DIFC Wills & Estate Planning Guide 2026: How Expats Protect Assets in UAE

Updated August 2026. For non-Muslim expats living in — or owning property in — the UAE, dying without a registered will can be catastrophic. Bank accounts freeze, properties cannot be sold, and families face years of court proceedings. This guide explains how the DIFC Wills & Probate Registry works, what it covers, how much it costs, and what happens if you do not have one.

Why Expats in the UAE Need a Will

The UAE applies its own succession rules when a person dies intestate (without a valid will). For non-Muslim expatriates, UAE courts have historically attempted to apply the deceased’s home-country law, but outcomes are inconsistent, lengthy, and expensive. The practical risks are severe:

• All UAE bank accounts are frozen immediately upon notification of death.
• Minor children have no legally appointed guardian until a court order is obtained.
• Freehold property in Dubai cannot be transferred or sold until the estate is fully settled.
• Legal fees to navigate UAE civil courts typically run AED 30,000–100,000+.
• Resolution can take 6 months to 3 years.

The good news: the UAE levies zero inheritance tax. Your entire estate passes to your beneficiaries free of estate duty — provided you have the right documentation in place.

What Is the DIFC Wills & Probate Registry?

Established in 2015, the DIFC Wills & Probate Registry allows non-Muslim individuals to register English-law wills in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Wills registered here are processed by the DIFC Courts under English common law principles — giving expats a familiar, predictable legal framework.

Key facts:

• Open to all non-Muslim individuals regardless of nationality.
• Covers assets located in Dubai (not Abu Dhabi — see below).
• You do not need to be a DIFC company or work in DIFC.
• Any Dubai resident or Dubai property owner may register.
• Probate is typically granted in 3–4 weeks.

Types of DIFC Wills and Costs

There are four main categories of DIFC will, each covering different assets and circumstances:

Mirror wills for couples (registering simultaneously) are priced at AED 15,000 for a single Full Will or AED 10,000 combined where applicable. Fees are payable to the DIFC Wills Service Centre as government registration fees. Lawyer drafting fees are additional.

What Does a DIFC Will Cover — and What It Does Not

Abu Dhabi Wills: The ADJD Alternative

Expats with property or assets in Abu Dhabi cannot rely on a DIFC Will alone. The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) operates a separate non-Muslim will registration system that covers Abu Dhabi-based assets. The two registries are entirely independent — you need one for each emirate where you hold significant assets.

Expats with significant assets in both emirates should register separate wills in each jurisdiction. The cost difference is substantial — ADJD fees are 70–90% lower than DIFC fees — making dual registration highly cost-effective for those with cross-emirate holdings.

What Happens If You Die in the UAE Without a Will

Dying intestate in the UAE triggers a cascade of legal consequences that can last years and cost a family six figures in legal fees. Here is the typical sequence:

A registered DIFC Will bypasses the entire civil court succession process. Probate is issued in 3–4 weeks, assets are released directly to named beneficiaries, and the appointed guardian has immediate legal standing for minor children.

Step-by-Step: How to Create a DIFC Will

Registering a DIFC Will is a straightforward five-step process:

1. Appoint a DIFC-registered will draftsperson or law firm. Only licensed practitioners may draft and submit DIFC wills. Many Dubai law firms and legal document services are registered for this purpose.
2. Draft the will. List all Dubai assets in full detail, name your executor (the person who will administer your estate), and specify your beneficiaries and the share each should receive.
3. Include guardian provisions if you have children. Identify your preferred guardian and an alternate guardian for any children under 18. Both individuals should ideally be consulted in advance.
4. Register at the DIFC Wills Service Centre. Both the testator(s) and a witness attend in person at DIFC Courts. The government registration fee of AED 10,000 (single will) or AED 15,000 (mirror wills for couples) is paid at this stage.
5. Collect your certified copy. DIFC Courts retain the original will in a secure, searchable registry. A certified copy is issued to the testator for personal records.

The process typically takes 2–4 weeks from initial instruction to final registration, depending on estate complexity and practitioner availability. Updates or amendments to an existing DIFC Will require re-registration and payment of a new government fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who needs a DIFC Will?

Any non-Muslim expatriate who owns freehold property in Dubai, holds a UAE bank account, has investments or savings in Dubai, or has minor children living in the UAE should have a DIFC Will. This includes residents on employment visas, investor visa holders, and non-residents who own Dubai freehold property without living in the UAE. If you are Muslim, Sharia succession law applies automatically in the UAE and the DIFC Wills system is not available to you — but separate estate planning options exist under UAE law.

What is the difference between a DIFC Will and an Abu Dhabi (ADJD) Will?

A DIFC Will is processed under English common law through the DIFC Courts and covers only assets located in Dubai. An Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) Will covers assets located in Abu Dhabi under Abu Dhabi civil law. The two systems are entirely separate registries. ADJD wills are significantly cheaper — AED 950–3,000 in government fees versus AED 10,000–15,000 for DIFC — but both offer similar fast probate. Expats with significant assets in both emirates should register a will in each jurisdiction.

What happens if I die in the UAE without a will?

Without a registered will, UAE courts immediately freeze all bank accounts and assets. Your family must then navigate the UAE civil court succession process, which can take 6 months to 3 years and cost AED 30,000–100,000+ in legal fees. Minor children will not have a legally appointed guardian until the court appoints one — which may not reflect your wishes. Property cannot be sold or transferred until the entire estate is settled by court order. A DIFC or ADJD will bypasses this process, delivering probate in 3–4 weeks with assets going directly to named beneficiaries.

How much does a DIFC Will cost in 2026?

Government registration fees at the DIFC Wills Service Centre range from AED 5,000 for a standalone Guardian Will up to AED 20,000 for a Business Owners Will. The most common option — a Full Will covering Dubai property and financial assets — costs AED 10,000–15,000 for a single will, or approximately AED 15,000 for mirror wills for a couple registering simultaneously. Legal drafting fees charged by your lawyer or document service are additional and vary by firm. The UAE levies zero inheritance tax, so the registration fee is your primary cost to protect your entire Dubai estate.

Can a DIFC Will cover my UAE free zone company shares?

Yes — a Business Owners Will specifically covers UAE free zone company shares in addition to Dubai property and financial assets, and costs AED 12,000–20,000 in government registration fees. However, mainland UAE company shares (LLC interests) are not covered by a DIFC Will and require a separate legal process through UAE civil courts. If you are a free zone business owner with personal assets in Dubai, a Business Owners Will is typically the most comprehensive option and can prevent your free zone shares from being frozen alongside personal assets in the event of your death.