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Jakob Kisser

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How to Make a Power of Attorney in the United Arab Emirates (2026): Types, Notarisation, Fees and Validity

By Global Law Experts

– posted 3 weeks ago

This guide is intended for UAE residents, expatriates, business owners and family offices who need to grant, notarise or revoke a power of attorney. It explains the main types of POA, execution and notarisation requirements, fees, validity periods, revocation procedures and their use in property transactions and litigation. It also considers the UAE’s new Civil Transactions Law, introduced by Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025, which entered into force on 1 June 2026, and the separate procedural requirements imposed by the relevant UAE authorities.

A power of attorney (POA) allows an individual or company to authorise another person to act on their behalf for specified purposes. In the UAE, POAs are commonly used for property transactions, banking, corporate matters and legal proceedings. However, the requirements for preparing and using a POA depend on the authority involved and the powers being granted. This article explains how to prepare, notarise and authenticate a POA in the UAE, the applicable fees and validity requirements, and the steps involved in revoking an existing authorisation.

Throughout, legal and procedural statements are anchored to official sources including the UAE Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dubai Courts, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department and the Dubai Land Department.

What is a Power of Attorney in the UAE?

A power of attorney is a legal instrument through which one person (the principal) authorises another person (the agent or attorney-in-fact) to undertake specified acts on their behalf. Agency relationships in the UAE are governed principally by the Civil Transactions Law, issued under Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025, alongside other legislation applicable to particular transactions. Although agency authority may arise in different ways, a notarised POA is generally required where the agent must deal with courts, government authorities, property registries or other institutions that require formal proof of authorisation. The necessary form and scope of the POA depend on the transaction and the requirements of the receiving authority.

Legal definition and capacity requirements

Under the UAE Civil Transactions Law, the principal must have the legal capacity and authority required for the acts being delegated, while the agent must act within the scope of the authorisation granted. The POA should therefore identify the powers conferred and any applicable restrictions. An agent acting beyond those powers may be unable to bind the principal, subject to the applicable rules governing representation and subsequent approval. Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025, which entered into force on 1 June 2026, now provides the principal federal civil-law framework for these matters. Additional requirements may apply depending on the nature of the transaction and the authority before which the POA will be used.

Who can be an agent, and who can prepare a POA?

A POA may appoint an individual or, where permitted, a legal entity to act on behalf of the principal. The proposed agent must be capable of carrying out the authorised acts, and the receiving authority may impose additional identification, eligibility or registration requirements. When a POA is intended for litigation, the agent’s right to appear before the relevant court must be considered separately from the authority granted under the POA. Legal consultants may provide advisory and drafting services within the scope of their licences but do not automatically acquire rights of audience before UAE courts. Court representation is subject to the professional registration and procedural rules applicable to the relevant jurisdiction, including the distinct regimes of the federal and local courts, the DIFC Courts and the ADGM Courts.

Where a POA authorises representation in court proceedings, the appointed representative must satisfy the applicable court’s registration and rights-of-audience requirements. A POA alone does not entitle a person or firm to appear before a court.

Types of Power of Attorney UAE Residents Commonly Use

UAE practice recognises several categories of POA, distinguished principally by scope. Choosing the right type is the single most important decision in the drafting process: an overbroad POA creates risk, while an overly narrow one may fail to achieve its purpose and require re-execution.

General power of attorney UAE. A broad mandate authorising the agent to conduct a wide range of acts on the principal’s behalf, for example, general management of affairs, banking, or administrative matters. Its breadth makes it powerful but also higher-risk; many banks and government bodies scrutinise general POAs carefully.
Special power of attorney UAE. A narrowly drawn mandate limited to a specific transaction or category of act, such as selling a named property, or representing the principal in a particular court case. This is the preferred form for discrete transactions because it limits the agent’s authority to precisely what is intended.
POA for property. A POA authorising an agent to purchase, sell, mortgage or manage specified real estate. For property transactions in Dubai, the POA must meet Dubai Land Department requirements and be accepted as part of the relevant transaction. The authority to sell, mortgage or otherwise dispose of the property should be expressly stated.
POA for litigation. A mandate authorising an appropriately qualified representative to act in legal proceedings, subject to the relevant court’s requirements. Powers such as settlement, withdrawal of claims, receipt of judgment proceeds and other acts requiring special authorisation should be expressly included where intended.

When to use each type of power of attorney UAE

As a rule of thumb, use a special POA wherever possible. If you are selling one property, grant authority over that property alone. If you need an agent to run multiple unrelated matters while you are overseas, a general POA may be more practical, but it should still be bounded by express limits and a clear expiry mechanism. The comparison table below summarises the key distinctions.

POA type	Typical use	Formalities	Validity considerations
General POA	Management, administration and specified business affairs	Notarisation generally required for formal use before UAE authorities	Depends on the instrument and relevant notary or receiving authority
Special POA	A defined transaction or specified acts	Notarisation and any applicable authority-specific requirements	May be restricted by purpose, stated duration or authority rules
Property POA	Purchase, sale, mortgage or transfer of real estate	Must satisfy the requirements of the relevant property authority	Dubai Land Department states two years for sale, mortgage and gifts, and five years for purchases, calculated from notarisation
Litigation POA	Court representation and related procedural acts	Subject to notarisation, court filing and professional representation rules	ADJD’s published conditions specify a maximum of five years for litigation POAs granted to lawyers

Legal note: Validity requirements differ depending on the issuing and receiving authorities. Dubai Land Department applies specific acceptance periods to property POAs, while the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department publishes separate maximum durations for certain POA services, including litigation authorisations. These authority-specific limits should not be confused with the general civil-law rules governing the duration or termination of agency.

How to Prepare and Execute a Power of Attorney UAE Step by Step

The execution process differs depending on whether you are inside the UAE or abroad, but the underlying sequence is consistent: draft, verify identity, sign before the competent authority, notarise, and, where the document will be used across borders, legalise it. The steps below set out the full workflow.

Draft the POA. Set out the principal’s and agent’s full details, the exact scope of authority, any limits, and the duration. Ambiguity at this stage is the most common cause of a POA being rejected by a bank, court or land authority.
Prepare an Arabic version. UAE notaries require the instrument in Arabic, or in a bilingual Arabic/English format prepared by a legal translator. If your original is in another language, a certified legal translation is required.
Verify identity. Provide the identity and supporting documents required by the notary, including the principal’s Emirates ID or passport and the agent’s identification details. Additional documents may be required where either party acts on behalf of a company or another legal entity.
Complete the signing procedure. The principal must complete the identity verification and signing process required by the competent notary. Depending on the service, this may take place in person or electronically, including through approved remote verification procedures.
Notarise the POA. Once the necessary checks and signing requirements have been completed, the competent notary authenticates the instrument. The receiving bank, court, registry or government authority may require further documents or verification before accepting the POA for a particular transaction.
Legalise for overseas use. If the POA will be used outside the UAE, or was signed abroad for use inside the UAE, additional attestation and legalisation steps apply, handled through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Resident execution inside the UAE

A POA intended for use within the UAE can generally be notarised through the competent notarial authority, including Dubai Courts or the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department. Both authorities offer electronic notary services for eligible documents, so physical attendance is not required in every case. The principal must submit the required identification documents, supporting evidence of authority where applicable, and the POA in an acceptable language and format. Once notarised, the POA may be used domestically without separate Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation, although the receiving authority may impose additional procedural requirements.

Execution abroad: embassy, consulate or foreign lawyer

Principals who are outside the UAE can execute a POA for use in the country, provided the document meets the applicable authentication requirements. One common route is to sign the POA before a local notary in the country of execution, obtain authentication by the relevant foreign authorities, arrange attestation through the UAE embassy or consulate, and complete the required Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation in the UAE. Depending on the country and the services available, execution or authentication through a UAE diplomatic mission may provide an alternative route. The receiving UAE authority may also require a certified Arabic translation.

An apostille issued under the Hague Apostille Convention should not be assumed to replace UAE consular legalisation. The UAE is not listed as a contracting party in the HCCH’s published status table. The authentication process should therefore be confirmed with the relevant UAE mission and the authority that will receive the POA before execution abroad.

Online notarisation and e-notary options (UAE notary public online)

Both Dubai and Abu Dhabi have developed electronic notary services that allow certain documents to be notarised remotely or through online portals. The UAE notary public online services offered through Dubai Courts and the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department can streamline execution for straightforward instruments, subject to identity verification and the type of POA involved. Not every POA is eligible for fully remote notarisation, and high-value or property-related instruments may still require attendance. Confirm eligibility through the relevant Emirate’s portal before assuming an online route is available.

Notarisation, Attestation and Cross-Border Recognition

Notarisation authenticates the execution of a POA and establishes the formal evidence of authority required for many transactions. Attestation and legalisation serve a different purpose: they authenticate the relevant signatures, seals or official capacity of the issuing authorities so that a document can be presented in another jurisdiction. These procedures do not, by themselves, confirm that the powers granted under the POA are sufficient for the intended transaction.

Dubai POA notarisation steps

Dubai Courts provides notarial services for POAs through its public and electronic notary channels. Applicants submit the POA, identification documents and any supporting evidence of their authority. Depending on the circumstances, verification and signing may be completed electronically or through personal attendance. Where the POA will be used for a property transaction, it must also satisfy Dubai Land Department requirements, including the scope of the agent’s authority and the applicable period of acceptance.

Abu Dhabi notarisation steps

In Abu Dhabi, notarisation is handled by the notary service of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department. The core requirements mirror Dubai, identity verification, an Arabic or bilingual instrument, and signing before the notary, but procedural details, available online options and fee schedules can differ. Clients transacting across both Emirates should not assume that a process or fee in Dubai applies identically in Abu Dhabi; verify with the ADJD directly.

Using a POA executed overseas: legalisation vs attestation

A POA executed outside the UAE generally requires authentication before it can be accepted by UAE authorities. Where the document is executed before a foreign notary, the usual process involves authentication by the competent authorities in the country of execution, attestation by the UAE diplomatic mission and subsequent attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Additional requirements may apply to the document’s language, translation and supporting evidence of the principal’s identity or corporate authority.

The UAE is not a contracting party to the Hague Apostille Convention according to the published HCCH status table. Accordingly, an apostille alone should not be treated as sufficient authentication for use of a foreign POA in the UAE. Even after legalisation, the receiving bank, court or government authority must be satisfied that the instrument contains the powers required for the intended transaction.

Fees and Typical Timelines (Dubai vs Abu Dhabi)

Costs for a power of attorney UAE instrument comprise several components, and principals should budget for all of them rather than the notary fee alone. The main elements are drafting, legal translation, notarisation, any land-authority registration for property POAs, and, for cross-border instruments, legalisation and attestation. Fees are set by the relevant authorities and are subject to change, so always confirm the current schedule with the issuing body.

Power of attorney Dubai cost: what to budget for

Cost component	Published fees or relevant considerations
Legal drafting	Professional fees depend on the complexity and scope of the POA
Certified Arabic translation	Charged by the translation provider; cost depends on the document
Dubai Courts notarisation	Dubai Courts’ Smart Electronic Notary page lists AED 100 for each signature on a POA
Abu Dhabi notarisation	ADJD’s published service conditions list AED 100 for each year of POA validity under the relevant service
Dubai property transactions	Additional DLD transaction processing requirements and applicable charges may arise
Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation	MoFA publishes AED 150 for personal documents and AED 2,000 for commercial documents, with classification depending on document type

The total cost of a POA depends on its purpose, the notarial authority, the number of signatures, the duration where relevant, and whether translation or overseas authentication is required. Notarial fees and additional service charges may vary according to the channel used. Applicants should confirm the current amount with the relevant authority before submission. Domestic electronic notarisation can often be completed more quickly than an overseas POA requiring authentication by several authorities, although processing times depend on the application and supporting documents.

Validity, Duration and Use in Court or Property Transactions

There is no single validity period applicable to every POA in the UAE. Its duration depends on the terms of the instrument, the nature of the authorisation, the applicable civil-law rules and the requirements of the authority before which it is presented. For example, Dubai Land Department specifies an acceptance period of two years for POAs covering the sale, mortgage or gift of property and five years for purchases, calculated from notarisation. The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department separately publishes maximum validity periods for certain POA services. A POA may also terminate when its stated period expires, its purpose has been completed, or another legally recognised ground for termination arises. Revocation may be subject to limitations where the agency protects rights or interests of the agent or a third party.

