Women secure a significant position in Dubai’s social fabric. Whether it is driving, employment opportunities or owning properties, gender disparities are not supported in any field. In fact, the government has drafted laws and regulations to discourage any gender-related biases. That said, women have equal rights to own, buy or sell properties in Dubai.
Here, we have further elaborated on other aspects of property ownership for women in Dubai.
Women and Property Inheritance in Dubai
Women in Dubai have all the rights to sell and buy properties, whether they are Emiratis or expats. However, when it comes to the inheritance of property, the laws are different for Muslim and non-Muslim women.
Following are the inheritance laws for women’s property ownership in Dubai.
Muslim Women
Muslim women inherit and can distribute properties as per the Shari’a law of the land if there is no will. However, the bank accounts of the deceased are sealed until the ruling of inheritance is passed. Moreover, the inheritance is distributed after all the debts of the decade are settled. Once done, this is how women become entitled to their share in the property.
- A daughter will receive only half of what the son is entitled. For instance, if the property is to be distributed among two daughters and a son. The son will get 50% of the inheritance and the daughters will get 25% each.
- Widows with no children will inherit one-fourth of the husband’s property and one-eighth if there are children.
- If there is no male heir to the property, the female heirs will inherit two-thirds of the property. Moreover, if a female is the only heir, she will be entitled to half of the inheritance.
- The husband will inherit half of the property if the wife dies with no descendants.
Please remember that the property share can vary depending on multiple factors, including number of generations involved, family customs and others. For further information, read our blog on what will happen to my UAE property when I die.
Non-Muslim Women
Non-Muslim women can distribute their property among heirs either as per the law of their homeland or by submitting a will. The Federal Decree Law No. 41 of 2022 on Civil Personal Status for Non-Muslims, protects women’s rights in Dubai for property ownership.
- Male and female heirs have an equal share of the property.
- If a non-Muslim woman dies without a will, the husband will inherit half of the property and children will be entitled to the other half. In case there are no children, the deceased’s father will inherit the other half.
FAQs
Can women own property in Dubai?
Yes, women have all the rights to own, sell and buy properties in Dubai.
Who will inherit a woman’s property after her death?
Ideally, the property is distributed according to the will. However, in the absence of a will, the husband will inherit half of the property and the children will be entitled to the remaining half.
What non-Muslim expat women can register in their will in Dubai?
Non-Muslim women can register all the financial assets, government securities, cash, stocks and shares that they own.
These were all the details regarding property ownership for women in Dubai. The city’s property market is rapidly growing, attracting investors from all across the world. The core reason for this is the investor-friendly laws and regulations, including the property inheritance laws for women in Dubai mentioned above. If you are also interested in availing of this growing real estate market, browse through these properties for sale in Dubai and invest right away.
However, if you are new to the market, here is how to buy a property in Dubai as a foreigner.
Stay tuned to dubizzle’s property blog for more information on property laws in Dubai.
