Understanding Abortion Law in the UAE
Abortion laws in the UAE are regulated through federal legislation combined with specific cabinet and ministerial decisions. Federal Decree-Law No. 4/2016 on Medical Liability, along with Cabinet Decision No. 44/2024, establishes the legal framework for when abortion may be carried out. These laws continue to apply through 2025 and into
buy abortion pills in Dubai, governing medical practice across all emirates, including Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
In simple terms, abortion is not legally available on request in the UAE. It is permitted only when specific legal, medical, and ethical requirements are fully met.
Key Permissible Circumstances Under UAE Abortion Law
Under the current abortion UAE law, termination of pregnancy may be allowed only in limited situations. These rules apply nationwide, including under abortion law Dubai and the abortion legal status Abu Dhabi.
1. Risk to the Mother’s Life
Abortion is legally allowed if continuing the pregnancy presents a serious and proven threat to the woman’s life. This exception has long been recognized in UAE law.
2. Serious Fetal Abnormalities
If qualified medical specialists confirm that the fetus suffers from severe congenital defects that make survival impossible, abortion may be permitted, provided the pregnancy is under 120 days.
3. Pregnancy Resulting from Rape
Recent legal updates allow abortion when pregnancy occurs as a result of rape or sexual assault. This requires official documentation issued by the Public Prosecution.
4. Pregnancy Resulting from Incest
Abortion may also be legally approved in cases of incest, again subject to formal legal proof such as a Public Prosecution report.
5. Spousal Medical Requests
In limited circumstances, a married couple may jointly request an abortion. Such cases must be reviewed and Abortion pills Available in Dubai approved by a designated medical committee under national regulations.
All permitted cases must generally occur before 120 days of pregnancy, except where immediate medical intervention is required to save the woman’s life.
How Legal Abortions Are Approved
According to UAE abortion regulations 2026, abortion procedures must follow a strict approval process:
Medical Committee Review
Each request is reviewed by an authorized medical committee, usually composed of a gynecologist, psychiatrist, and a representative from the Public Prosecution. Approval is granted only if legal conditions are satisfied.
Licensed Facilities and Doctors
Abortions may only be carried out in licensed medical facilities by qualified healthcare professionals authorized to practice in the UAE.
Consent and Documentation
Written consent from the pregnant woman is mandatory. If she is unable to provide consent, her husband or legal guardian may consent unless it is an emergency case. Non-citizen women must typically hold a valid UAE residency permit for at least one year.
Counseling and Support
Medical and psychological counseling is often required both before and after the procedure to ensure informed decision-making and emotional support.
Abortion Legal Status in Abu Dhabi vs Dubai
Although abortion pills in Dubai and the abortion legal status Abu Dhabi fall under the same federal legislation, each emirate manages its own healthcare systems and approval committees. However, the legal conditions for abortion remain consistent throughout the UAE.
In practice:
Abu Dhabi follows the federal law through its own medical review committees and licensing authorities.
Dubai applies the same national standards with local health authority oversight.
As a result, residents in both emirates are subject to identical legal requirements under the abortion UAE law.
Is Abortion Legal in UAE Outside These Conditions?
No. Any abortion performed outside the legally defined circumstances is considered illegal. Individuals involved in unauthorized abortion procedures may face severe criminal penalties under UAE law.
Compared to many Western countries, the UAE maintains a highly restrictive approach, allowing abortion only within carefully regulated medical and legal boundaries.
Conclusion
The abortion legal status Abu Dhabi reflects the UAE’s strict but structured approach to reproductive healthcare. While the question “is abortion legal in UAE” can be answered yes in specific cases, abortion is not permitted on demand. The UAE abortion regulations 2026 confirm that termination of pregnancy is allowed only in defined situations—such as life-threatening risk, severe fetal abnormalities, rape, incest, and select spousal cases—and only after formal legal and medical approval.