20 July 2026
Debt Collection in Dubai
Learn the main ways to recover debts in Dubai and the laws that apply to each procedure. Contact our lawyers in Dubai for debt collection support.
There are several ways to conduct a debt collection procedure in Dubai in 2026. If you need support in such a situation, we offer professional services.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Applicable law | – the UAE Crimes and Penalties Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021), only for fraud-related conduct, – the Civil Procedure Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2022), – the Civil Transactions Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025, in force since 1 June 2026), – the Commercial Transactions Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 50 of 2022) |
Other specific regulations that apply (if any) | Federal Law No. 6 of 2018 on Arbitration (amended by Federal Law No. 15 of 2023) |
Types of debts that can be chased in Dubai | Personal and commercial debts can be recovered in Dubai. |
| Availability of out-of-court procedures (YES/NO) | Yes, amicable procedures can be commenced for debt recovery in Dubai. |
| Court proceedings available (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Court in charge of debt collection procedures | – first instance and appellate courts, – the Court of Cassation |
| Debt collection stages in Dubai | – debt acknowledgment, – contacting the debtor, – sending dunning letters/emails to the debtor, – amicable recovery/court proceedings |
| Duration of amicable debt recovery process in Dubai (approx.) | Amicable debt collection can end in several weeks after the parties reach a payment understanding. |
| Possibility to pay a debt in installments (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Duration of debt recovery through court application (approx.) | The process can take several months depending on the type of debt and complexity of the case. |
| Recognition of foreign court orders related to debt collection (YES/NO) | Yes, based on a bilateral treaty or case-to-case evaluation. |
| Possibility to use the services of debt collection agencies/lawyers (YES/NO) | Yes, both options are available, including through our law firm in Dubai. |
| Special considerations related to debt collection agencies (if any) | Yes, they must be licensed by the Central Bank. |
| Limitation period availability (YES/NO) | Limitation periods range from 1 to 15 years, depending on the type of debt. |
| Types of debt collection services we supply in Dubai (YES/NO) | Yes, you can rely on us in both amicable and court debt collection. |
What are the available debt recovery methods in Dubai?
- amicable;
- court-based.
What are the debt collection steps in Dubai?
- Trying to reach an agreement with the debtor: the first contact is initiated by the creditor;
- Asking for professional support: this is the second step, when an agreement is unreachable, and it is conducted through a Dubai law firm or debt collection agency;
- Amicable procedure: the law firm or agency tries to conclude new payment terms with the debtor;
- Legal action: if no understanding is reached with the debtor, the creditor can begin court proceedings by filing a lawsuit against the debtor.
When using the services of an agency, one must make sure it is accredited by the UAE Central Bank. Another option is to get in touch with our Dubai lawyers for support in debt collection, especially when it comes to commercial-related debts.
What are the ways in which I can contact a debtor?
- phone;
- e-mail;
- postal Service.
IMPORTANT: Keep any written correspondence in the event that the case goes to court.
What are the chances of recovering a debt through the amicable procedure in Dubai?
They are quite high, especially when resorting to professional support. However, the payment will probably be made in instalments, as you will need to sign a new agreement with the debtor.
Is it possible to go directly to court for debt collection in Dubai?
In general a prior written demand is needed (for a payment order, the Civil Procedure Law requires notifying the debtor to pay within at least 5 days), and it helps, as the dunning letters and other notifications sent by the creditor will be used as evidence.
What are the documents I can use in a debt collection case in Dubai?
- contracts;
- invoices;
- bank statements;
- all correspondence related to the debt;
- records of previous payments.
Below, you can also discover our infographic:
How much does a debt collection case take in Dubai in 2026?
Amicable debt collection can take about a month and court debt recovery in Dubai – up to 3 months.
What is the law on debt recovery in Dubai?
There are several laws that regulate debt collection in Dubai in addition to the Commercial Transactions Law, including:
- the Civil Transactions Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025, in force since 1 June 2026): it provides legal remedies for debt collection as well as setting the duties and rights of creditors and debtors;
- the UAE Penal Code: the Crimes and Penalties Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021) applies only to fraud, breach of trust or bad-faith cheque offences – mere non-payment of a debt is a civil matter, and bounced cheques were largely decriminalised in 2022, or give their creditors false information;
- the UAE Commercial Transactions Law: it regulates commercial debt collection and offers additional legal options for debt collection.
Are there statutes of limitation to debt collection claims in Dubai?
- for civil cases, the general limitation period is 15 years, with shorter periods (e.g. 2, 3 or 5 years) for certain claims, depending on the type of debt;
- for commercial cases, the limitation to file a claim is 5 years (Federal Decree-Law No. 50 of 2022);
- the longest time available to start the debt chasing procedures is 15 years for certain types of contracts.
Please feel free to contact our law firm in Dubai, if you are in need of debt collection services in Dubai. Our lawyers can also help you set up a company in Dubai with no minimum share capital required for LLC, in 1-3 weeks.