A surprising number of British expats in Dubai have a will sitting in a drawer back in the UK and assume that's the job done. Unfortunately, it usually isn't. Anything you own in the UAE, whether that's a flat, a bank account or a stake in a business, is dealt with under local rules, and a UK will on its own often isn't enough.
It's not the most exciting part of moving abroad, and nobody likes thinking about it. But a few hours spent on it now can spare your family months of stress later.
Two systems, depending on your religion
The UAE has two inheritance systems, and which one applies depends on your religion rather than your passport.
- Muslims, including British Muslims, follow Sharia-based rules where each relative's share is fixed, and a will can only direct up to a third of the estate.
- Non-Muslims fall under a civil law introduced in 2022, which lets you leave your estate to whoever you like, but only if you've made a will.
What happens if you don't have a will
If you haven't made one, the law decides for you. Your spouse gets half and your children share the rest equally. That might sound fair enough, but the real problem is time:
- Banks tend to freeze accounts once they learn of a death, sometimes even joint ones.
- Property can't be transferred until a court confirms who inherits.
It's not unusual for a widow or widower to find they can't touch the money they need for rent or school fees for weeks, sometimes months.
Putting it right
The fix is fairly simple:
- Register a UAE will. Non-Muslims can register one with DIFC Courts, Dubai Courts or the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department. Fees vary between them.
- Name guardians. If you have children under 18, a UAE will is also where you name their guardians, which is reason enough on its own.
- Make your wills work together. Your UK and UAE wills should be written so one doesn't accidentally cancel the other.
- Remember UK inheritance tax. Leaving the UK doesn't automatically take you out of it.
Next steps
If you'd like to get this sorted, we can introduce you to a Dubai inheritance lawyer who works with British expats every day. Have your passport, Emirates ID, title deeds and a rough list of your accounts handy, and the first conversation will be quick.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules can change, so speak to a qualified lawyer about your own circumstances.