General vs Special POA in Dubai: choosing the right type
Welcome to the POA's desk.
Here is the single most common mistake people make when getting a Power of Attorney in Dubai: they choose the wrong type. The document looks legitimate — it's drafted, signed and notarised — but when it reaches the Dubai Land Department, a bank or a court, it gets rejected and the deal collapses.
In this episode we make sure that doesn't happen to you.
The most important decision: General vs Special
A Power of Attorney, or POA, is a legal document that lets someone act on your behalf. The difference between General POAs and Special POAs is the most important decision you will make.
General POAs give broad authority over financial, legal, business and property matters. They let the attorney step into your shoes across many areas at once. Special POAs grant authority for one specific action only. They are transactional by design and end once that action is complete.
The rule that catches almost everyone out
Here is the rule that catches almost everyone out: under UAE law, General POAs that authorise the sale of real estate in Dubai can only be granted to a first-degree relative — your spouse, parent or child. Not a friend, not a lawyer, not a service provider. If you want anyone else to sell your Dubai property, you must use Special POAs. The Dubai Land Department will reject a General POA in that situation.
When a Special POA is the right choice
Special POAs are the correct choice for property sales or purchases, bank account operations, specific court proceedings or vehicle transfers. For a property sale they must name the exact title deed number, plot or unit number and location, and they must explicitly state the powers — the words "sell," "transfer" and "receive proceeds" must appear. Property sale POAs are valid for a maximum of two years; property purchase POAs up to five years.
When a General POA is the right choice
General POAs are the right instrument when you need ongoing management of your affairs — handling bank accounts, legal correspondence, document renewals and administrative matters over time — especially if the attorney is a trusted first-degree relative. They are also useful for broad company operations or family matters where the exact tasks cannot be listed in advance.
You can hold more than one
You can hold multiple POAs at the same time. You can have a General POA for ongoing affairs and a separate Special POA for a specific property sale. You can even appoint more than one attorney in the same document and state whether they must act jointly or severally.
The rules most people get wrong
Here are the rules most people get wrong:
- General POAs cannot be used for property sales unless the attorney is a first-degree relative.
- The authority must be stated explicitly — implied powers are not accepted.
- The property must be identified exactly by title deed number, plot or unit number and location.
- Both principal and attorney must be legally competent adults.
- Some banks and authorities only accept POAs notarised within the last twelve to twenty-four months.
A simple decision framework
The simple decision framework is this: if you need to sell or transfer a specific Dubai property, the answer is always a Special POA, no matter who the attorney is. If you need broad, ongoing authority across many matters and the attorney is a trusted first-degree relative, a General POA may work. When in doubt, confirm the correct type before you pay for anything.
Getting it done
If you need a POA for property sale, purchase, bank accounts or corporate matters, start at poas.ae. We confirm the correct type and show the fixed fee before you commit to anything. Property Sale and Management POAs, Corporate POAs are all AED 2,199. Bank Account POAs is AED 1,999. All fees shown in full on the site.
Coming next
In Episode Three we walk through exactly how to get a Power of Attorney in Dubai when you are not in the country — the remote notarisation process step by step.
I'm Patrick. Thanks for joining me at the POA's desk. See you in Episode Three.
Key takeaways
- The most common reason a Dubai POA is rejected is choosing the wrong type.
- General = broad authority across many matters; Special = one specific action that ends on completion.
- A General POA can authorise a real-estate sale only to a first-degree relative — anyone else needs a Special POA.
- A property-sale POA must name the exact property and state "sell, transfer, receive proceeds"; sale POAs last max two years, purchase up to five.
- You can hold several POAs at once and appoint attorneys jointly or severally.
Frequently asked questions
Can a friend sell my Dubai property under a General POA?
No. A General POA can authorise a real-estate sale only to a first-degree relative (spouse, parent or child). For anyone else you need a Special POA, or the Dubai Land Department will reject it.
When should I use a General POA?
For broad, ongoing management — bank accounts, correspondence, renewals — especially where the attorney is a trusted first-degree relative and the exact tasks can't be listed in advance.
How long is a property POA valid?
Property-sale POAs last a maximum of two years and purchase POAs up to five; some banks and authorities accept only those notarised within the last 12–24 months.