Under Article 11 of the Qatar Civil Code, your personal status and legal capacity are primarily governed by the law of your home country — the country of your nationality. This means that if your national law sets the age of majority at 21, for example, that rule generally applies to you even when you are residing in Qatar.
However, there is an important practical exception for financial transactions. If you enter into a financial deal in Qatar with a Qatari national or a resident, and you would be considered legally capable under Qatari law, the other party cannot void the contract simply because your home country's law might restrict your capacity — unless they were aware of that restriction at the time of signing.
In practice, this means expats should be aware of any legal capacity rules in their home country before entering significant financial commitments in Qatar. If a dispute arises about which law applies, Article 10 confirms that Qatari law will be used to resolve that conflict. Always seek legal advice from a Qatar-licensed lawyer for high-value contracts.
This is general legal information, not legal advice. For advice on your specific situation, consult a lawyer licensed in Qatar.