Why Every Expat in UAE Should Have a Personal Power of Attorney

Before diving into the specifics, it’s important to understand what a Personal Power of Attorney is.

A Personal Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows you (the principal) to appoint another person (the attorney-in-fact) to act on your behalf in personal matters. In the UAE, this document must be notarized and legally recognized to be enforceable.

Why it matters: It’s your safety net when you can’t be physically present to manage your affairs.

Example: If you’re traveling for business and need someone to handle a property sale or sign an important contract, your attorney-in-fact can do that for you. In the UAE, this document must be notarized and legally recognized to be enforceable.

Living away from your home country presents unique legal and logistical challenges. Here’s why expats find Personal Power of Attorneys indispensable:

• Emergency hospitalizations: A POA allows someone to access your accounts and manage urgent matters
• Travel outside the UAE: Whether for business or leisure, a POA allows a trusted person to manage your property or sign documents on your behalf.
• Family matters requiring legal presence: Marriage registrations or guardianship decisions, can be managed through a Personal Power of Attorney.
• Managing assets remotely: If you own property or vehicles in the UAE, a Vehicle POA, Property POA, or Company POA can help ensure transactions proceed smoothly without your presence.

A Personal Power of Attorney gives peace of mind to both you and your loved ones.

A Personal Power of Attorney is not just a piece of paper. It’s a legal super-tool. Here’s what you can do with it:

• Manage bank accounts: You can authorize your POA holder to access your bank account to pay bills, transfer funds, or handle transactions on your behalf.
• Sign property agreements (Property POA): If you want someone to act on your behalf during a property sale or lease agreement, a Property POA is crucial. For example, if you’re selling property while out of the country, your POA holder can finalize the deal.
• Sell or register vehicles (Vehicle POA): If you own a car or another vehicle and need to sell or transfer ownership, you can give someone a Vehicle POA to manage this transaction.
• Handle marriage registration (Marriage POA): If you’re unable to attend your marriage registration in person due to work commitments or travel, a Marriage POA allows someone to handle it on your behalf.
• Represent you in legal disputes (General POA): If you’re involved in a legal matter, such as a dispute over a contract or a lawsuit, a General POA allows someone to represent you.

Imagine this: you’re hospitalized or abroad and a legal decision must be made. Without a POA:

• Your family may be unable to access your funds: For example, if an expat is unable to return home after a serious medical emergency, their spouse might not be able to pay bills or arrange for hospital payments without a POA.
• Property deals can be delayed or cancelled: If a property deal needs to be signed in your absence, not having a POA can stall the entire process.
• Legal representation becomes impossible: Suppose you’re in another country and are involved in a legal dispute—without a POA, you cannot authorize someone to represent you.

Having a POA in place avoids all these scenarios, protecting your interests at all times.

1. Draft the POA content (specific or general powers): The document must clearly state what the attorney-in-fact is authorized to do. For example, you may want to specify that your agent can only manage your bank accounts or handle property-related matters.
2. Get the draft attested by a UAE Notary Public: The POA must be notarized by a public notary for it to be legally valid.
3. Translate into Arabic if required: If your POA document is drafted in English, you may need to have it translated into Arabic to meet UAE requirements.
4. Register the document with relevant authorities: The POA must be officially registered to be enforceable.

The cost depends on several factors:

• Government Notary Fees: AED 100-500
• Translation Fees: AED 100-200
• Legal Drafting: AED 300-800 (varies by provider)

When registered properly, a Personal Power of Attorney in the UAE is:

• Legally enforceable across the country: It is recognized by both government and private entities.
• Recognized by all government and private entities: Whether you need it for property matters or banking, it’s valid.
• Subject to strict documentation protocols: The UAE government ensures strict documentation protocols for POA registration.

A POA is only as strong as the drafting and registration. That’s why professional help is crucial.

Read More: Why Every Expat in the UAE Needs an NRI POA

Your attorney-in-fact will act on your behalf, so choose wisely:

• Trustworthiness is key: This person will have access to important matters of your life, like financial accounts and legal representation.
• They must reside in the UAE or visit frequently: This ensures they are available when needed. For example, a family member living in the UAE or a trusted advisor.
• Preferably a family member or legal advisor: Choosing a trusted family member ensures they understand your preferences and can make decisions on your behalf.

You can get your POA drafted from:

• Legal consultants: Professionals who specialize in drafting legal documents.
• Notary Public offices: Notaries can prepare and notarize POAs.
• Online platforms like Safe Ledger: We offer a fast, affordable, and convenient online service for expats to get their POA drafted and notarized.

Safe Ledger is trusted by thousands of expats for:

• 100% legally compliant documents
• Affordable & fast service
• Multilingual support
• Free consultation for first-time users

Having a Personal Power of Attorney in the UAE is more than a precaution—it’s an essential safeguard for every expat. From handling emergencies to property and legal matters, a POA ensures your interests are always protected. 

Don’t wait for a crisis, With the right POA in place, you can navigate challenges confidently, knowing that your personal, legal, and financial affairs are in trusted hands, even when you’re not physically present.