📋 Complete Guide | Share Sale & Purchase Power of Attorney — UAE
By the Private Notary Dubai Team — Licensed Notaries in Dubai | Last updated: June 2026
What Is a Share Sale Power of Attorney?
A share sale power of attorney — also referred to as a Power of Attorney for Share Transfer or share transfer POA — is a legally binding notarised document through which a company shareholder (the principal) formally authorises another person (the agent) to sell their shares in a company on their behalf.
Similarly, a Share Purchase Power of Attorney authorises the agent to acquire shares in a company on behalf of the principal.
In both cases, the document is issued by a Private Notary in Dubai and is immediately valid — no further attestation, government processing, or additional legalisation is required before using it before any UAE authority.
When Do You Need a Share Sale or Purchase POA?
🌍 Non-resident shareholders
Shareholders based abroad who cannot be physically present to sign share transfer documents in the UAE
⏱️ Time-sensitive transactions
Share sales or acquisitions where speed is critical and delays in signing can affect the deal
🏢 Corporate restructuring
Shareholders delegating signing authority during company restructures, mergers, or ownership changes
🏙️ Free zone transactions
Share transfers within DIFC, DMCC, JAFZA and other free zones that require a notarised POA
Share Sale POA vs Share Purchase POA — What Is the Difference?
| Document | Who issues it | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Share sale POA | Existing shareholder (seller) | Authorises the agent to sell and transfer the principal’s shares |
| Share purchase POA | Prospective buyer | Authorises the agent to acquire shares on behalf of the principal |
Where Is the POA Accepted?
A share sale or purchase POA issued by Private Notary Dubai is accepted across all UAE authorities and entities involved in share transactions, including:
🏛️ Department of Economic Development (DED)
For mainland company share transfers in Dubai and other emirates
🏙️ Free zone authorities
DMCC, DIFC, JAFZA, and other UAE free zones
⚖️ Courts & legal proceedings
Where a notarised POA is required as part of a legal process
🏦 Banks & financial institutions
When share-related banking transactions require an authorised representative
Required Documents
Valid trade licence of the company — the company whose shares are being sold or acquired
Valid Emirates ID or passport of the principal — the shareholder granting the authority (resident or non-resident)
Valid Emirates ID or passport of the agent — the person being authorised to act on the principal’s behalf
POA Validity — Fixed or Open-Ended
The validity period is entirely at the discretion of the principal:
| Option | When to use it |
|---|---|
| Open-ended (no expiry) | Ongoing authority with no defined end date — useful for long-term arrangements |
| Fixed term (e.g. 6 months, 1 year) | Transaction-specific authority — limits the agent’s power to a defined period |
Before choosing the validity period, it is important to understand the relationship between the principal and agent and the scope of authority being granted. For a general explanation of both roles, see our guide on the difference between the agent and the principal in a Power of Attorney.
How to Get Your Share POA — Step by Step
Contact us — via WhatsApp or through our Contact page with details of the transaction (sale or purchase), the company, and the parties involved
Send your documents — trade licence, and IDs or passports of the principal and agent
We draft the POA — with precise legal wording covering the authorised scope of the share transaction
Signing — at our office in person or remotely via a notarised video call for non-resident principals
POA ready — same day immediately valid before all UAE authorities with no further steps required
If the principal is outside the UAE, the POA can be arranged remotely. For more details about remote issuance, read our guide on how to give a Power of Attorney from abroad.
📋 Issue Your Share Sale or Purchase POA — Ready Same Day
UAE residents & non-residents · Remote or in-office · Accepted by DED, free zones & all UAE authorities
Send us your documents for a free initial review — no obligation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using a generic POA for share transactions — a standard POA may lack the specific wording required by the DED or free zone authority for share transfers; the document must be drafted specifically for this purpose
- Expired trade licence — the company’s trade licence must be valid at the time of issuing the POA
- Unclear document copies — blurry or cropped IDs and licences cause rejection
- Not defining the scope of authority — a well-drafted share POA should clearly specify whether it covers sale, purchase, or both, and any limitations
- Not specifying validity — leaving validity undefined may create complications; decide upfront whether the POA is open-ended or fixed-term
How Can Private Notary Dubai Help?
The Private Notary Dubai team drafts and notarises share sale and purchase powers of attorney for UAE businesses on a daily basis — for resident and non-resident shareholders alike, ensuring the document is precisely worded for the specific transaction and authority it will be used with.
For broader corporate delegation needs, we also assist with Corporate Power of Attorney in Dubai and Company Management Power of Attorney documents, depending on whether the authority relates only to a share transaction or wider company management powers.
- Reviewing your documents before starting to confirm completeness
- Drafting the POA with the correct legal scope for the specific share transaction
- Coordinating remote signing via notarised video call for non-resident principals
- Same-day issuance — the document is ready and valid the day it is signed
Important Notes
- The information in this article is general and does not constitute legal or corporate advice
- The scope of authority in a share POA should always be reviewed by the parties involved before signing
- Specific free zone or DED requirements for share transfers may vary — always confirm with the relevant authority before proceeding
- A POA grants authority to act — legal responsibility for the transaction remains with the principal
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a share sale power of attorney?
It is a notarised legal document through which a shareholder authorises another person to sell or transfer their company shares on their behalf before any relevant UAE authority.
Can a non-resident shareholder issue a share POA?
Yes. Non-resident shareholders can issue the POA fully remotely via a notarised video call — no travel to the UAE is required.
Is the POA accepted by free zone authorities?
Yes. A share POA issued by Private Notary Dubai is accepted by all UAE authorities including free zone authorities such as DMCC, DIFC, JAFZA, and others, as well as the DED for mainland companies.
Does the POA need additional attestation after issuance?
No. The POA is immediately valid upon issuance — no Ministry of Justice stamp, court authentication, or any other additional process is required.
How long does it take to issue a share POA?
The same day — once all documents are received and signing is completed, the POA is ready and immediately valid.
What is the difference between a share sale POA and a share purchase POA?
A share sale POA is issued by the seller and authorises an agent to sell their shares. A share purchase POA is issued by the buyer and authorises an agent to acquire shares on their behalf. Both can be issued on the same day and are sometimes needed simultaneously in a single transaction.
Licensed notaries in Dubai specialising in commercial and corporate powers of attorney. We draft and notarise share sale and purchase POAs daily — for resident and non-resident shareholders — ensuring every document is precisely worded for the transaction and authority it will be presented to.
Final Word
A share sale or purchase power of attorney is one of the most commercially critical documents in a UAE company transaction. Getting the wording right — covering the correct scope, parties, and validity — determines whether the document will be accepted smoothly at closing or cause unnecessary delays.
If you need a share POA for an upcoming transaction or want us to review your requirements before drafting, send us the details via WhatsApp and we will advise on the right approach — with no obligation.
💬 Send Your Documents for Review
Abdul Hamid is a legal consultant with extensive experience in providing legal advice in the United Arab Emirates. His expertise focuses on legal drafting, resolving commercial disputes, and drafting and reviewing corporate and employment contracts.