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Contract templates in the United Arab Emirates: the rules to know
For 16 common contracts: what the law provides in the United Arab Emirates, the formalities and the reference texts. Each card links to the full guide and to the template to generate.
In the UAE private sector, open-ended contracts no longer exist: all employment contracts there are fixed-term and renewable.
Every private-sector contract is fixed-term and renewable, with no legal maximum length (amended art. 8); former open-ended contracts had to be converted by 31 December 2023.
If the parties keep performing the contract after it expires without an express agreement, it is deemed tacitly extended on the same terms (art. 8).
In the private sector, Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 makes the fixed-term contract the only form; since the 2022 amendment, it is renewable with no legal cap.
Duration freely agreed between the parties, renewable, with no legal cap (art. 8).
End of contract: on expiry unless extended or renewed, by written agreement of the parties, or by either party with notice (arts. 42 and 43).
In the UAE, hosting an intern requires a MOHRE permit, which differs for students and for Emirati trainees.
"Student training and employment" permit: a registered establishment may train or employ a student already in the UAE, from age 15 (Resolution 1/2022, art. 6(1)(h)).
"National trainee" permit: training an Emirati according to their academic qualification (art. 6(1)(k)); trainee aged 18 or over, 12-month renewable permit.
In the UAE, all contracts are fixed-term; resignation requires 30 to 90 days' written notice and does not reduce end-of-service gratuity.
All contracts are renewable fixed-term (art. 8); they end for a legitimate reason by written notice of 30 to 90 days set in the contract (arts. 42 and 43).
Notice is paid and may be shortened or waived by agreement; if not observed, compensation equals the wage for the remaining period, even without loss (art. 43).
The 2025 Civil Transactions Code (Federal Decree-Law No. 25) generally treats services as muqawala; the former Civil Code still applies to rights arising before 1 June 2026 under earlier contracts.
A service generally falls under muqawala: work or manufacture in return for a fee (art. 812); the contract states its subject, nature and quantity (art. 813).
If no deadline is agreed, the provider must perform within a reasonable time (art. 818).
In the UAE, no specific statute covers NDAs: they are ordinary contracts governed by the 2025 Civil Transactions Law.
Undisclosed information is protected if it is secret, derives commercial value from being secret and is subject to effective measures (Federal Law 11/2021, Article 61).
The holder must protect the information and restrict access to it (Article 63); an NDA serves as evidence of these measures.
A contractual joint venture with no legal personality, governed by the contract, the Civil Transactions Law and the Commercial Transactions Law.
A cooperation agreement creates no legal entity; the parties remain independent, with no limitation of their liability.
It is governed by the contract, the 2025 Civil Transactions Law and, for commercial operations, the Commercial Transactions Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 50 of 2022).
In the UAE, the federal media law, in force since 1 December 2023, makes social media advertising, paid or unpaid, subject to a Media Council permit (Art. 12(2)).
Advertising content must state explicitly and clearly that it is advertising and comply with media content standards (Art. 20).
Advertiser Permit launched on 30 July 2025, mandatory three months later: free for three years, number displayed on accounts, no third party may post through the account.
Rules differ by emirate; in Dubai, leases are governed by Law No. 26 of 2007 as amended, with the 2025 Civil Transactions Law applying only where that law is silent.
Dubai: the lease describes the property unambiguously, its use, the term, the rent and payment terms, and the owner if the landlord is not the owner (art. 4).
A party wishing to amend the lease terms on renewal must notify the other party at least 90 days before expiry, unless agreed otherwise (art. 14).
In the UAE, a power of attorney is in practice notarised before use, including in digital form; the country does not use the apostille.
In practice, a power of attorney is used in the UAE once authenticated by a public or licensed private notary; the notary checks the authority of a company signatory.
Powers of attorney signed before 1 June 2026 remain valid but are interpreted under the new Civil Transactions Code when presented.
The guides cover 16 contracts: Permanent employment contract, Fixed-term employment contract, Internship agreement, Resignation letter, Service agreement, Agreement between two parties, Freelance contract, Non-disclosure agreement (NDA), Partnership agreement, Sale of goods, Influencer agreement, Residential lease, Commercial lease, Acknowledgment of debt, Car sale agreement, Power of attorney. Each one sets out the essential clauses, the rules in the United Arab Emirates and a template to customise online.
Each guide shows its last update date and its reference texts. This is general information and does not replace legal advice suited to your situation.
Open the contract guide, then generate the template on E-Tafakna: the questionnaire adapts the clauses, and the contract can then be signed online and archived.
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