A verified reference to UAE federal laws, health authority standards, and emirate-level policies governing assisted reproductive technology and fertility care - grounded in Islamic legal principles and reviewed April 2026.
For educational and awareness purposes only. This is not legal advice. Consult a UAE-licensed legal or medical professional for guidance specific to your circumstances.
The primary federal authority responsible for setting ART standards, managing the licensing of private fertility clinics, and publishing federal health legislation under Federal Law No. 7/2019. Jurisdiction covers all seven emirates.
All EmiratesLicenses and regulates fertility clinics in Abu Dhabi. In early 2025, the DOH published the UAE's first emirate-level clinical standard for gestational surrogacy, setting out eligibility, procedural, and ethical requirements for DOH-licensed facilities.
Abu DhabiLicenses and inspects fertility clinics in Dubai and manages the Dubai Medical Registry. Dubai's mandatory health insurance framework includes coverage for specified outpatient diagnostic services relevant to fertility care.
DubaiOperates public healthcare facilities in Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain. ART services in these emirates are governed by MOHAP national standards where no local legislation applies.
Northern EmiratesAdvises on ethical dimensions of embryo research, preimplantation genetic testing, and emerging ART techniques. Issues non-binding but influential guidance on contested reproductive medicine matters at the federal level.
Federal AdvisoryThe official federal repository for all UAE laws and decrees, including health and ART legislation. Federal Law No. 7/2019 and its 2023 amendment are available in full text on this portal.
Official RepositoryThe original federal law establishing the licensing framework for ART centres in the UAE. Repealed by Federal Law No. 7 of 2019, though its implementing regulations remained in force during the transitional period as provided under Article 26 of the 2019 law.
Type: Federal Law (repealed) · Source: Federal Law No. 7/2019, Article 26 · UAE Legislation Portal
The foundational federal law governing all ART practice in the UAE. Applies to all licensed ART centres including those in free zones (Article 2). Establishes conditions for ART use: written consent, medical suitability, and specialist physician certification (Article 8). Defines prohibited practices under Article 9, preservation and destruction of frozen material under Article 13, prohibitions on commercial use of gametes under Article 14, and controls on genetic diagnosis under Article 15. Sets penalties for violations including fines between AED 200,000 and AED 1,000,000 and imprisonment of two to five years depending on the specific offence. Amended by Federal Decree-Law No. 17 of 2023.
Type: Federal Law (in force, as amended) · Source: UAE Legislation Portal · uaelegislation.gov.ae, ID 1438
A clinical standard issued by the Department of Health · Abu Dhabi, setting requirements for all licensed fertility centres in the emirate. Covers IVF laboratory accreditation, embryologist qualifications, cryopreservation protocols, and outcome reporting obligations. Compliance with Federal Law No. 7/2019 and its implementing regulations is mandatory for all licensed centres.
Type: Health Authority Clinical Standard · Source: Department of Health · Abu Dhabi (doh.gov.ae)
Issued on 4 September 2023. This decree amended Federal Law No. 7 of 2019 across multiple articles with significant reforms.
Article 2: Extended scope to all UAE centres including free zones; permitted each emirate to enact its own local ART legislation where no federal provision applies.
Article 8(2): Permitted non-Muslim individuals without a marriage certificate to apply to the relevant health authority for ART services, provided they submit a declaration establishing child lineage attribution approved by the competent entity in their country of nationality. Subject to the exact conditions in Article 8(2) and regulatory approval.
Removal of former Article 9(3): The previous prohibition on surrogacy was removed, enabling regulated gestational surrogacy for the first time at the emirate level.
The law maintains that eggs and sperm must come from the couple concerned. Use of third-party donor gametes remains prohibited under Article 14.
Type: Federal Decree-Law (in force) · Source: MOHAP official portal; UAE Legislation Portal; Lexis Middle East
Abu Dhabi published the UAE's first emirate-level clinical standard for gestational surrogacy in early 2025 (V1), subsequently updated to V2 in December 2025, effective April 2026. The standard applies exclusively to DOH-licensed hospitals and ART clinics in Abu Dhabi. Other emirates are expected to develop their own implementing frameworks under the federal law.
Key requirements: the intended mother must have a documented medical reason for not being able to carry a pregnancy; intended parents must be aged 18–47; only the couple's own gametes may be used - third-party donation is not permitted; a Medical Committee for Gestational Surrogacy must approve each case; single embryo transfer only; preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) must be completed before embryo transfer; a notarised tripartite agreement is required. Only altruistic arrangements are permitted - commercial surrogacy remains prohibited. Gestational surrogacy under this standard became available following its publication, with programmes reported to be underway in 2025.
