Reviewed against the official UAE legal text
Short answer: abortion is not an unrestricted, on-demand service in the UAE. It is permitted only in cases defined by law and through a regulated process involving an authorised health facility, clinical assessment and the required approvals.
Cabinet Resolution No. 44 of 2024 established detailed rules for additional permitted abortion cases in the United Arab Emirates. The resolution should be read together with the wider UAE medical-liability framework. It does not make online abortion-pill sales or private, unverified procedures lawful.
What Cabinet Resolution No. 44 of 2024 covers
The resolution identifies circumstances in which an abortion request may be considered. The official English text includes the following categories:
- A pregnancy resulting from intercourse against the woman’s will, without her consent, or where her will is not legally taken into account.
- A pregnancy caused by a relative or a person with whom marriage would be permanently unlawful.
- A request made by the spouses, subject to approval by the competent committee.
These categories do not amount to automatic approval. The facts, documents, clinical circumstances and statutory conditions still have to be assessed through the official process. Other medical grounds recognised under the UAE medical-liability framework can also be relevant, including circumstances involving serious risk to the pregnant woman’s life or specified fetal conditions.
Key statutory conditions
Pregnancy duration
The official text states that the pregnancy must not exceed 120 days at the time of the abortion. Clinical dating and the legal calculation require professional assessment.
Authorised facility
The procedure must be carried out through a health facility authorised by the competent health authority to perform abortions.
Approval and records
The responsible committee and facility must follow the prescribed assessment, approval, documentation and medical-record requirements.
Written consent
Written consent from the pregnant woman is required before the procedure, subject to the limited alternatives specified by law where her consent cannot be obtained.
Residence requirement for non-citizens
The resolution states that a pregnant non-citizen must hold a valid UAE residence permit for at least one year before the request date. Because immigration history and exceptional circumstances can be fact-specific, readers should confirm how this condition applies through an authorised facility or qualified UAE legal professional.
What the committee does
The committee is part of the formal approval pathway. It considers the request and supporting information under the resolution rather than providing a general online permission. A social-media account, medicine seller, website operator or individual doctor acting outside the authorised process cannot replace the committee or the competent health authority.
Readers should expect to provide accurate information and relevant documents to the authorised facility. Do not send medical records or identity documents to unverified websites or messaging accounts.
What the 2024 resolution does not mean
- It does not legalise abortion on demand in Dubai or elsewhere in the UAE.
- It does not make anonymous online medicine sellers lawful healthcare providers.
- It does not remove the need for clinical assessment, consent, official approval or an authorised facility.
- It does not guarantee that a request will be approved.
- It does not make a copied medication schedule a substitute for medical care.
How to seek reliable guidance
- Use the Dubai Medical Registry to locate a licensed healthcare professional or facility.
- Ask the facility whether it is authorised for the relevant service and how the formal assessment process works.
- Read the official text of Cabinet Resolution No. 44 of 2024.
- For case-specific legal interpretation, consult a qualified UAE legal professional.
Urgent health concerns
Very heavy bleeding, fainting, breathing difficulty, severe or worsening pain, confusion, or fever with serious illness require urgent in-person medical assessment. Do not wait for an online legal or medical reply.
Frequently asked questions
Does the resolution apply only in Dubai?
It is a federal UAE Cabinet Resolution. Implementation and facility authorisation are handled through the competent health authorities.
Does the 120-day limit guarantee eligibility?
No. It is one statutory condition. The permitted ground, evidence, approvals, clinical assessment and other requirements must also be satisfied.
Can this website confirm whether my case is legal?
No. This website provides general information only. It cannot assess evidence, establish pregnancy duration, issue committee approval or provide individual legal advice.
Primary source and review note
Primary source: UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 44 of 2024 Concerning the Permitted Abortion Cases.
Last reviewed: 27 August 2026. This article is general legal and health information, not advice for an individual case. The official legal text prevails if any summary differs from it.
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How to verify a licensed clinic in Dubai and the UAE · Medication and clinical-care process · Abortion-pill access, cost and safety · Mifepristone and misoprostol safety · Official licensed-care directories