Power of Attorney in Qatar: Fees, Validity and Using One From Abroad
What we found about notarizing a power of attorney in Qatar: the 2026 fee cut for real estate, the three-year validation rule, Arabic translation, and legalizing one issued abroad.
People need a power of attorney to sell a car or a flat, to handle a bank matter, to collect documents, or to let a lawyer act for them while they are away. The rules are strict, because you are handing someone legal authority over your affairs.
We could not find a step-by-step official guide to booking a notary, so this page covers only what news and law firm reports confirm: fees, validity, language and foreign documents. We read the QNA report of the 2026 fee decision, and the rest comes from search summaries of law firm commentary, some of it written for trademark filings. It is general information, not legal advice.
What does a power of attorney cost in Qatar?
QNA reported Ministerial Decision No. 5 of 2026, issued by the Minister of Justice, reducing the fee for notarizing a special power of attorney related to real estate from QR300 to QR100. We found no fee for other types of POA. Check the current Ministry of Justice fee schedule before you go.
The same decision exempted some notarizations, including those for ministries and public bodies, charitable donations and wills, and the founding documents of new companies. It also cut other real estate fees, such as the replacement of a lost title deed from QR500 to QR100. Our guide to buying property in Qatar covers the wider process.
How long is a power of attorney valid?
A law firm summary says a POA issued more than three years ago needs a validation stamp from the Ministry of Justice before it is used. If you have an old POA for a bank, a court or a property deal, check its date first. Ask whoever will accept the document if they want a newer one.
Does a power of attorney have to be in Arabic?
The same summary says a POA that was not drafted in Arabic must come with a certified Arabic translation. If you draft one yourself in English, plan for the translation before you submit it.
Using a power of attorney issued abroad
A POA signed before a notary or a Qatari consulate abroad must be legalized in Qatar by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to law firm commentary. A 2024 circular reportedly allows the Foreign Affairs attestation within 24 hours for a POA already legalized by a Qatari embassy, but that comes from a single firm, so ask first.
For people who are not in Qatar and have no Qatari ID, the Ministry of Justice reportedly introduced secure electronic links and virtual meetings with a notary to confirm identity and signature, tested for powers of attorney first. We could not find the booking steps.
Risks to take seriously
- A general POA can give someone wide control over your money and property. Prefer a special POA for one task.
- Write down exactly what the person may do and for how long.
- Keep a copy. Cancel the POA in writing if the person no longer needs it.
- Do not give a POA to a stranger who offers to fix a visa or a debt for a fee.
If a bank account problem is why you need one, see what to do when a Qatar bank account is frozen.
What we could not verify
- Fees for general, bank, vehicle and other POA types.
- Documents and appointment booking at a Ministry of Justice notary or on Metrash2.
- Whether the three-year validation rule applies to every POA or mainly to those used in trademark filings. The source was written for that setting.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a power of attorney cost in Qatar?
A special power of attorney for real estate now costs QR100, down from QR300, under Ministerial Decision No. 5 of 2026. We found no figure for other kinds.
Can I give a power of attorney from outside Qatar?
Yes, reportedly, either by signing before a notary or consulate abroad and legalizing it in Qatar, or through the Ministry of Justice's remote notary meetings for people without a Qatari ID. Confirm which route applies.
Does a power of attorney expire?
A law firm summary says one older than three years needs a Ministry of Justice validation stamp. The document itself may also set an end date, so read it.
Sources & references
Agha Ali Abbas
Founder & Editor
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