Legal Age in the UAE: A Comprehensive Guide

The laws in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are stringent. Crime offenders can be sent to jail for violating any rules. However, every law has an age limit, ensuring safety for UAE residents. UAE residents need to understand the laws and become responsible citizens. Violating those laws can lead to serious legal actions, such as hefty financial penalties and imprisonment. Any information related to case or legal advice can also be acquired by hiring our top lawyers. Our lawyers are the top and leading lawyers in Dubai and UAE.

The majority age means that the individual is now declared as an adult in the country’s population. They are independent in their choices. The UAE government considers 21-year-olds the legal majority age. At this age, they are independent and can live a life of their own while complying with UAE laws. Individuals below this age are considered minors, or they need parental guidance as per the legal requirement in any case.

The UAE is a Muslim country. Earlier, alcohol was banned in the UAE because Islam prohibits drinking. However, recently, the UAE government has lifted the ban on alcohol consumption for non-Muslims. Individuals can drink at the age of 21, but drinking is allowed in designated areas in the region. But still, you cannot drink in every emirate. Other emirates where it is not allowed, have banned alcohol consumption. The visitors should know these laws to avoid any legal penalty in the UAE. The buyers of alcohol must have a valid permit that allows them to alcohol consumption. For further help, contact our Dubai Law Firm and book the legal appointment with our top lawyers and legal consultants.

The UAE has a diverse population. People from other nationalities come to the UAE and get married when they have thought to settle there. According to the UAE Federal Laws, an individual can get married if they are 18 or older. The age restriction is applied to boys and girls. However, if there is an underage marriage that has to happen, there should be a valid reason for making it quick, and obviously, consent from parents is essential. The age restriction in marriage is made to ensure the prohibition of early child marriages. The UAE strictly prohibits child marriages; therefore, if there is an underage marriage, the consent of parents and a legal justification shall be shared with the court.

The legal age to get employed in the UAE is 15 years. However, restrictions are applied since they involve minors. Therefore, children working from 15 years to 18 years are restricted from working under hazardous conditions or any labor that threatens their physical safety. Those above 18 years old can get employed full-time if their education is not affected by their work. However, they shall not be working long hours; otherwise, the employer will face serious legal repercussions. The provided information can be outdated or OLD here. Therefore, check with our lawyers before taking a decision. No liability is owned.

There are many road traffic accidents in the UAE, and the government is trying to overcome those accidents by strictly monitoring the roads. However, the legal age to drive depends on the vehicle that you will drive. You can ride a motorcycle at the age of 17, whereas you have to be 18 years old to drive a car. If you are planning to drive heavy vehicles or have a job where you have to drive commercial vehicles, then you should be 21 years old. Driving with violations of traffic rules will result in heavy financial fines and severe consequences.

Voting rights are given to every citizen in the UAE. Individuals can make their first political step by voting at the age of 21. However, voting can only be done by Emirati citizens.

The UAE government carefully works on child rights under its Wadeema Law. However, a child below 11 years of age cannot be held responsible for criminal activity. However, the juvenile courts in the UAE will hold children responsible for criminal offenses from 11 to 18 years of age. They will be sent to rehabilitation centers, where they are trained to get reformed and leave the rehab with a transformed identity.

Smoking is discouraged by many governments. Universities and institutions run awareness campaigns on smoking, so people tend to quit smoking at one point. The UAE government has restricted children from accessing any tobacco product unless they are 18 years and above. Any minor found with a tobacco product will lead to severe consequences for the retailers.

Retail companies know that they cannot sell cigarettes or tobacco products to minors. Violating such rules will result in full inspection and strict penalties against the sellers.

Gambling is prohibited in Sharia law. However, the UAE government approves other ways to win lotteries. Participants must be at least 21 years old. Casinos and other forms of gambling are also banned, as the country ensures respect for all cultures and religions.

A child traveling alone should not be encouraged. A few airlines allow minors to travel alone with certain distinctions. There are services for unaccompanied minors. Children between 5 and 11 years can use those services, whereas children above 11 years and below 15 years can travel alone. They can also ask for minor services if they want to. Therefore, you should always look for airline policies to ensure that your child is well-received at the airport and reach their destination safely.

The UAE government enforces consent for medical treatment. These treatments are serious, and the patient or their guardian has to give consent to the medical staff. Otherwise, the doctors cannot provide medical treatment. If the patient is 21 years old or above, consent should be obtained from them. Patients under the age of 21 should have approval from their parents, but if the medical treatment is urgent, it can be done without obtaining permission from the parents or the patient.

The UAE government wants to ensure that every citizen feels safe in the country and safeguard the rights of every individual, regardless of their caste or religion. Therefore, imposing age restrictions is a necessary step to protect the legal integrity of the country. In case of any issue in the UAE, you can always consult a lawyer who can guide you through the rules related to your matter.