How long is a power of attorney valid in the UAE?

A power of attorney (POA) in the UAE remains valid until one of several events ends it, rather than always lasting a fixed period. It ends when: the principal revokes it; the specific task it was granted for is completed; the principal dies or loses legal capacity; or any expiry date written into the document is reached. Some POAs are open-ended in their wording, while others state a fixed duration. In practice, certain UAE authorities and institutions may treat older POAs with caution and ask for a recent or renewed one before acting, particularly for property or banking transactions, even where the document itself has no stated end date. Because policies on how recent a POA must be can vary between departments and over time, it is best to confirm acceptance with the specific authority before relying on an older POA. If the POA was granted to you as an agent, check that none of the ending events has occurred before you act, since acting on a lapsed authority can expose you. For tailored advice you can compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI.