Federal Decree by Law No. (25) of 2024 Concerning the Practice of Economic Activities in the State by Citizens of GCC States

Purpose and legislative background

The decree-law updates the federal basis for GCC economic integration in the UAE by stating a broad equal-treatment rule for GCC citizens and legal persons while preserving specified regulatory exceptions.

No amendment was identified in the official legislation page reviewed on 31 August 2026.

Scope and who it applies to

• Natural-person citizens of GCC member states seeking to practise economic activities or professions in the UAE.
• Legal persons qualifying as GCC citizens/entities under the applicable framework.
• UAE licensing and regulatory authorities processing applications by GCC citizens or GCC legal persons.

Key definitions

• The operative text uses the concept of citizens of GCC States and expressly covers both natural and legal persons. Qualification as a GCC legal person should be checked against applicable GCC and UAE rules.

Main rights and obligations

• Eligible GCC citizens benefit from the federal equal-treatment principle when practising economic activities and professions.
• Applicants remain responsible for obtaining licences, permits and professional approvals required by the applicable activity.
• Authorities must apply any lawful GCC Supreme Council exclusions and UAE Cabinet conditions.

Procedures and compliance

• Confirm GCC citizenship or qualifying GCC legal-person status.
• Identify the exact economic activity or profession and the competent federal/local regulator.
• Check current excluded/conditioned activities and obtain all ordinary licences and professional approvals.

Deadlines and time limits

• Effective date: 1 October 2024.
• The decree-law itself does not establish a general licence-application deadline.

Enforcement, violations and penalties

['The decree-law does not replace penalties and enforcement provisions in sector-specific business or professional legislation. Non-compliance with licensing rules is addressed under the legislation governing the activity concerned.']

Source distinction: A penalty or enforcement measure stated as part of the legislation must be checked against the enacted article. Administrative details may be supplied by Cabinet, ministry, regulator or judicial-authority instruments. The practical commentary here is not a substitute for those instruments.

Practical scenarios

1. A GCC national applying for a mainland business licence should be assessed under the equal-treatment principle, while still satisfying licensing conditions for the activity.
2. A GCC-incorporated legal person should first establish that it falls within the qualifying GCC legal-person framework before relying on equal treatment.
3. A professional activity may remain conditioned by qualification-recognition or a Cabinet decision even though the applicant is a GCC citizen.

Amendments and related legislation

No amendment was identified in the official legislation page reviewed on 31 August 2026.

Related legislation and official guidance listed in the manifest and research notes should be checked together with the principal law, especially where the principal law delegates detail to an executive regulation, Cabinet resolution, regulator rule or judicial guide.

What businesses and individuals should check

• Equal treatment does not remove sector-specific licensing, qualification, ownership, professional-registration or local permit requirements.
• Before launching an activity, check whether a GCC Supreme Council decision or UAE Cabinet decision excludes or conditions the activity.
• Regulated professions may still require recognition of qualifications, professional registration, insurance or other sector approvals.
• Confirm that the version of the law and implementing instruments being used is current on the date of the transaction or dispute.
• Keep a copy or citation of the official source used for any compliance decision.
• Do not rely on the cover artwork as evidence of official publication or government endorsement.

When legal advice may be useful

Professional interpretation may be useful where the applicable legal regime is disputed, a licence or regulatory perimeter is unclear, a transitional rule affects an existing right or contract, a penalty or enforcement action is possible, or facts span multiple Emirates, free zones or foreign jurisdictions.

Information status

This explanation was researched and checked on 2026-08-31. It provides general legal information and should be re-verified against the official source for any later amendment or implementing decision.