Skip to main content
LEXAI
Decree

General UAE Legal Questions LawDecree No. (52) of 2025

Dubai Law·52 of 2025

Issued Date
November 17, 2025
Effective from
November 17, 2025
Articles
9
Last synced
Sep 7, 2026
Download PDFOfficial source

Plain-language summary

Establishes a Free Zone in Dubai with defined boundaries. Companies and establishments licensed within the zone enjoy concessions and exemptions under applicabl…

Synced from the official UAE Legislation portal · Plain-language summary by the LEXAI editorial team

Article-level text

Key Articles

9 articles

  1. 1

    Article 1

    Article (1) The following words and expressions, wherever mentioned in this Decree, have the meaning indicated opposite each of them unless the context implies otherwise: Emirate: The Emirate of Dubai. Executive Council Resolution: Executive Council Resolution No. (50) of 2016 Regulating Dubai Municipality Markets and its amendments. DM: The Dubai Municipality. JAFZA: The Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority. DP World: The Dubai Ports World Corporation (FZE). Land Plot: The land plot No. (71117180), Al Aweer First, whose boundaries and area are demarcated in the plan attached to this Decree. Free Zone: The free zone established under this Decree on the Land Plot. Establishment of the Free Zone

  2. 2

    Article 2

    Article (2) Pursuant to this Decree, a Free Zone is established on the Land Plot whose boundaries and area are demarcated in the plan attached to this Decree. Applicability of Legislation

  3. 3

    Article 3

    Article (3) a. The Free Zone established under this Decree and the Companies and Establishments licensed to operate therein will be governed by the following legislation and the resolutions issued in pursuance thereof: 1. the above-mentioned Law No. (1) of 1980; 2. the above-mentioned Law No. (2) of 1986; 3. the above-mentioned Law No. (1) of 2002; and 4. the above-mentioned Decree No. (1) of 1985.

    -- 2 of 5 --

    Decree No. (52) of 2025 Establishing a Free Zone in the Emirate of Dubai Page 3 of 5 b. JAFZA will exercise the powers vested in it under the legislation referred to in paragraph (a) of this Article, the resolutions issued in pursuance thereof, and other legislation in force in the Emirate, within the Free Zone, and over the Companies and Establishments licensed by JAFZA to operate therein. Concessions and Exemptions

  4. 4

    Article 4

    Article (4) The Companies and Establishments licensed to operate in the Free Zone will enjoy the concessions and exemptions provided for under the legislation referred to in Article (3) of this Decree and other legislation in force in the Emirate. Applicability of the Executive Council Resolution

  5. 5

    Article 5

    Article (5) a. Notwithstanding the provisions of the legislation specified in paragraph (a) of Article (3) of this Decree, the provisions of the Executive Council Resolution and the resolutions issued in pursuance thereof will apply within the Free Zone, and the DM will exercise the powers vested in it under those provisions. b. The DM may, in accordance with the legislation in force, outsource to DP World the management, operation, or investment of all or part of the facilities or operations conducted in the DM Markets located within the Free Zone. The DM may also outsource to DP World, or to any other entity, any of its Market oversight and supervision functions assigned under the provisions of the Executive Council Resolution and the resolutions issued in implementation thereof, pursuant to an agreement concluded for that purpose. The outsource agreement will provide for the rights and obligations of the DM and the contracted party. Tax Legislation

  6. 6

    Article 6

    Article (6) Prior to the effective date of this Decree, JAFZA must coordinate with the Tax Affairs Office of the Department of Finance and fulfil the requirements specified by the Tax Affairs Office to ensure compliance with the tax legislation in force in the United Arab Emirates. Compliance with this Decree

  7. 7

    Article 7

    Article (7) All Companies and Establishments licensed to operate within the Free Zone must comply with the legislation applicable to JAFZA within one (1) year from the effective date of this Decree.

    -- 3 of 5 --

    Decree No. (52) of 2025 Establishing a Free Zone in the Emirate of Dubai Page 4 of 5 Repeals

  8. 8

    Article 8

    Article (8) Any provision in any other legislation is hereby repealed to the extent that it contradicts the provisions of this Decree. Publication and Commencement

  9. 9

    Article 9

    Article (9) This Decree will be published in the Official Gazette and will come into force on the day on which it is published. Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Ruler of Dubai Issued in Dubai on 17 November 2025 Corresponding to 26 Jumada al-Ula 1447 A.H.

    -- 4 of 5 --

    Decree No. (52) of 2025 Establishing a Free Zone in the Emirate of Dubai Page 5 of 5

    -- 5 of 5 --

Note: This legislation is sourced from the Dubai Legislation Portal (dlp.dubai.gov.ae). The original Arabic text is the authoritative version.

Articles in this law(9)
  1. 1Article (1) The following words and expressions, wherever mentioned in this Decr
  2. 2Article (2) Pursuant to this Decree, a Free Zone is established on the Land Plot
  3. 3Article (3) a. The Free Zone established under this Decree and the Companies and
  4. 4Article (4) The Companies and Establishments licensed to operate in the Free Zon
  5. 5Article (5) a. Notwithstanding the provisions of the legislation specified in pa
  6. 6Article (6) Prior to the effective date of this Decree, JAFZA must coordinate wi
  7. 7Article (7) All Companies and Establishments licensed to operate within the Free
  8. 8Article (8) Any provision in any other legislation is hereby repealed to the ext
  9. 9Article (9) This Decree will be published in the Official Gazette and will come
Reading shortcut

Ask LEXAI a question about 52 of 2025.

Plain-English answers, with a citation back to the exact article. Free to use, no sign-up.

LEXAI provides general legal information, not legal advice. For your specific case, speak to a licensed UAE lawyer.

Ask a question

Keep reading

Related guides

General

Enjaz Abu Dhabi: What Injaz Centres Do and How to Use Them

A practical guide to Enjaz (Injaz) centres in Abu Dhabi — the service centres listed by the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department for case filing, notary public work, attestations and court data entry — where they are, what they handle, how hours differ by centre, and why the Saudi visa platform with the same name is a different thing entirely.

5 min read

General

Consumer Complaints in the UAE: How to File One and Escalate It (2026)

A step-by-step guide to the UAE consumer complaint ladder: what you demand from the seller, when the emirate's economic department takes over, how the Ministry of Economy channel works, the laws behind each step, and the point where the courts start.

5 min read

General

Types of Lawyers in the UAE — Advocates, Consultants and Every Practice Area Explained

UAE law licenses two categories of lawyer — advocates who appear in court and legal consultants who advise. This guide maps both, walks through every major practice area, and shows how to verify a licence before hiring anyone.

5 min read