POAs in court proceedings

A litigation POA authorises an appropriately qualified representative to act on the principal’s behalf in court proceedings, subject to the applicable procedural and professional rules. The instrument should identify the intended scope of representation and include express authority for acts that require special authorisation, such as settlement, waiver of rights, withdrawal of proceedings or receipt of funds, where these powers are to be granted. The parties should also consider whether the authorisation adequately covers appeals and enforcement proceedings.

The period for which a litigation POA may be accepted depends on the relevant court and notarial requirements. The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department’s published conditions specify a maximum validity period of five years for litigation POAs granted to lawyers. The applicable requirements should be verified before relying on an older instrument or extending representation to additional proceedings.

POAs for property sale in Dubai

A POA used to sell property in Dubai must clearly authorise the agent to complete the intended transaction and satisfy the requirements of Dubai Land Department. The instrument should identify the property, include the necessary disposal powers and be duly notarised or, if executed overseas, properly authenticated. Dubai Land Department states that POAs used for sales, mortgages and gifts are accepted for two years from notarisation, while POAs used for purchases are accepted for five years. The POA is examined as part of the property transaction process, and the agent must comply with any additional documentary and procedural requirements applicable at the time of transfer. A general POA that does not expressly authorise the relevant disposal may not be accepted.

Cancelling or Amending a Power of Attorney UAE

A principal may generally revoke a POA, subject to any legal restrictions arising from the terms of the agency or rights established in favour of the agent or a third party. Revocation should be formally documented and communicated to the agent and any relevant institutions that may continue to rely on the instrument. Where the POA has been notarised or used before a government authority, the applicable cancellation or notification procedures should also be completed. The legal consequences of revocation depend on the circumstances, including whether the agent and relevant third parties have received notice.

Prepare the revocation document. Identify the POA being revoked, including its date, parties and notarial reference, where available.
Complete the applicable notarial procedure. Where the POA was notarised, arrange its cancellation or revocation through the competent notarial authority, subject to any restrictions on revocation.
Notify the agent. Give the agent written notice of the revocation and retain evidence of delivery.
Notify relevant third parties. Inform banks, courts, property authorities and other institutions that have received or relied upon the POA. Confirm whether further filings or updates are required.
Authenticate overseas revocations where necessary. If the revocation is executed outside the UAE, complete the authentication and translation requirements applicable to the receiving UAE authority.

Legal note: Revoking a POA does not necessarily eliminate rights already acquired by third parties or invalidate transactions lawfully completed before the revocation became effective. Particular care is required where the agency was granted to protect the interests of the agent or another person. Formal cancellation and prompt notification are both important, and the principal should retain evidence that the revocation has been communicated to those who may rely on the POA.

Legal qualification: The legal rules on termination, revocation and third-party effects must be determined under the applicable law, not solely by notarial practice. The new Civil Transactions Law should govern the final legal analysis. The operational wording above is suitable for general publication, but I would have a UAE-qualified lawyer confirm any more specific assertion about when revocation takes effect against third parties.

Common Pitfalls and Best-Practice Checklist

Most problems with POAs arise from drafting that is either too broad or too vague, or from skipping a legalisation step. The checklist below captures the recurring issues.

Define the scope precisely. Name the property, account, counterparty or case rather than granting blanket authority.
Set a duration. State an expiry date or a completion event so the mandate does not outlive its purpose.
Translate and notarise properly. Prepare the POA in the language and format accepted by the relevant notary. Where an Arabic translation is required, use an appropriately certified legal translation.
Complete the correct legalisation route abroad. For POAs executed before foreign authorities, comply with the relevant authentication and UAE consular attestation requirements, followed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation where applicable.
Check property authority requirements. Before relying on a POA for a property transaction, confirm that it has been properly notarised or authenticated, includes the necessary powers and satisfies the receiving land authority’s acceptance requirements.
Verify identities. Confirm the agent’s identity documentation so the POA is not challenged later.
Register revocations. Do not rely on informal cancellation.

