When you understand Dubai’s laws, rules, and regulations (United Arab Emirates) and appreciate the cultural differences, you can tap into an exceptional lifestyle in Dubai and avoid any issues with Dubai’s legal authorities.
Dubai is a Muslim state. It is strict in its moral and ethical code; it has some different laws to those in the UK, Europe, or America, and if you want to visit or live and work in the UAE you need to pay attention to those regulatory differnces.
Dubai Travel: Rules and Regulations for Expats and Tourists
We have produced a report that compiles the information you need to know and understand if you’re going to have a safe and enjoyable time living or on vacation in the UAE – from dress code to alcohol consumption and drug abuse to holding hands in public.
Regulations: Staying in Dubai
While Dubai is one of the most tolerant regions of the Middle East, the Emiratis are still very traditional and conservative people.
They take their culture and heritage seriously, and they expect visitors to respect their values. If you respect Emiratis, they will respect you, and you will find them warm and welcoming.
A to Z: UAE Rules, laws and Regulations
Alcohol Consumption
Non-Muslims are allowed to drink alcohol in Dubai if they are on licensed premises. Some restaurants and most hotels hold a license to serve you alcohol.
In 2020 the UAE introduced new legislation stating that drinking alcohol without a license is no longer illegal in the United Arab Emirates.
Bouncing Cheque (Not being able to pay)
In Dubai, it’s standard practice to pay for large ticket items, such as a car, or even your rent, with forward-dated cheques.
This is because it is very hard for expatriates to get credit or loans, and it’s the accepted method of staggering payments to offer up post-dated cheques.
However, unlike in other countries where bouncing a cheque will probably only generate a reminder letter or phone call, with UAE law, it is a serious criminal offense.
You could potentially be arrested, jailed, and then forced to remain in Dubai until your debt is paid and finally be deported from the country.
Please don’t write a forward-dated cheque unless you are sure you have the funds to cover it.
Dancing in Public
Dancing in public in Dubai is considered indecent. It is also considered provocative, which can be very risky for women.
You can dance freely in any nightclub, venue, or outside event where dancing is permitted.
Dress Code Rules
Visitors are expected to dress conservatively when in public places.
If you’re in a public place, shopping, or at work, you must ensure your clothes are reasonably conservative.
Don’t wear anything see-through or revealing that could be considered indecent. Take care not to wear T-shirts that have anything offensive on them, words, slogans, or images.
In shopping malls, you’ll see signs warning you that if you’re inappropriately dressed, you will be removed. Dress appropriately, and you won’t have any issues whatsoever.
When it comes to sunbathing, you can wear a bikini. However, you cannot sunbathe topless, nor is any form of nudity acceptable – including children.
Before you leave a beach, pool, or water park area, you have to be properly dressed for public places. Even if it’s only a few hundred meters, you can’t walk home in your bikini.
Drink Driving Laws (Zero Tolerance)
You cannot consume any alcohol whatsoever and get behind the wheel in Dubai. There is a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to drink-driving, and you will be imprisoned if you break this very firmly upheld law.
Driving Offenses
When you travel within the UAE, you might be forgiven for thinking that the traffic regulations are very lenient. However, that is not the case.
It is illegal to tailgate, break the speed limit, street race, lane hop, or use a mobile/cell phone while driving.
You will no doubt see many people using phones while driving. Remember, it isn’t legal; don’t risk spoiling your visit with a fine. Dubai has been cracking down on offenders more and more.
Drugs (Zero Tolerance)
As with drunk driving, Dubai laws have zero tolerance for drugs. Whilst you may think that only extends to narcotics that are illegal in our own countries, it actually extends to some prescription and over-the-counter medicines, even poppy seeds.
Even if you’re only traveling through an airport in the UAE on your way to visit another country if you’re caught with what’s deemed to be an illegal substance, you could face an automatic 4-year prison term before deportation.
If you’re thought to be supplying drugs, you could potentially face automatic life imprisonment.
Regarding drugs, the simplest and safest rule to follow is when visiting Dubai, bring absolutely nothing.
Prescription Drugs (Medication)
If you require prescription medicine, you need to check whether what you intend to import is on the banned substances list.
To make sure you won’t get in trouble when crossing the border, download this list of controlled drugs from the dha.gov.ae.
Here are the Drug Control Department’s details in the UAE Ministry of Health so that if you are ultimately left in any doubt, you can contact them before entering Dubai. The details are:
Telephone: +971 2 611 7342 / +971 2 633 4958
Fax: +971 2 631 3742
e-mail: essaj@moh.gov.ae
Or write to:
Ministry of Health
Drug Control Department
Abu Dhabi – UAE
Fundraising Activities (Prior Approval)
Any form of donations and fundraising within the UAE must be approved by the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD). If you fail to do so, however noble the cause, you will breach the UAE’s charity laws, which could result in imprisonment or a substantial fine.
Loud Music (Public and Residential Areas)
The use of loud music is prohibited in public areas, and dancing in public in non-authorized areas can also get you in further trouble.
You will also find there are often additional local laws that prohibit loud music in residential areas.
Offensive / Rude Behavior
Swearing or making any rude gestures isn’t tolerated and can result in a fine or even imprisonment.
