UAE Abortion Law: Comprehensive Guide to Key Amendments and Developments in 2024-2025

UAE Abortion Law: Comprehensive Guide to the Latest Legal Developments (2024–2025)

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

Key Takeaways

• The UAE has expanded permissible abortion grounds via Cabinet Decision No. 44/2024 and Federal Decree-Law No. 18 of 2023, in force since 21 June 2024, complementing the Medical Liability Law (Federal Decree-Law 4/2016, as amended by Decree-Law 18/2023) and the Crimes and Penalties Law (Federal Decree-Law 31/2021).
• Legal abortion is only allowed in cases of: threat to the woman’s life; severe fetal malformations; rape; incest; or a joint spousal request.
• Approval by a specialized committee—consisting of at least three licensed doctors and a Public Prosecution representative—is mandatory.
• Expatriate women must have at least one year of legal residency in the UAE to qualify.
• Unlawful abortions carry severe criminal penalties, including imprisonment and/or hefty fines.

Introduction

In the landscape of contemporary Middle Eastern legal reforms, the UAE abortion law has undergone a historic transformation between 2024 and 2025. This article unpacks the key amendments—most notably Cabinet Decision No. 44/2024 and Federal Decree-Law No. 18 of 2023—and examines how they redefine the permissible grounds, procedures, and penalties associated with abortion in the Emirates.

The Legal Backbone: Key UAE Abortion Law Amendments (2024–2025)

The key turning point arrived with Cabinet Decision No. 44/2024 (effective 21 June 2024) and Federal Decree-Law No. 18 of 2023 (amending Medical Liability Law 4/2016). As of October 2025, these instruments—together with Federal Decree-Law No. 31/2021—form the bedrock of permissible abortion regulation in the UAE, expanding and clarifying the legal landscape.

Prior to these updates, abortion was only allowed when the woman’s life was in immediate danger, often requiring spousal consent and carrying heavy criminal sanctions. The 2024–2025 amendments have thus reshaped medical protocols, legal procedures, and the broader social discourse.

Permissible Cases for Legal Abortion in the UAE (2024–2025)

Under the revised regime, abortion is lawful only in the following narrowly defined circumstances:

1. Threat to the Pregnant Woman’s Life

An abortion is permitted at any stage if continuation poses a tangible and severe risk to the woman’s life. In such cases, the woman’s consent alone suffices, and there is no gestational limit.

2. Severe Fetal Malformations or Deformities

If diagnostic tests reveal severe congenital malformations incompatible with life, abortion is authorized up to 120 days of gestation.

3. Rape or Non-consensual Pregnancy

Documented cases of rape or other non-consensual acts now qualify for a legal termination, up to 120 days, with only the woman’s consent required. For rape, the ground must be proven by an official Public Prosecution report.

4. Incestuous Pregnancy

Pregnancies resulting from incest may be terminated upon committee approval, recognizing the serious psychological and medical harms involved. For incest, the ground must be proven by an official Public Prosecution report.

5. Joint Spousal Request

This unique provision allows a joint request by both spouses, subject to stringent committee review. Spousal consent is mandatory in these cases.

All other motives—economic, social, personal or elective—remain strictly prohibited and incur heavy criminal liability.

Except for life-saving cases under the Medical Liability Law, the authorities emphasize a 120-day gestational limit for the additional permitted grounds introduced in 2024.

Procedural Safeguards and Oversight

Committee Oversight: Multi-Doctor, Multi-Agency Regulation

No abortion under the lawful grounds can proceed without approval by a specialized committee—comprising at least three licensed doctors and a Public Prosecution representative. Each health authority must establish such a committee to ensure consistency and accountability. A committee in each health authority—OB-GYN, psychiatrist, and Public Prosecution representative—must decide within 5 working days; decisions require consensus, with a 5-day appeal window to the Minister/Head of Health Authority.

Committee duties include:

• Verifying the legal ground for abortion
• Evaluating medical records and evidence
• Issuing reasoned approval or rejection

Key takeaway: Committee approval is a non-negotiable legal requirement.

