A will in Dubai: why you need one as a property owner
Nobody likes talking about death. But if you own property in Dubai, you should decide what happens to it – otherwise the law decides. Here you’ll find out what applies without a will, how to register one by video call and why it has to fit with the rules in your home country.
In short: We clearly recommend a will in Dubai. You can register it with the DIFC Courts Wills Service – without UAE residence and entirely by video call. It decides who gets your property. Make sure it fits with your will and the inheritance and tax rules at home.
What happens in Dubai without a will
Since February 2023, a separate federal law has applied to non-Muslim foreigners. It determines who inherits if there is no will:
- The spouse inherits half.
- The other half is shared equally among the children – sons and daughters alike.
| Example: spouse and two children | Share |
|---|---|
| Spouse | 50% |
| Child 1 | 25% |
| Child 2 | 25% |
At first glance, that sounds fair. But does it suit your situation? Perhaps you want to provide better for your spouse, consider children from different relationships or include someone who doesn’t appear in this rule at all. That is exactly what a will is for.
The open question for owners living abroad
According to its wording, the law applies to foreigners who live in the UAE. Whether it also applies to owners who live abroad has not been conclusively settled.
If it doesn’t, the UAE’s general inheritance rules may apply – and these are based on Islamic law: fixed shares, sons inherit twice as much as daughters, and the spouse receives only a small portion. In addition, the property may be frozen until a court has settled the succession. For your family, that can take months.
Registering a will with the DIFC Courts
The DIFC Courts are the courts of the Dubai International Financial Centre. They run a Wills Service specifically for non-Muslims. The best part:
- You don’t need UAE residence.
- Registration can be done entirely by video call – witnesses can also join from abroad.
For property, a Property Will is usually sufficient; it covers up to five properties in the UAE. If you also want to cover bank accounts, company shares or guardianship of your children, there is the more comprehensive Full Will. The fees depend on the type of will; the current list is on the DIFC Courts website.
So you don’t have to fly to Dubai to arrange your will.
Inheritance tax: your home country decides
There is no inheritance or gift tax in the UAE. That doesn’t necessarily mean your heirs are tax-free.
Many countries levy inheritance or gift tax on worldwide assets if the deceased or the heir lives there – including property in Dubai. Other countries have abolished inheritance tax. Your home country’s inheritance law may also contain rules such as forced heirship for children that your Dubai will should take into account.
Your next steps
- Think about what you want: Who should inherit your property in Dubai – and in what shares?
- Look at your will at home: Both wills should fit together and not contradict each other.
- Register your will with the DIFC Courts: by video call, without UAE residence.
- Clarify the legal and tax side at home: with a lawyer and a tax adviser in your country of residence.
We help you with your will
If you buy with us, we help you draw up your will at no extra cost. You only pay the official DIFC Courts fees.
FAQ
Does my will at home also cover my property in Dubai?
You shouldn’t rely on it. A will registered in Dubai creates clarity for your property there. What matters is that both wills fit together.
Do I have to travel to Dubai for the will?
No. With the DIFC Courts Wills Service, registration can be done entirely by video call.
Will my heirs pay inheritance tax in Dubai?
No, there is no inheritance tax in the UAE. Whether inheritance tax is due in your home country or your heirs’ country depends on the rules there.
Updated: October 2026. This guide summarises the legal position in general terms and does not replace legal or tax advice in individual cases.
