Wills and Inheritance for Dubai Property Owners: DIFC Wills and Other Options

By the MgtWell Property research desk. Reviewed for accuracy against official sources.

Buying property in Dubai is exciting. Planning what happens to it after you are gone is less so, but it matters just as much. Without a clear, UAE-recognised will, your family may face delays, frozen assets and court processes in a country they may never have visited.

This guide explains how inheritance works for Dubai property owners, why DIFC wills became the go-to option for non-Muslim investors, and how the Abu Dhabi civil wills route compares.

General information, not tax/legal advice. Speak to a qualified adviser in your country.

Why a will matters for Dubai property

UAE property is governed by UAE law, wherever you live. That means:

• Your home-country will may not be enough on its own. Using it in the UAE can require Arabic translation, attestation and a court process.
• Without a will, default UAE succession rules apply, which may not match your wishes.
• Your heirs may need court orders before they can transfer or sell the property, which takes time.

What happens without a will?

Non-Muslim owners

Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 on Civil Personal Status applies to non-Muslims and took effect on 1 February 2023. Where there is no will, the default rules are:

• The surviving spouse receives half of the estate.
• The children share the other half equally, with no distinction between sons and daughters.
• If there are no children, other relatives such as parents and siblings may inherit.

A foreigner's heirs can also ask that the inheritance law of the deceased's home country apply instead, unless a registered will says otherwise.

Muslim owners

For Muslims, UAE courts generally apply Islamic inheritance rules. Muslim owners who want to plan their estate should take specialist advice on what can be arranged within Sharia, and should note that the DIFC Wills Service is open to non-Muslims only.

Option 1: a DIFC will

The DIFC Courts Wills Service, run within the Dubai International Financial Centre's common law courts, lets non-Muslims register English-language wills covering UAE assets.

Who can register

• Non-Muslims who have never been Muslim
• Who own assets in the UAE, or have minor children living in Dubai or Ras Al Khaimah
• UAE residency is not required, and registration can be done remotely by video call

Types of DIFC will

Fees are as published in August 2026 and are not subject to VAT. Modifying a will costs AED 550. There is no annual renewal fee. Check the DIFC Courts website for current fees.

Full Will or Property Will?

• A Full Will automatically covers assets you acquire later, so it rarely needs updating when you buy more property.
• A Property Will covers only the properties listed at registration. Buy another unit and you will need a new will.

If you plan to build a portfolio, a Full Will may save cost and effort over time.

How registration works

1. Draft the will yourself, through a registered wills draftsman, or using the online template (required for some will types).
2. Upload passports, Emirates IDs where relevant, and title deeds or Oqood documents.
3. Book and pay online.
4. Attend a short appointment, in person or by video, with two adult witnesses who are not beneficiaries.
5. The will is signed electronically and held by the registry.

Option 2: an Abu Dhabi civil will

Abu Dhabi offers a separate route for non-Muslims through its Civil Family Court, which focuses on non-Muslim family matters.

• Remote registration: wills can be registered by video conference using approved templates in Arabic and English.
• Demand: Gulf News reported about 11,000 civil wills registered in 2025, more than double the 2024 figure.
• Cost: historically much lower than DIFC. Gulf News reported a fee of AED 950 in 2018; confirm the current fee.
• Coverage: a 2018 Gulf News report stated that beneficiaries can claim assets anywhere in the UAE whether the will was registered in Abu Dhabi or Dubai.

Before choosing this route for Dubai property, confirm with the court or a lawyer that it suits your circumstances, including whether you need to be a UAE resident and how the will would be enforced against Dubai assets.

Other routes

• Dubai Courts notary: non-Muslim wills can also be registered with a notary at Dubai Courts. The will must name executors or beneficiaries and list assets.
• Home-country will: possible, but expect translation, attestation and court steps.
• Ownership structures: some investors hold property through companies or foundations. These carry their own costs and rules, so take advice.

Quick comparison

Don't forget your home country

A UAE will deals with UAE assets. Your home country may still tax your worldwide estate. US citizens and long-term UK residents, for example, can face their own estate or inheritance tax rules. Coordinate your UAE will with your home-country plan so the two do not contradict each other. Our country pages, such as buying from the United States and buying from the United Kingdom, cover general home-country considerations.

Practical steps for new owners

• Register your will soon after you receive your Oqood or title deed.
• Keep copies of deeds and SPAs where your executor can find them.
• Review your will after major life events.
• If you hold a mortgage, check how the lender's life cover interacts with your plan. See Dubai mortgages for non-residents.

Estate planning is part of owning well. For more on the legal framework, read key Dubai real estate laws every investor should know.

Frequently asked questions