Since its establishment on the 2nd of December 1971, the UAE has set a temporary constitution. It soon came to be recognised as a permanent constitution after the UAE federation established its stability and success as a nation committed to a moderate policy. The country made cultural contributions and achieved huge accomplishments on the local, regional and international levels, ushering in an era of progress for the people of this federation. The UAE has thus become a model nation, becoming one of the most successful experiences of unification in modern history.

The Constitution explains the main rules of the political and constitutional organisation of the country. It demonstrates the main purpose of the establishment of the federation and its objectives at the local and regional levels. It also elaborates on the major social and economic pillars of the federation and stresses the public rights, responsibilities and freedoms. It explains federal authorities and federal legislation as well as details about other areas such as financial affairs of the federation, provisions for armed and security forces, and legislative, executive and international jurisdictions of the federation and member emirates.

Section One

The Union, its basic components and objectives

Article 1

The United Arab Emirates is an independent and sovereign federal state, and hereinafter referred to in this constitution as the Union. The federation consists of the following Emirates: Abu Dhabi - Dubai - Sharjah - Ajman - Umm Al Quwain - Fujairah. Any independent Arab country may join the federation, when the Federation’s Supreme Council approves this by consensus. The final text of the article on: 30-03-1972 The United Arab Emirates is an independent and sovereign federal state, and hereinafter referred to in this constitution as the Union. The federation consists of the following Emirates: Abu Dhabi - Dubai - Sharjah - Ajman - Umm Al Quwain - Fujairah - Ras Al Khaimah *. Any independent Arab country may join the federation, when the Federation’s Supreme Council approves this by consensus. Upon acceptance of a new member joining the federation, the Federal Supreme Council determines the number of seats to be allocated to this member in the Federal National Council in excess of the number stipulated in Article 68 of this Constitution. * The Federal Supreme Council approved the accession of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah and its annexes to the United Arab Emirates in accordance with its Resolution No. 2 of 1972 issued on 2/10/1972 and published in the Official Gazette No. 2 on 3/30/1972.

Article 2

In the affairs entrusted to it by the provisions of this Constitution, the Federation exercises sovereignty over all lands and territorial waters located within the international borders of the member Emirates.

Article 3

The member Emirates exercise sovereignty over their territories and territorial waters in all matters not to which the Union is concerned under this Constitution.

Article 4

The Union may not relinquish its sovereignty, or give up any part of its lands or waters.

Article 5

The federation shall have its own flag, emblem, and national anthem, and the law determines the flag and slogan, and each emirate maintains its own flag for use within its territory.

Article 6

The union is part of the great Arab world, linked to it by ties of religion, language, history and a common destiny. And the people of the union is one people, and it is part of the Arab nation.

Article 7

Islam is the official religion of the federation, and Islamic law is a main source of legislation, and the official language of the union is Arabic.

Article 8

Citizens of the Union shall have one nationality determined by law. And abroad they shall enjoy the protection of the Federal Government, in accordance with applicable international principles. Citizens may not be deprived of their nationality, or withdrawn from them, except in exceptional cases stipulated by law.

Article 9

Abu Dhabi City shall be the capital city of the UAE.

Article 10

The objectives of the Union are to preserve its independence, sovereignty, security and stability, to ward off any aggression against its entity or the entity of the Emirates that are members in it, to protect the rights and freedoms of the people of the Union, and to achieve close cooperation between its emirates for their common interest for these purposes, and for their prosperity and progress in all fields and the provision of a better life To all citizens, with each member emirate respecting the independence and sovereignty of other emirates in their internal affairs within the scope of this constitution.

Article 11
  1. The Emirates of the Union form an economic and customs unit, and federal laws regulate the appropriate progressive stages for achieving that unity. 
  2. The freedom of capital movement and the passage of all goods between the Emirates of the Union is guaranteed and may not be restricted except by a federal law.
  3. All taxes, fees, royalties and excises imposed on the movement of goods from one emirate to another from the member Emirates shall be canceled.
Article 12

The Union's foreign policy aims to support Arab and Islamic causes and interests, and to strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation with all states and peoples, based on the principles of the United Nations Charter and international ethics.