Prenup: Switzerland + UAE

Which contract, and where to sign it

Switzerland: A notarial deed (öffentliche Beurkundung); concluded before or at any point during the marriage.

UAE: Under the civil regime for non-Muslims (Decree-Law 41/2022) the agreement is fixed at marriage registration or as a separate document; for Muslims the personal-status framework and mahr apply.

Several legal systems are involved — one document will not cover them all. The working construction: an anchor contract in the principal jurisdiction plus mirror texts where the key assets sit, backed by local counsel opinions.

Choice of applicable law

What you can fix in it

Switzerland: Election among the statutory regimes (separation, community) and adjustment of accrual shares; the statute sets the frame — freeform constructions fail.

UAE: Property and the financial terms of the marriage; maintenance arrangements remain subject to court control.

What gives the contract its force

Full asset disclosure annexed to the contract — the main anchor against future challenge.

Independent counsel for each side; one adviser for both is the classic line of attack.

Translations and legalisation: every version with a notarised translation and apostille for its jurisdiction of use.

What to read next

Deep dive: cross-border prenups

Divorce navigator: what happens without a contract

Property division in a cross-border divorce