Organ Donation in the UAE (2026): Laws, Eligibility & How to Register via Hayat

Last updated: September 2026

Organ donation can save or transform the life of someone with organ failure — but a lot of UAE residents don’t realize how simple it is to register, or assume it’s only for citizens. Neither is true. This guide covers what the law actually says, who can donate, and exactly how to sign up through the UAE’s official “Hayat” program.

Quick answer: Organ donation is legal and actively encouraged in the UAE. Any resident, regardless of nationality, can register to donate after brain death through the national “Hayat” program using their Emirates ID. Living donation is allowed too, but restricted to close relatives and, for couples, those married at least two years. The sale of organs is strictly illegal.

Is Organ Donation Legal in the UAE?

Yes. Organ donation and transplantation are regulated under Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2023 on Donation and Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues, which updated the earlier framework set out in Federal Decree-Law No. 5 of 2016. The law:

• Regulates and develops transplant operations across the UAE
• Bans the trafficking of human organs and tissue
• Regulates the donation process for both living and deceased donors
• Prevents exploitation of patients or donors in financial or medical need
• As of the 2023 update, permits altruistic kidney donation (donating to someone outside your immediate family, without payment) for the first time

According to Islamic jurisprudence referenced by UAE authorities, organ donation is generally considered permissible, since the majority of scholarly opinion holds that saving a life is a highly valued act. Other major religions represented in the UAE’s diverse population also broadly support organ donation as an act of generosity.

Who Can Register to Donate

Here’s something worth flagging clearly, since official sources don’t fully agree: some government and hospital pages state the minimum age to register as a deceased-donor pledge is 21, reflecting the older 2016 law, while the UAE’s official government portal and more recent coverage of the updated 2023 law state the minimum age is 18. If your registration is rejected on an age basis, this discrepancy is likely why — check directly with MOHAP or Hayat for the current requirement that applies to you.

Beyond age, general eligibility to register your intent to donate includes:

• Holding a valid Emirates ID (registration is directly linked to it)
• Any nationality — citizens and residents alike can register as a donor or become a recipient
• Being legally competent to give informed consent

Medical suitability at the time of death or living donation is assessed separately by the treating medical team — registering your intent doesn’t guarantee every organ will ultimately be usable.

Living Donor Rules

Donating an organ while alive (most commonly a kidney, or part of a liver) is more tightly restricted than pledging as a deceased donor:

• Traditionally limited to relatives within the fourth degree
• Spouses are eligible if married for at least two years
• Since the 2023 amendment, altruistic (non-related) kidney donation is permitted for the first time, subject to strict regulatory approval
• Donors must give unconditional, informed consent, free of any financial incentive
• A living donor can withdraw consent at any point before the organ is removed — but once removed, the decision cannot be reversed

Deceased Donor Rules

For donations after death, the law is specific and designed to prevent any ambiguity:

• Organs can only be retrieved following confirmed brain death — the irreversible loss of all brain and brain-stem function
• Brain death must be confirmed by a panel of three specialized doctors, independent of the transplant team
• An organ cannot be removed unless the donor’s wish was clearly and formally documented before death — either through a notary public or via their registered Emirates ID pledge
• The identities of both donor and recipient remain legally confidential

How to Register: The Hayat Program

Hayat (“life” in Arabic) is the UAE’s National Program for Donation and Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissue, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP). It maintains the national donor registry, linked directly to your Emirates ID.

Registration Steps

1. Go to the Hayat registration platform via the MOHAP website (mohap.gov.ae) or download the MOHAP mobile app.
2. Fill in your Emirates ID number, nationality, and date of birth.
3. Read the terms and conditions of the donation pledge.
4. Click “Consent” to confirm your intent to donate.
5. You’ll receive an electronic donor card confirming your registration.

Your pledge is recorded against your Emirates ID, so hospital teams can verify it if the situation ever arises. You can update or withdraw your pledge at any time by returning to the same platform.

Which Organs and Tissues Can Be Donated

Common transplantable organs under the UAE program include the heart, liver, kidneys, lungs, and pancreas, along with certain tissues. Kidneys are the most frequently needed and donated organ, which is part of why the 2023 law specifically expanded rules around altruistic kidney donation.

Organ Trafficking Is a Serious Crime

UAE law is unambiguous on this point: there is no legal payment for organ donation, and buying, selling, or advertising the transplantation of human organs or tissue is a criminal offense. This is reinforced by Federal Decree-Law No. 24 of 2023 on Combating Human Trafficking, alongside the organ donation law itself. If you ever encounter an offer to buy or sell an organ, this is illegal and should be reported to the authorities rather than pursued.

FAQs – Organ Donation in the UAE

Can expats register as organ donors in the UAE?

Yes. Anyone in the UAE holding a valid Emirates ID can register through the Hayat program, regardless of nationality.

Can I get paid for donating an organ?

No. UAE law strictly prohibits the sale of human organs or tissue, and enforces criminal penalties against organ trafficking.

Can I withdraw my organ donation pledge?

Yes, at any time before the organ is actually removed. You can update your Hayat registration to reflect this.

Does my family need to consent as well?

The law is built around your own documented consent via notary public or Emirates ID pledge, which is the legally binding basis for a deceased donation. In practice, hospitals will also typically speak with the family at the time, so it’s worth letting close family know about your decision in advance.

What’s the minimum age to register as an organ donor?

Official sources vary — some reference age 21 under the earlier 2016 law, while more recent guidance citing the 2023 update states 18. Confirm the current requirement directly with MOHAP or the Hayat platform.

Sources & Further Reading

• U.AE — Organ Donation and Transplant (Official UAE Government Portal)
• Dubai Health Authority — Hayat Organ Donation Program

This article is for general information only and is not legal or medical advice. Registration requirements can change — confirm current details directly with MOHAP or the Hayat platform before registering.

Conclusion

Organ donation in the UAE is legal, actively supported by both government policy and religious guidance, and open to residents of any nationality through the Hayat program. Registering takes only a few minutes online or through the MOHAP app and links directly to your Emirates ID — a small step that could one day help save someone’s life. If you’re researching UAE health and fertility law more broadly, our guide to sperm donation laws in Dubai covers a related area of UAE medical regulation.