- UAE companies now have official Emirati corporate “citizenship,” not for owners
- Benefits include global recognition, trade agreement access, and local incentives
- Law overhaul adds flexible shares, re-domiciliation, M&A rules, and non-profit options
The UAE has revised its Commercial Companies Law and now, companies incorporated in the country can receive the status of citizenship.This privilege is given to the legal entity only and not to the private individuals who own, hold shares in or invest in the company.
Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, mentioned that any company incorporated in the UAE—be it on the mainland or in free trade zones such as DIFC or ADGM—now has full Emirati corporate identity.
The decision brings the UAE in line with international corporate standards: a company that is registered in Germany is considered to be a German company, and so businesses in the UAE get officially recognized as Emirati entities.
The officials are saying that the new legislation does not give individuals UAE nationality but rather enhances the companies' legal and international standing.
Corporate social responsibility brings a lot of different practical advantages. It gives businesses global recognition, allows them to make full use of the trade deals made by the UAE through the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs), and it also provides them with the opportunity to participate in local incentive programs and receive government support.
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By validating a company’s national identity, the UAE intends to promote international expansion while ensuring that the local economy stays strong.
This is just one aspect of a larger revision of the Commercial Companies Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2025) which also makes it possible to have different types of shares, moves companies among emirates and free zones, sets clear rules for mergers and acquisitions, and allows for non-profit commercial companies.
All these changes at once make governance more modern, make the country more attractive for investment, and solidify the UAE’s position as a premier global business hub.
The law is important in that it allows the UAE to maintain its corporate base while being able to compete in the international market as a result of the large number of new companies that have been established in recent years.