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UAE Constitution 1971 — Permanent 1996

UAE Constitution Articles & Chapters Guide

Explore all 152 Articles of the UAE Constitution across 10 Chapters — from federal sovereignty and fundamental rights to legislative, executive, and judicial authority.

Constitutional Framework of the UAE

The UAE Constitution, promulgated on 2 December 1971 and made permanent on 20 May 1996, is the supreme law of the United Arab Emirates. It establishes the federal structure of seven emirates — Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah — united under a common government while retaining individual emirate sovereignty in non-federal matters.

Divided into 152 Articles across 10 Chapters, the Constitution defines the UAE's federal institutions, guarantees fundamental rights, and delineates federal vs emirate legislative powers. For UAE government structure, see our Federal Government Structure Guide and UAE Supreme Court & Judicial System Guide.

Browse Constitution Chapters

Interlinked UAE Portals

⚖️ Fundamental Rights & Duties →🏛️ Federal Government Structure →⚖️ Supreme Court & Judiciary →

Chapter I: The Union & Its Purposes

  • 📜 Art. 1 — The State
  • 📜 Art. 2 — Official Religion & Language
  • 📜 Art. 3 — Flag & Emblem
  • 📜 Art. 4 — Capital (Abu Dhabi)
  • 📜 Art. 5 — The Arab Nation
  • 📜 Art. 6 — Sovereignty of Union

UAE Constitution at a Glance

Promulgated:2 December 1971
Made Permanent:20 May 1996
Total Articles:152 Articles
Chapters:10 Chapters
Official Language:Arabic (Art. 7)
Official Religion:Islam (Art. 7)
Capital:Abu Dhabi (Art. 4)

Frequently Asked Questions (UAE Constitution)

The UAE Constitution was promulgated on 2 December 1971, the day the United Arab Emirates was formally established. It was initially provisional and made permanent on 20 May 1996.

The UAE Constitution contains 152 Articles divided into 10 Chapters, covering the Union, fundamental rights, federal institutions, legislative authority, executive authority, judicial authority, and finances.

Article 7 of the UAE Constitution establishes Arabic as the official language of the Union and Islam as the official state religion.

Chapter III of the UAE Constitution (Articles 25–45) guarantees personal liberty, equality before the law, presumption of innocence, freedom of movement, privacy, and protection from arbitrary detention. See our Fundamental Rights Guide.
UAE Ministry of Justice VerifiedOfficial Constitutional Source

• UAE Ministry of Justice (Constitution Full Text): moj.gov.ae
• UAE Federal National Council (FNC): fnc.gov.ae