Residency Requirement: Expatriate Concerns

Expatriate women must demonstrate at least one year of legal residency in the UAE before applying for a legal abortion. Source

Consent Rules: Increased Autonomy for Women

• Threat to life: Woman’s consent only.
• Fetal deformities, rape, incest: Woman’s consent only.
• Spousal request cases: Consent of both partners required.
• Written consent of the pregnant woman is required before the procedure. If she is unable to consent, the consent of her husband or guardian may be used. No consent is required in emergencies.

Time Limits: 120 Days with Life-Threat Exceptions

Except where the woman’s life is at risk, all permitted abortions must occur within 120 days of gestation. Life-threat cases may exceed this limit with committee approval.

Healthcare Facility Requirements

Only licensed government or approved private facilities may perform abortions. Detailed documentation and reporting to health authorities are mandatory.

Criminal Sanctions: The Costs of Non-Compliance

• Unlawful abortions attract imprisonment and/or substantial fines for the woman and any assisting party.
• Repeat or organized offenders face aggravated penalties; harm or fatality resulting from illegal procedures triggers enhanced sanctions.
• Criminal penalties (Penal Code Art. 391):
  – Self-abortion: incarceration for a period not exceeding 1 year and/or fine not exceeding AED 10,000.
  – Person who deliberately aborts a woman with her consent: perpetrator’s incarceration for a period not less than 2 years or fine not less than AED 10,000.
  – By health professional: temporary imprisonment for a period not exceeding 5 years.
  – Without consent: temporary imprisonment for a period not exceeding 7 years.
  – Attempt: half the prescribed penalties.
  – Assault leading to abortion is an aggravating circumstance (Art. 390).

Comparing Old and New: Major Legal Shifts and Societal Implications

• Expanded Grounds: Now includes rape, incest, spousal request, and severe deformities.
• Women’s Autonomy: Husband’s blanket approval requirement removed, aligning more closely with human rights norms.
• Institutional Checks: Committee oversight enhances transparency but adds administrative layers.
• Expatriate Inclusion: One-year residency rule applies strictly, reflecting national policy priorities.

Practical Steps for Individuals and Practitioners

• Only licensed medical practitioners at approved facilities may conduct abortions.
• Pre-approval by the specialized committee is mandatory; applications without it are invalid.
• Expatriate applicants must prove a full year of legal residency.
• Elective, non-medical abortions remain strictly prohibited.
• Consult a reputable UAE-based legal consultant with expertise in medical and family law for guidance.

Intersection with Other Legal Developments

The evolution of the UAE abortion law parallels broader reforms in the UAE’s labour sector, including the labour law UAE. While direct overlaps are rare, workplace policies on pregnancy and employee medical rights may intersect with these legal changes.

References to Legislation and Guidance

• Cabinet Decision No. 44/2024 (21 June 2024; in force)
• Federal Decree-Law No. 18 of 2023 (Amending Medical Liability Law 4/2016)
• Federal Decree-Law No. 31/2021 (Crimes and Penalties Law)

Conclusion: Toward a More Nuanced Legal and Social Approach

The profound changes to the UAE abortion law over the past two years mark a significant shift—expanding permissible grounds while retaining strict procedural safeguards and penalties. Navigating these reforms demands vigilance, expert guidance, and a deep understanding of both statutory provisions and practical procedures, especially for expatriate women, healthcare professionals, and legal advisors. For ongoing updates, rely on reputable, law-focused resources and UAE-based specialists in medical and family law.

FAQ

• Q: Is abortion legal in the UAE for economic or social reasons?
  A: No. Elective abortions for non-medical reasons remain prohibited and incur criminal penalties.
• Q: Who must approve a legal abortion in the UAE?
  A: A specialized committee of at least three licensed doctors plus a Public Prosecution representative must grant approval.
• Q: Can expatriate women access abortion services in the UAE?
  A: Yes—provided they have held legal residency in the UAE for at least one year and meet the permitted grounds.
• Q: What are the penalties for performing an illegal abortion?
  A: Unlawful abortions can lead to imprisonment and/or significant fines for both the woman and any assisting medical professional.