Type: Health Authority Clinical Standard (V1 early 2025; V2 December 2025, effective April 2026) · Source: DOH Abu Dhabi (doh.gov.ae); AWS Legal Group; Ayshams Law; ART Fertility Clinics
Dubai's mandatory health insurance framework (Essential Benefits Plan) includes coverage for specified outpatient diagnostic services such as hormone profiling and semen analysis, subject to plan terms and network rules. IVF treatment cycles are not mandatorily covered and remain subject to individual insurer terms. Individuals should verify the exact scope of fertility diagnostic coverage directly with their insurer or the DHA.
Type: Insurance Framework / DHA Essential Benefits Plan · Source: Dubai Health Authority (dha.gov.ae) - verify exact scope with DHA
Updated regulatory framework for fertility-related pharmaceuticals including gonadotrophins and ovarian stimulation medications. Strengthens pharmacovigilance requirements, prescription controls, and supply chain oversight for ART-related drugs across all UAE emirates.
Type: Federal Amendment · Source: MOHAP
IVF using own gametes In vitro fertilisation using the husband's sperm and wife's eggs is permitted for legally married couples at a licensed ART centre. Written consent from both spouses is required. Federal Law No. 7/2019, Article 8(1)
IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) Permitted for married couples using the husband's sperm at a licensed clinic. Recognised as an approved ART technique under the federal law framework. Federal Law No. 7/2019; DOH ART Standard
ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) Permitted as an advanced IVF technique for married couples at licensed ART centres. Commonly used for male factor infertility. Federal Law No. 7/2019; DOH ART Standard
Embryo cryopreservation Surplus embryos may be frozen with the written consent of both spouses. Stored embryos must be destroyed upon: the death of either spouse; end of the marital relationship; at the spouses' request; or on expiry of the preservation period without an extension request. Federal Law No. 7/2019, Article 13
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) Permitted with the written consent of both spouses to identify hereditary diseases before embryo implantation, provided all necessary measures are taken not to harm the fertilised egg. Federal Law No. 7/2019, Article 15
Egg preservation (Medical Indication) Egg freezing for medical reasons is permitted. The 2023 amendment expanded access to egg preservation to additional categories of individuals beyond married couples. Verify the exact scope of eligibility against the specific provisions of Decree-Law No. 17/2023 and any implementing guidance from the relevant health authority. Federal Decree-Law No. 17/2023
ART for non-Muslim individuals without a marriage certificate Under Article 8(2) of Federal Decree-Law No. 17/2023, non-Muslim individuals without a marriage certificate may apply to the relevant health authority to access ART services. They must submit a declaration of child lineage attribution approved by the competent entity in their country of nationality. Subject to the exact conditions in Article 8(2) and regulatory approval. Federal Decree-Law No. 17/2023, Article 8(2)
Gestational Surrogacy (Regulated, Abu Dhabi) Regulated under Federal Decree-Law No. 17/2023. Abu Dhabi published the UAE's first emirate-level clinical standard in early 2025 (V2, December 2025, effective April 2026). Applies only to DOH-licensed facilities in Abu Dhabi. Other emirates are developing their own frameworks. Requires: documented medical indication; couple's own gametes only; DOH Medical Committee approval; notarised tripartite agreement; single embryo transfer; PGT-A before embryo transfer. Only altruistic - commercial surrogacy is prohibited. Gestational surrogacy became available following the standard's publication, with programmes reported to be underway in 2025. Federal Decree-Law No. 17/2023; DOH Abu Dhabi Standard (V1 early 2025; V2 December 2025)
Fertility diagnostics Hormone profiling, semen analysis, and fertility imaging may be offered at licensed fertility facilities. Dubai's mandatory health insurance framework includes coverage for specified outpatient diagnostic services - verify exact coverage scope with your insurer or the DHA. Federal Law No. 7/2019; DHA Essential Benefits Plan
Use of third-party donor gametes Centres are prohibited from disposing of unfertilised or fertilised eggs and frozen sperm to third parties - even with the couple's consent. All ART procedures must use gametes exclusively from the couple concerned. This applies to egg donation, sperm donation, and embryo donation. Federal Law No. 7/2019, Article 14(1) · confirmed unchanged under Decree-Law No. 17/2023
