Legislation Details
- Full Title: Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the Federal Authority for Ambulance and Civil Defense
- Law Type: Federal Decree-Law
- Law Number: (8) of 2025
- Issued Date: 08 Sep 2025
- Effective Date: 01 Jan 2026
- Official Gazette: No. 807
- Sector: Government Affairs
- Status: Active
- Number of Articles: 40
- Chapters/Parts: 0
- Amendments: 0
Summary
This Federal Decree-Law establishes the Federal Authority for Ambulance and Civil Defense, which is the federal entity responsible for regulating and overseeing ambulance and civil defense affairs in the United Arab Emirates. The law defines the Authority's competences, which include proposing policies and legislation, preparing emergency plans, providing ambulance services, and coordinating with other government entities. The law also outlines the structure and governance of the Authority, including the roles of the Chairman and Director General. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the Federal Authority for Ambulance and Civil Defense, 2025, Arts. 1-20) The establishment of the Federal Authority for Ambulance and Civil Defense is significant for businesses and individuals in the UAE, as it centralizes the regulation and provision of critical emergency services. The Authority will be responsible for ensuring the preparedness and coordination of the UAE's emergency response capabilities, which is crucial for safeguarding lives and property during natural disasters, accidents, and other crises. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the Federal Authority for Ambulance and Civil Defense, 2025, Arts. 1-20)
What is the scope and purpose of this law?
The purpose of this Federal Decree-Law is to establish the Federal Authority for Ambulance and Civil Defense, which is the federal entity responsible for regulating and overseeing ambulance and civil defense affairs in the United Arab Emirates. The law defines the Authority's competences, which include proposing policies and legislation, preparing emergency plans, providing ambulance services, and coordinating with other government entities. The law applies nationwide, as the Authority is a federal entity with legal personality, financial and administrative independence, and executive and regulatory powers. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the Federal Authority for Ambulance and Civil Defense, 2025, Arts. 1-4)
What are the key definitions under this law?
The law provides the following key definitions:
- The State: The United Arab Emirates
- The Emirate: Any Emirate of the State
- The Authority: The Federal Authority for Ambulance and Civil Defense
- Competent Authority: The local authority competent in ambulance and civil defense affairs in the Emirate
- Concerned Entities: Federal and local government entities and private sector institutions involved in providing assistance for ambulance and civil defense measures
- The Chairman: The Chairman of the Authority
- The Director General: The Director General of the Authority
- Civil Defense: A set of procedures and measures aimed at protecting and ensuring the safety of lives, property, and facilities during disasters and emergencies
- Event: Any natural or man-made occurrence that poses a threat to life, causes loss of property or life, or disrupts the normal course of life in society
- Hazards: Any event that may occur naturally or as a result of human action, resulting in material or moral harm
- Ambulance: The provision of immediate and urgent medical assistance to individuals experiencing an emergency or sudden injury
(Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the Federal Authority for Ambulance and Civil Defense, 2025, Art. 1)
What are the main obligations and requirements?
The law imposes the following key obligations on the Federal Authority for Ambulance and Civil Defense: 1. Propose and prepare policies, strategies, and legislation related to ambulance and civil defense affairs, in coordination with the Competent Authorities and Concerned Entities, and submit them to the Cabinet for approval. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the Federal Authority for Ambulance and Civil Defense, 2025, Art. 4(1)) 2. Study potential events, hazards, and disasters and prepare the necessary plans for their management, in coordination with the National Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Management Authority. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the Federal Authority for Ambulance and Civil Defense, 2025, Art. 4(2)) 3. Prepare prevention programs for potential hazards, their specific requirements, and the necessary plans for managing these hazards, in coordination with the Competent Authorities and Concerned Entities. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the Federal Authority for Ambulance and Civil Defense, 2025, Art. 4(3)) 4. Establish a public warning system for the population against potential hazards, in coordination with the National Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Management Authority. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the Federal Authority for Ambulance and Civil Defense, 2025, Art. 4(5)) 5. Prepare population evacuation plans and supervise their implementation, in coordination with the Competent Authorities and Concerned Entities. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the Federal Authority for Ambulance and Civil Defense, 2025, Art. 4(6))
What licensing, registration, or approval requirements exist?
The legislation does not specify any licensing, registration, or approval requirements under this law.
What rights and protections does this law provide?
The law does not explicitly mention any specific rights or protections granted to individuals, workers, businesses, or other parties.
Which authorities or bodies are responsible for enforcement?
The key authorities and bodies responsible for the enforcement and governance of this law are: 1. The Cabinet, which is responsible for approving the Authority's policies, strategies, legislation, organizational structure, and budget. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the Federal Authority for Ambulance and Civil Defense, 2025, Arts. 4(1), 5(2), 5(8)) 2. The Chairman of the Authority, who is responsible for proposing the Authority's policies and strategies, supervising their implementation, issuing necessary resolutions, and representing the Authority. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the Federal Authority for Ambulance and Civil Defense, 2025, Art. 5) 3. The Director General(s) of the Authority, who are responsible for participating in policy formulation, supervising the Authority's organizational units, and submitting reports to the Chairman. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the Federal Authority for Ambulance and Civil Defense, 2025, Art. 6)
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
The law specifies the following penalties for non-compliance: 1. Imprisonment and/or a fine for any person who obstructs the work of the Authority or fails to comply with its orders or instructions. The law does not specify the exact terms of imprisonment or fine amounts. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the Federal Authority for Ambulance and Civil Defense, 2025, Art. 16) 2. Deportation for any non-UAE national who obstructs the work of the Authority or fails to comply with its orders or instructions. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the Federal Authority for Ambulance and Civil Defense, 2025, Art. 16)
What fees, charges, or financial provisions are specified?
The law does not specify any fees, charges, or other financial provisions.
What exemptions or exceptions apply?
The law does not mention any exemptions or exceptions.
How are disputes resolved under this law?
The law does not specify any dispute resolution mechanisms or procedures.
What are the key deadlines and time limits?
The law does not specify any deadlines or time limits.
How does this law interact with other UAE legislation?
This Federal Decree-Law interacts with the following other UAE legislation: 1. Federal Law No. (1) of 1972 Regarding the Competences of Ministries and the Powers of Ministers, as amended. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the Federal Authority for Ambulance and Civil Defense, 2025, Preamble) 2. Federal Decree by Law No. (2) of 2011 Regarding the Establishment of the National Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, as amended. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the Federal Authority for Ambulance and Civil Defense, 2025, Preamble, Art. 4(2), 4(5)) 3. Federal Decree by Law No. (9) of 2020 Regarding the Armed Forces, as amended. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the Federal Authority for Ambulance and Civil Defense, 2025, Preamble) 4. Federal Decree by Law No. (59) of 2022 Regarding the Establishment of the National Guard Command. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the Federal Authority for Ambulance and Civil Defense, 2025, Preamble) 5. Federal Decree by Law No. (35) of 2024 Regarding the Reorganization of the Civil Defense Authority, which is superseded by this new law. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the Federal Authority for Ambulance and Civil Defense, 2025, Art. 2(2))
When did this law come into effect?
This Federal Decree-Law comes into effect on 01 January 2026, as specified in the Effective Date. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the Federal Authority for Ambulance and Civil Defense, 2025, Effective Date)
Source Documents
This article analyses Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the Federal Authority for Ambulance and Civil Defense for legal research and educational purposes. For the purpose of interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text prevails. This does not constitute legal advice.