When to Engage a UAE Lawyer

Many straightforward POAs can be prepared and notarised without extensive legal assistance. However, professional advice may be appropriate where the POA concerns a property sale or mortgage, a substantial financial transaction, cross-border arrangements, corporate authority or litigation. For example, an overseas owner selling a property in Dubai should ensure that the POA accurately identifies the property, expressly grants the necessary sale powers and satisfies Dubai Land Department requirements before the scheduled transfer.

Business owners granting authority over several transactions should also consider restrictions on the agent’s powers, particularly where the POA permits the disposal of assets, operation of bank accounts or execution of binding contracts.

Quick Templates and Sample Wording

The sample wording below is for guidance only and should be reviewed by a qualified UAE lawyer and adapted to your circumstances before use. It is not a substitute for tailored drafting.

Special POA for property sale (Dubai). “I, [principal], hereby appoint [agent] as my attorney to represent me in connection with the sale of the property identified as [property description and title deed number], registered with the Dubai Land Department, including signing the relevant sale and transfer documents and completing the necessary procedures before the competent authorities, subject to the terms and limitations specified in this power of attorney.”
POA for bank transactions. “I, [principal], appoint [agent] as my attorney to represent me before [bank name] in relation to account(s) [account details], solely for the purpose of [specify authorised transactions]. This authority is limited to the acts expressly identified in this instrument and shall expire on [date], unless terminated earlier in accordance with applicable law.”

Conclusion

A power of attorney can provide an effective means of managing legal, financial and property matters in the UAE without requiring the principal to act personally in every transaction. Its effectiveness depends on the powers granted, the applicable formalities and the requirements of the authority before which it is used. With the new Civil Transactions Law in force since 1 June 2026, principals should ensure that existing and newly executed POAs comply with the applicable legal framework and remain suitable for their intended purposes. Particular attention should be given to property transactions, cross-border authorisations and revocation procedures.

For a tailored review of your power of attorney UAE arrangements, including property, litigation and cross-border matters, contact a qualified UAE private-client lawyer through Global Law Experts.

Need Legal Advice?

This article was produced by Global Law Experts. For specialist advice on this topic, contact Jakob Kisser at Kisser Legal, a member of the Global Law Experts network.

Sources

FAQs

How much does a POA cost in Dubai?

The cost depends on the type of POA and the services required. Dubai Courts’ published Smart Electronic Notary guidance lists AED 100 per signature for POA notarisation. Additional charges may apply for legal drafting, certified translation, authentication of foreign documents or property-related procedures. The applicable fees should be confirmed with the relevant authority before submission.

Can I cancel a power of attorney UAE instrument?

Yes. A principal may generally revoke a POA, subject to any applicable legal restrictions, including rights established in favour of the agent or a third party. Revocation should be formally documented, and the agent and any relevant banks, courts or government authorities should be notified. Where the original POA was notarised or registered with an authority, additional cancellation or notification procedures may be required. The effect of revocation on third parties depends on the circumstances and applicable law.

How long is a POA valid for use in court?

There is no single validity period applicable to litigation POAs across all UAE jurisdictions. The duration depends on the instrument, the relevant court’s requirements and the applicable notarial rules. For example, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department specifies a maximum validity of five years for litigation POAs granted to lawyers. The POA should also expressly authorise any procedural acts requiring special authority, where those powers are intended to be granted.

Can a POA be signed outside the UAE and used in Dubai?

Yes. A POA executed outside the UAE can generally be used in Dubai once the required authentication and translation procedures have been completed. Where executed before a foreign notary, the usual process involves authentication in the country of execution, attestation by the UAE embassy or consulate and subsequent attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The receiving authority may impose additional requirements. An apostille alone should not be assumed sufficient for use in the UAE.

Do I need a lawyer to prepare a POA for property sale?

A lawyer is not generally required simply to prepare a POA for a property sale. However, professional legal assistance is advisable where the transaction involves substantial value, overseas execution or complex ownership arrangements. The POA must clearly identify the property, confer the necessary sale powers and satisfy Dubai Land Department requirements before it can be used in the transaction.