Abortion in the United Arab Emirates

Abortion in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is only legal in five instances: if the pregnancy is the result of rape; if the pregnancy is a result of incest; at the request of the couple after the approval of a regulatory committee; if the continuation of the pregnancy puts the woman's life in danger; if the foetus has a serious congenital disorder.

In addition, the abortion must be performed within the first 120 days of pregnancy. The regulatory committee must be composed of an obstetrics and gynaecology specialist, a psychiatry specialist, and a representative from the Public Prosecution according to The Ministry of Health and Prevention. Non-citizen pregnant women must hold a valid UAE residency permit for a minimum of one year. Prior to 2024, the UAE did not permit abortions in cases of rape or incest. The legislation change aimed to reduce illegal and unsafe abortions. Since the change, abortion laws within the country have been described as less restrictive than some American states which do not permit abortions in cases of rape or incest, following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

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