Quick answer: A general power of attorney (POA) lets your agent handle a broad range of your affairs in the UAE. A special POA is limited to the specific acts and assets written in it, such as selling one named property. For property, bank, court and company matters, a special POA with precise wording is usually the safer choice.
If a POA does not clearly cover what the agent is trying to do, the land department, bank or court can refuse it. This guide explains the difference between a general and a special power of attorney in the UAE and how to choose the right one.
What is the difference between a general and a special POA?
The difference is scope. A general POA gives the agent wide authority to act for you across many matters. A special POA gives the agent authority only for the acts, assets or transactions it lists.
| General POA | Special POA | |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Broad: many types of matter | Narrow: only the acts and assets listed |
| Typical uses | Following up government transactions and routine matters while you are away | Selling or buying a named property, operating a named account, transferring a vehicle, appointing a lawyer for a case |
| Wording | General powers, often in a standard form | Each act described clearly, with the asset identified exactly |
| Risk to the principal | Higher, because the agent can do more | Lower, because the authority is limited |
| Acceptance for major acts | May be refused if the act is not clearly covered | More likely to be accepted, if the wording fits the transaction |
Both types are notarised in the same way under Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2022 Regulating the Notary Profession, which has been in force since 28 December 2022.
When is a general POA not enough?
A general POA is often not enough when the agent must carry out a major act, such as selling property or appointing a lawyer. The authority, bank or other party will want to see that the POA clearly covers that exact act.
- Property. Under its Circular No. 29/R/2025, the Dubai Land Department (DLD) is reported to warn that generic wording may lead to rejection. A property POA should name the property and list each act, such as selling, signing the transfer and receiving the price.
- Court cases. Courts accept legal representation only from lawyers on the Roll of Practising Lawyers (Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2022, Art. 6(2)). To appoint a lawyer, you need a POA that authorises that lawyer for litigation. A party may also authorise a spouse, an in-law or a relative up to the fourth degree to appear (Art. 8(1)).
- Banks. Banks may have their own requirements for the accounts or facilities an agent can operate. Ask the bank what it accepts before you sign.
- Companies. A company POA is signed by the authorised signatory named on the trade licence or MOA, and notaries often ask for the licence, the MOA and sometimes a board resolution.
Which POA do you need for property, banks, cars, courts and companies?
For most specific transactions, you need a special POA written for that purpose. Use this table as a starting point.
| What the agent must do | Usual POA | What to include |
|---|---|---|
| Sell, buy, lease or manage property | Special (property) POA | The property details as registered, and each act the agent may carry out |
| Operate a bank account or settle a loan or card | Special (bank) POA | The bank, the account or facility, and the actions allowed |
| Register, renew, transfer or sell a car | Special (vehicle) POA | The vehicle details as shown on the registration card |
| File, follow or defend a court case | Litigation POA to a lawyer | The lawyer’s details and the case, or the type of cases covered |
| Act for a company | Company POA | The company, the signatory’s authority and the acts allowed |
| Handle routine matters while you are away | General POA | The range of matters the agent may deal with |
If you are buying as a foreign investor, read our guide to buying UAE property as a foreigner before you sign a property POA.
How long is a UAE power of attorney valid, and can it be cancelled?
The notary law does not set one validity period for every POA. The authority that receives the POA may apply its own rules. For example, DLD is reported to accept a POA issued abroad only if it was issued within the two years before submission. Different limits are quoted for different emirates and types of POA, so check with the authority where it will be used.
You can cancel a POA. Sign a notarised revocation, then notify the agent and every bank, department or person relying on it. For Dubai property POAs, DLD offers a free “POA cancellation notarisation” service at its main headquarters, which takes about 20 minutes. Our guide on preventing the misuse of a power of attorney explains how to protect yourself.
Can you make a special POA online?
Yes. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2022, the general rule is personal appearance (Art. 17), but the notary may complete a transaction through information-technology means without personal appearance (Art. 18). Identity checks, appearance, payment and notification can all be done electronically (Art. 19), and notarised electronic documents have the same evidential value as official instruments (Art. 23).
In practice, the principal often joins a short video call so the notary can confirm identity and consent, although Abu Dhabi’s automated service works without video calls. The channel depends on the emirate:
- Dubai: Dubai Courts e-services with a UAE PASS login, or an authorised private notary listed by Dubai Courts.
- Abu Dhabi: the ADJD fully automated online POA service launched in November 2025, using UAE PASS and pre-approved Arabic and English templates.
- Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah: the Ministry of Justice E-Notary system, or private notaries. See our guide to getting a power of attorney in Sharjah.
You can get a power of attorney online through Tasheel Legal; when your documents are ready, it can often be notarised the same day.
What if you are outside the UAE?
You have three main options:
- Remote UAE notarisation by video call, where your documents are in order and the notary can verify you.
- A UAE consul abroad. Accredited UAE consuls and diplomatic mission officers can perform notarial acts (Arts. 3 and 26).
- Sign locally and legalise. Have the POA notarised in your country, legalised by its foreign ministry and the UAE embassy or consulate, and attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). A non-Arabic POA also needs a legal translation by a UAE-licensed translator.
The UAE is not a party to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention, so an apostille does not replace UAE embassy legalisation and MOFA attestation.
What mistakes get a POA rejected?
Check these points before you sign:
- Generic wording for a major act, such as a property sale
- Assets not identified exactly as they appear on the title deed, registration card or account
- A POA made abroad that relies on an apostille instead of UAE legalisation and MOFA attestation
- No legal translation of a non-Arabic POA
- For Dubai property, a POA made abroad more than two years before submission, or an uncertified scan instead of the attested document (as reported for DLD)
- Names spelled differently on the POA and on the passport or Emirates ID
- A principal who lacks capacity, authority or consent. The notary must refuse in these cases and give reasons, and a grievance can be filed with the Department Director within 7 days (Art. 16(2)).
How Tasheel Legal can help
Tasheel Legal Consultancy in Dubai helps you choose between a general and a special POA and drafts wording that fits the transaction. Our legal team:
- asks what the agent must do, and where the POA will be used
- drafts the POA in Arabic, with an English version where needed
- arranges online notarisation by video call, inside or outside the UAE
- explains legalisation and MOFA attestation for POAs used abroad or made abroad
Not sure what you need? Book an online legal consultation. Call or WhatsApp +971 50 175 0107 (WhatsApp), or email info@tasheellegal.ae. Our office is in Al Twar 5, Dubai, open Saturday to Thursday, 9:00 to 17:00. We confirm the cost before we start.
Frequently asked questions
Can a general power of attorney be used to sell property in Dubai?
It is risky. The Dubai Land Department is reported to warn that generic wording may lead to rejection, so a general POA may not be accepted for a sale. A special property POA that names the property and lists each act, such as selling, signing the transfer and receiving the price, is the safer choice for a Dubai property transaction.
Which POA do banks and the Dubai Land Department accept?
Both look for a POA that clearly covers the exact transaction. DLD is reported to require POAs made abroad to be issued within two years, legalised by the UAE embassy, attested by MOFA and fully translated into Arabic. Banks may have their own requirements, so ask the bank what wording it accepts before you sign.
How long is a power of attorney valid in the UAE?
The UAE notary law, Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2022, does not set one validity period for all POAs. The authority receiving it may apply its own limits, so check with it before the POA is drafted. For example, DLD is reported to accept a POA issued abroad only if it was issued within the two years before submission.
Can I make a special power of attorney online?
Yes. The notary law allows a notary to complete a transaction electronically without personal appearance (Arts. 18 and 19). Often the principal joins a short video call so the notary can check identity and consent. Dubai uses Dubai Courts e-services or private notaries, Abu Dhabi has an automated ADJD service, and Sharjah uses the Ministry of Justice E-Notary.
Do I need Arabic for a UAE power of attorney?
Yes. Instruments drafted by a UAE notary must be in Arabic, and a foreign language is allowed only in cases set by a ministerial resolution (Art. 5 of Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2022). An English version can be prepared alongside the Arabic. If the notary does not speak your language, an interpreter is used.
Can a POA made abroad be used in the UAE?
Yes, once it is legalised. It must be notarised in the country where it is signed, legalised by that country’s foreign ministry and the UAE embassy or consulate, and attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The UAE is not in the Apostille Convention, so an apostille alone is not enough. A non-Arabic POA needs a legal translation.
Last updated: 20 October 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Contact us about your own situation.
Sources
- Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2022 Regulating the Notary Profession (UAE Legislation)
- Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2022 on the Legal Profession and Legal Consultation (UAE Legislation)
- Hague Apostille Convention status table (HCCH)
- Attestation services (UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
- Request for revocation of power of attorney (Dubai Land Department)
- Dubai’s new standards for powers of attorney in property deals (Mondaq, August 2025)