A plain guide from the DUNES Power of Attorney team. Last reviewed 4 November 2026.
A special power of attorney gives someone authority for one defined task, such as selling a vehicle or registering a property. A general power of attorney covers a wider range of routine matters. Banks, courts and land offices usually want the exact powers they need written down, so a special POA is the more common choice. Since 1 June 2026 the UAE’s new Civil Transactions Law points the same way.
What is the difference between a general and a special power of attorney?
| Special POA | General POA | |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | One named task or transaction | A range of routine matters |
| Typical uses | Selling a vehicle, registering a property, closing a bank account, acting in one court case | Everyday paperwork and administrative matters while you are away |
| Control for you | High: anything not listed is not given | Lower: the attorney has more room to act |
| Acceptance by offices | Usually easier, because the powers match the request | Offices may ask for the specific power to be named |
| Ends | When the task is finished or the end date arrives | On the end date you set, or when you cancel it |
When is a special power of attorney the right choice?
Choose a special POA when you can name what the attorney must do. Common examples:
- Selling, transferring or settling the loan on a vehicle.
- Registering or transferring a land title or dealing with a property.
- Operating or closing a bank account.
- Acting for you in a court case or a family case, usually through a lawyer.
The Ministry of Justice builds its own digital POA service the same way. It offers set types for set purposes, including legal cases, real estate, rental disputes, licensing, vehicles, stocks and company management.
When can a general power of attorney work?
A general POA can suit routine administration, such as submitting forms or dealing with services on your behalf while you are away. It is read narrowly. Law firms advising on the new Civil Transactions Law report that a POA written only in general terms authorises acts of management and preservation, and that other acts need a special agency naming the transaction or act. For a property sale, summaries of the Dubai Land Department’s Circular No. 29/R/2025 describe transaction-specific wording as a requirement, so a special POA that names the property is the safe route.
Read about our general Power of Attorney service, or see the special Power of Attorney page.
How do you choose between them?
- Can you describe the task in one sentence? Use a special POA.
- Is the need ongoing and routine? A general POA may fit, with limits written in.
- Is a bank, land office or court involved? Ask what wording it wants before you sign.
- Do you want to limit risk? Set an end date and list only the powers needed.
What mistakes lead to refusals?
- Using a general POA where an office expects a named power.
- Describing the property, vehicle or account loosely, so it does not match the records.
- Leaving out the power to receive money or sign the transfer.
- Using an old template that does not reflect the 2026 changes.
See 7 Reasons a Power of Attorney Gets Rejected in the UAE and What Should a Power of Attorney Contain?
Related guides
Sources
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Requirements change, so check with the office that will receive your document.
Frequently asked questions
Can a general power of attorney be used to sell property in Dubai?
Not safely on its own. Summaries of the Dubai Land Department’s 2025 circular describe transaction-specific wording as a requirement, so a special POA that names the property is the usual route. Ask the trustee office before you sign.
Can I give someone both a general and a special power of attorney?
Yes, but each document has its own wording and end date. Keep a note of what each one covers so you can cancel the right one later.
Does a special power of attorney expire when the task is done?
The authority is limited to the task, and it also ends on the end date written in the document. Cancel it formally if offices still hold a copy.
Can I turn a general power of attorney into a special one?
A POA is not edited. You sign a new special POA before a notary, and cancel the old general one if you no longer need it. See How to Cancel a Power of Attorney in Dubai.
Do general powers of attorney signed before June 2026 still work?
Law-firm commentary says the new law does not cancel earlier documents, but offices may read them differently. If you rely on an older general POA for an important act, ask the receiving office first.
Need a power of attorney arranged in Dubai?
Tell us what the POA is for and where you are signing. We will confirm the type, the documents, the timeline and the cost.
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