Banking & finance: UAE legislation

Federal Decree-Law No. (6) of 2025 Regarding the Central Bank, Regulation of Financial Institutions and Activities, and Insurance Business

The current Central Bank statute, in force from 16 September 2025: it governs the Central Bank's objectives and governance, makes the Central Bank the licensing authority for financial institutions, financial activities and the insurance sector, and empowers it to set licence conditions and impose administrative penalties; the CBUAE Rulebook records that it repealed Decretal Federal Law No. 14 of 2018.

Federal Decree-Law No. (30) of 2024 Regarding the "Know Your Client" Digital Platform

Establishes a national Know Your Client digital platform, run by a company whose board is chaired by an assistant Central Bank governor and regulated by the Central Bank, to collect, analyse and share client-verification data from financial institutions, government bodies and private companies and to issue KYC reports to authorised users with the client's consent.

Decretal Federal Law No. (14) of 2018 Regarding the Central Bank and Organization of Financial Institutions and Activities

The 2018 Central Bank law, effective 31 October 2018 and consolidated through six amendments to 2023, which organised the Central Bank, the licensing and supervision of banks and other financial institutions and the conduct of financial activities; the CBUAE Rulebook marks it as repealed by Federal Decree-Law No. 6 of 2025.

Cabinet Decision No. 34 of 2025 on Qualifying Investment Funds and Qualifying Limited Partnerships for the Purposes of Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 on the Taxation of Corporations and Businesses

Replaces Cabinet Decision No. 81 of 2023 for tax periods starting on or after 1 January 2025, setting the conditions for investment funds, REITs and qualifying limited partnerships to be exempt from corporate tax and how investors adjust their taxable income for distributions and property income.

Cabinet Decision No. 81 of 2023 on Conditions for Qualifying Investment Funds for the Purposes of Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 on the Taxation of Corporations and Businesses

Sets the conditions for an investment fund or REIT to be exempt from corporate tax: investment business as main activity, investor diversity limits, a regulated manager with at least three professionals, and for REITs AED 100 million of real estate and a 70% asset ratio; repealed by Cabinet Decision No. 34 of 2025 for tax periods from 1 January 2025.

Central Bank Board of Directors' Decision No. 59/4/2019 Regarding Procedures for Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism and Illicit Organizations

The Central Bank's entry-point AML regulation for licensed financial institutions. It obliges banks, exchange houses, finance companies and other licensees and their staff to comply with the federal AML law, its regulations and Central Bank instructions, gives the Central Bank inspection powers including unannounced examinations, and provides for administrative sanctions. It cancelled Circular No. 24/2000.

ADGM Financial Services and Markets Regulations 2015 (FSMR)

ADGM's primary financial-services statute, modelled on the UK Financial Services and Markets Act 2000: it sets the powers, functions and objectives of the Financial Services Regulatory Authority, the general prohibition on regulated activities without authorisation, market abuse and enforcement, supplemented by the FSRA Rulebooks. Headline record only; the text is in the Thomson Reuters-hosted ADGM rulebook.

Regulatory Law, DIFC Law No. 1 of 2004

The cornerstone DFSA statute: it establishes the Dubai Financial Services Authority, its Board and the Financial Markets Tribunal, prohibits financial services in or from the DIFC without authorisation, and provides for supervision, enforcement, auditor registration and registration of designated non-financial businesses and professions. The DFSA copy is consolidated to August 2014; later amendments appear in the DFSA rulebook.

Cabinet Resolution No. 28 of 2007 on the Implementing Regulations of Federal Law No. 8 of 2004 Concerning Financial Free Zones

Ten-article implementing regulation setting how financial free zones are established, which banking, insurance, securities and market activities they may host, licensing conditions, limits on dealing with the UAE domestic market, and the zones' reporting and cooperation duties towards federal authorities.

Law No. (8) of 2007 Concerning Escrow Accounts for Real Estate Development in the Emirate of Dubai

Requires developers selling off-plan units to be registered and licensed and to deposit buyers' payments in a separate escrow account per project managed by an accredited agent, with a 5% retention after completion, depositor protection if a project stalls and penalties for breach; in force on Gazette publication.