United Arab Emirates: Compliance

The UN's 15th Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Abu Dhabi has exposed how rapidly evolving technology is enabling sophisticated transnational criminal networks while revealing stark divisions among nations on how to combat these threats. The conference also marks a pivotal moment for the UAE's transformation from a grey-listed money laundering jurisdiction to a global anti-crime leader, even as deep disagreements emerge between major powers like the US and Iran over the future of internat

The UAE Trademark Office has begun accepting national trademark applications for alcoholic beverages in class 33 of the Nice Classification, marking a significant shift in intellectual property protection for wines, spirits, and liqueurs. This development closes a longstanding gap that has shaped filing strategies for wine and spirits producers in the region for many years. Brand owners now face both new opportunities for direct protection and emerging risks from potential bad-faith filings by third parties

The UAE's evolving legal framework now permits foreign investors to own 100% of businesses across many sectors, but strategic activities face additional controls. Understanding licensing requirements, ownership restrictions, tax implications, and regulatory approvals before incorporation can prevent costly restructuring and ensure compliance with beneficial ownership rules and sector-specific regulations.

The Abu Dhabi Global Market has eliminated its nexus requirement for Special Purpose Vehicles, fundamentally transforming access to one of the region's most established structuring regimes. This regulatory shift moves away from geographic eligibility tests toward a governance-focused framework emphasizing transparency, compliance, and the legitimate purpose of holding structures.

Abu Dhabi's Administrative Decisions No. 25 and 26 of 2025 introduce comprehensive reforms governing the post-handover management of jointly owned property, establishing detailed requirements for service charge collection, management company operations, and owners' committee formation. These changes transform what was previously a contractual framework into a structured regulatory regime with direct implications for developers, property managers, investors, and lenders operating in the emirate's real estate

The Dubai International Finance Centre has introduced sweeping reforms to its Prescribed Company regime, removing previous eligibility restrictions while implementing mandatory Corporate Service Provider requirements. These changes fundamentally reshape how international investors, family offices and corporate groups can establish and maintain holding structures in the DIFC, with existing entities facing a January 2027 compliance deadline.

Drug possession and personal use in the UAE are governed by Federal Decree-Law No. (30) of 2021 on Combating Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances, as amended (the “Narcotics Law“), in force since 2 January 2022.

阿联酋商标体系存在一个独特难题：已受理但未完成注册的商标申请可能长期留存于官方记录中，持续阻碍后续申请人获得商标保护。这些休眠申

Inheritance matters in the UAE can be sensitive, emotional, and legally complex, especially where Sharia principles apply. Families may need to deal with property, bank accounts, business shares, debts, minor children, and disputes between heirs, often at a difficult time.