Do expats need a will in the UAE?
6 min read · Updated 24 August 2026
Short answer: if you live in the UAE, own anything here — a bank account, a car, an apartment, end-of-service benefits — or have children here, a registered UAE will is the only document that lets YOU decide what happens to them. Without one, fixed statutory rules decide instead.
This guide explains what a UAE will covers, who it's for, and the registration routes available to expats.
Why a will written back home usually isn't enough
Many expats assume a will made in the UK, India, the Philippines or elsewhere covers their UAE life. In practice, foreign wills are frequently not accepted for UAE assets: differences in language, legal systems, witnessing and notarisation mean local rules end up applying anyway — after months of court proceedings your family has to manage from abroad or in grief.
A will registered inside the UAE, on the courts' own forms, in the courts' own registry, removes that gap for your UAE assets.
What a UAE civil will lets you decide
- Who inherits your UAE assets — bank accounts, property, vehicles, investments, end-of-service benefits — and in what shares.
- Who becomes the guardian of your children under 21, both immediately (an interim guardian) and permanently.
- Who acts as your executor — the person who collects your assets, settles debts, and distributes the estate.
- Backup beneficiaries: what happens to a share if someone you named cannot inherit.
Who can register one
The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) civil wills service is open to non-UAE, non-GCC nationals who meet the court's legal-capacity and age requirements. Notably, ADJD's published guidance allows non-citizen residents to register a civil will regardless of religion — Muslim expats included.
A will registered with ADJD is recognised across all seven emirates — you don't need a separate will for Dubai or Sharjah.
When you should talk to a lawyer instead
A guided online will fits most straightforward situations: a family that wants everything to go to the spouse then children, named guardians, an executor. If your situation involves cross-border estates, business ownership, or a contested family setup, get independent legal advice — that's not a sales line, it's genuinely the right tool for those cases.
Frequently asked
Is a UAE will only for people with property?
No. Bank accounts, cars, investments and end-of-service benefits are all part of your estate — and guardianship of children under 21 can matter more than any asset. Many parents register a will primarily for the guardianship section.
Does a will registered in Abu Dhabi work in Dubai?
Yes. An ADJD-registered will is recognised across all seven emirates, including Dubai.
Can Muslims register a UAE civil will?
Under ADJD's current published guidance, non-UAE-citizens can register a civil will regardless of religion.
Make your UAE will in about 20 minutes
Guided questions on the official ADJD form — see your finished bilingual will before paying anything.
Keep reading
General information about the process, not legal advice about your circumstances — see our Disclaimer. Figures and procedures reflect published information at the date above; courts can change forms, fees and requirements at any time.