Do I need to be married to freeze my eggs in the UAE?
This afternoon I met a woman who had just turned 32. She wasn't trying for a baby yet, but she wanted to know whether she should freeze her eggs.
The short answer is no. Today, women in the UAE can legally freeze their eggs regardless of their marital status. This became possible under the UAE's updated assisted reproduction legislation, established by Federal Law No. 7 of 2019 and further expanded through the amendments introduced by Federal Decree-Law No. 17 of 2023.
This wasn't always the case. Under the previous legislation, fertility preservation was much more restrictive. Egg freezing was generally available only for married women, and required proof of a valid marriage. In practice, married women needed their husband's consent to freeze their eggs.
Many women also ask what happens if they move abroad or later decide to continue their fertility treatment in another country. In most cases, this is entirely possible. Frozen eggs can be transferred internationally after obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals. In Dubai, this requires approval from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and, for transfers outside the UAE, approval from the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP). The process is straightforward and the transport itself is coordinated by specialised cryo-courier companies.
For many patients, this provides valuable flexibility, knowing that preserving their fertility today does not mean committing to having treatment in the same country in the future.