Musataha Rights in the UAE: Why Registration Matters

The new Civil Transactions Law reorganises musataha rights, requires registration of the contract with the competent authority and provides for invalidity where it is not registered. Local property rules must also be checked.

Before payment or construction, verify the land title, ability to create the right, property description, duration, building and maintenance duties and the arrangements at expiry. Confirm the registration process with the authority responsible for the property.

A signed private agreement does not replace the statutory registration requirement. Procedures and restrictions can differ between emirates and property regimes.

Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025 entered into force on 1 June 2026. Check the dates, applicable special legislation and temporal rules for the particular case.