Home » Laws » Cohabitation: What does the law say? People from all around the world wish to make the UAE their new home. Understandably, this growing population comes with a diversification of lifestyles and family structures.
This includes the cohabitation of unmarried couples, which has been criminally punishable since the inception of the Emirate.
However, in , the UAE made history by relaxing its laws to accommodate expats and tourists in an informal relationship. Our blog post delves into the current legalities of cohabitation in the UAE, explaining the laws concerning it. The short answer is yes. However, it comes with a few caveats. One of which is the consent of a spouse or legal guardian under Article of Federal Decree Law No.
Either partner can still face repercussions if their spouse or legal guardian files an objection. Unless that spouse or legal guardian takes back the complaint, the person can face a minimum of 6 months in prison.
Another issue arises if a child is born to an unmarried couple. Consensual sex between unmarried partners is legal, but special considerations are in place in case of childbirth. As of November , unmarried couples can freely stay together in hotel rooms without any legal troubles. Moreover, opposite-sex residents can also legally live together in an apartment.
