A convenient DMAP-catalysed decarboxylative amination of aryl and alkyl carboxylic acids is developed under transition-metal-free conditions. This reaction allows the sustainable synthesis of a wide range of aryl and alkyl amines in useful to good yields, avoiding the use of any activating reagent, transition-metal catalyst and external oxidant. The late-stage modification of bioactive acids and concise synthesis of carbamate and ureas demonstrated the synthetic potential of this methodology.