the Civil Transactions Law and replaces the previous age of 21.
In everyday terms, this means:
- full legal responsibility now starts at 18
- from this age, it’s now possible to work full-time, drive, and get married
Adulthood was previously calculated using the Hijri lunar calendar, which is shorter than the Gregorian calendar most people use. Because of that, “21” legally worked out to a little over 20 years old. Switching fully to a Gregorian age of 18 makes the rule easier to understand and apply.
There’s also another update concerning young residents. The age at which a minor can manage their own financial assets has been lowered to 15. The government says this is meant to support teenagers who are already involved in business, digital work, or early entrepreneurial projects, while still keeping legal protections in place.
This is one of the first legal and social updates shaping life in the UAE in 2026, which the country has designated as the Year of the Family. With more changes expected throughout the year, there’s plenty more to keep an eye on. Stay tuned for more news and announcements!
