New UAE law allows unmarried couple to live together

The Government of United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced an amendment to its personal and family laws in an attempt to improve living standards for the country’s multicultural residents.

Under the new laws, men and women who are not married or related can now freely live together.

Drinking alcohol will also no longer be an offence. Residents will no longer need an alcohol license to consume alcohol in a private or unauthorized space. However, individuals must still be over the age of 21 to purchase or consume alcohol.

Additional changes to the law apply to couples undergoing a divorce, where the laws of the country where the marriage took place will be now used if the wedding wasn’t in the UAE.

Punishments will be harder on men who harass women, including street harassment and stalking, with severe consequences for someone who commits an act of rape.

Several other law changes related to the court system, inheritance, judicial procedure and mental health have been outlined, with more details expected to follow.