Traditional surrogacy Surrogacy where the surrogate is genetically related to the child using her own egg is not permitted. Only gestational surrogacy - where the surrogate carries an embryo created entirely from the intended parents' own gametes - is permitted under the regulated Abu Dhabi framework. DOH Abu Dhabi Gestational Surrogacy Standard (2025)
Commercial surrogacy Surrogacy for financial profit is not permitted. Surrogates may receive reimbursement for medical and accommodation expenses only. Only altruistic surrogacy arrangements are permitted under the Abu Dhabi framework. DOH Abu Dhabi Gestational Surrogacy Standard (2025)
Commercial use of gametes or embryos Centres are prohibited from using unfertilised or fertilised eggs and frozen sperm for commercial purposes, making non-therapeutic genetic modifications, or disposing of them to others - including with the couple's consent. Federal Law No. 7/2019, Article 14(1)
Non-therapeutic genetic modification of embryos Genetic modifications that serve no therapeutic purpose are prohibited on unfertilised or fertilised eggs and sperm. Federal Law No. 7/2019, Article 14(1)
Use of frozen embryos after dissolution of marriage or death of a spouse Fertilised eggs must be destroyed upon: the death of either spouse; end of the marital relationship; at the spouses' request; or expiry of the preservation period without an extension request. Federal Law No. 7/2019, Article 13
Unauthorised cross-border transfer of reproductive material Sending specimens of fertilised or unfertilised ova or sperm out of the UAE, or bringing such material into the UAE, is prohibited except in accordance with the controls set in the Implementing Regulations of the law. Federal Law No. 7/2019, Article 19
Operating an ART centre without a valid licence No ART centre may operate without a valid licence from the relevant health authority: MOHAP, DOH, or DHA. Violations attract fines between AED 200,000 and AED 1,000,000 depending on the specific offence and article, confinement, and potential licence suspension, cancellation, or facility closure. Federal Law No. 7/2019, Articles 23–25
| Procedure / Topic | Status | Key Condition / Legal Basis |
|---|---|---|
| IVF using own gametes (married couples) | Permitted | Licensed clinic; written consent · Art. 8(1), Federal Law No. 7/2019 |
| IUI | Permitted | Married couple; husband's sperm; licensed clinic · Federal Law No. 7/2019 |
| ICSI | Permitted | Married couple; licensed clinic · Federal Law No. 7/2019 |
| Embryo cryopreservation | Permitted | Written consent; must be destroyed on divorce, death, or expiry · Art. 13 |
| Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) | Permitted | Written consent; medical indication; embryo must not be harmed · Art. 15 |
| Egg preservation (medical indication) | Permitted | Medical indication; expanded categories under Decree-Law No. 17/2023 |
| ART for non-Muslim individuals (no marriage certificate) | Permitted with conditions | Regulatory approval; lineage declaration required; own gametes only · Art. 8(2), Decree-Law No. 17/2023 |
| Gestational surrogacy (Abu Dhabi) | Permitted (regulated) | Medical indication; own gametes only; DOH committee approval; notarised agreement; single embryo transfer; PGT-A required · Decree-Law No. 17/2023 + DOH Standard (2025) |
| Gestational surrogacy (other emirates) | Framework exists; local standards developing | Federal law enables; emirate-level implementation ongoing as of April 2026 |
| Third-party gamete or embryo donation | Prohibited | Disposal of gametes to third parties prohibited · Art. 14(1), Federal Law No. 7/2019 |
| Traditional surrogacy | Prohibited | Surrogate must not be genetically related to the child · DOH Standard 2025 |
| Commercial surrogacy | Prohibited | Only altruistic arrangements permitted · DOH Standard 2025 |
| Non-therapeutic genetic modification | Prohibited | Art. 14(1), Federal Law No. 7/2019 |
| Unlicensed ART practice | Prohibited | Fine AED 200,000–1,000,000; confinement; possible licence cancellation · Arts. 23–25 |
"The report reveals an important truth: infertility does not discriminate. The sheer proportion of people affected shows the need to widen access to fertility care and ensure this issue is no longer sidelined in health research and policy."
Adults affected globally17.5% lifetime prevalence worldwide · WHO Global Report, April 2023
High-income countriesComparable to 16.5% in low- and middle-income countries · WHO 2023
Studies analysedWHO global report covering 1990–2021 data across all world regions