Driving in Dubai can be erratic at times. Remember, road rage is not tolerated. If someone gives your car registration to the police and reports you for swearing or making any rude gestures, you could get a heavy fine.
Photographs (taken without consent)
Taking photos of anyone without their consent is a serious offense under UAE law and can land you in a lot of trouble very quickly.
If you’ve posted any of the images on social media, this will exacerbate the offense, and you will also be charged under cybercrime laws.
Take care in public places that you don’t accidentally photograph someone without their consent.
Possession of Drugs (and other illegal substances)
The penalties for the possession of drugs, even residual amounts, are severe. Including the death penalty if the authorities deemed you were doing something more substantial than personal use.
Also, in the UAE, any presence of drugs in your bloodstream will be regarded as possession of drugs.
Don’t take chances with any illegal substances, even if they are legal in your home country; so-called legal highs in many countries aren’t legal in Dubai.
Public displays of affection (kissing and hugging)
Holding hands in public if you’re a married couple is about as far as you can go regarding public displays of affection. Hugging, kissing, or smooching are not tolerated
Public Transport (Eating and Drinking)
Eating and drinking are prohibited on all forms of public transport. This also includes the stations outside of any official cafe or eatery.
On-the-spot fines can be issued if you’re caught eating.
Ramadan (Rules for Non-Muslims)
The month of Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which Muslims fast during daylight hours to help purify the soul and refocus attention on God. Fasting goes beyond eating and drinking; it’s very much about exercising restraint during the holy month.
For non-Muslims in Dubai, it is illegal to eat, drink, or smoke in public during Ramadan, and this includes while in your car!
Some restaurants (normally within hotels) remain open, but you will eat somewhere out of sight.
Of course, you can eat and drink within the confines of your own home. It’s respectful to keep noise levels down during Ramadan, and you’ll notice that during daylight hours, Dubai seems a much quieter place.
Religious Respect and Tolerance
While the primary religion in Dubai is Islam – visitors can follow their own religions, which is tolerated.
However, anything that is an offense against Islam will not be tolerated on any level and will result in fines and/or imprisonment. There is no grey area.
Muslims are called to pray five times a day, and if you’re on the open road or in a public area away from a Mosque, Muslims will pray wherever they are. Please do not disturb them and respect their privacy.
Respect (Avoid Being Disrespectful)
In the UAE, you must be respectful of everyone around you – no matter what perceived cultural, religious, or even class differences there appear to be between you.
If you display improper, disrespectful conduct in public, you can fall foul of the law and face a fine, imprisonment, or even deportation.
While the above is the law, you will probably observe that in Dubai, certain nationalities of workers are treated less well than others.
However, if you’re rude to others, make offensive hand gestures if someone cuts you up in traffic, or issue an expletive if someone pushes in front of you in a queue, be prepared for the fallout.
Respect may not be universally observed in the UAE. However, if you want to live your life without conflict, you will observe respect unilaterally.
If you are in a confrontational situation, stay calm, bite your tongue, and be the grownup.
Sexual Harassment
Possibly a law that should be universal. Staring at women, following them, or taking photos without consent is sexual harassment, and you can be arrested, fined, or imprisoned.
In 2020, the government announced that men who subject women to harassment of any kind would face tougher punishment.
Sexual Relationships (Outside of Marriage)
Relationship laws and rules in Dubai are strict. Unless you are married, you cannot legally have sex.
In 2020, as a part of a significant overhaul of its Islamic personal laws, the Gulf state announced that living together outside marriage is no longer illegal in the United Arab Emirates.
However, it would be ill-advised to start any form of family planning outside of marriage while living in Dubai.
Shopping Malls (Rules To Follow)
Dress codes exist for visits to public places like shopping malls. Clothes should cover the tops of your arms and legs.
Don’t go to a shopping mall wearing beach or swimming clothes. Cross-dressing of any type shouldn’t even be considered.
Be respectful of Ramadan; it is forbidden to eat or drink during daylight hours. There are some exceptions, with restaurants having curtained-off areas for non-Muslims.
Smoking Rules
Smoking is banned in many public offices and shopping malls, so observe the rules.
There are designated smoking areas all over the city, so the ban is not difficult to observe, even for the heaviest smokers!
Social Media (Posting Rules)
Swearing is punishable by up to one year in prison, including your social media posts.
Any indecent language on WhatsApp or other messaging platforms can get you in a lot of trouble and any offensive posts on FaceBook or other social media networks.
This also includes the use of any emojis that contain indecent gestures. Any use of social media that invades another person’s privacy comes with a prison sentence of up to six months.
Users must refrain from insulting or offensive posts which defame Islam or any other religion. Under Article 35 of the UAE Cyber Crime Law, users could face imprisonment of up to seven years, followed by penalties that could range anywhere between AED250,000 to AED1 million.
Working in Dubai (legally)
You should not attempt to work without a permit in the UAE. You must obtain your paperwork before you take up your job – doing it any other way can land you in prison and deportation.
Dubai Rules & Laws – Summary
Most of the laws and rules in Dubai are common sense and familiar to people from most nations.
However, in certain cases – such as dress code and eating during the month of Ramadan the rules are unfamiliar, and care needs to be taken.
It’s not terribly hard to keep within the laws and rules of the UAE. Dubai is a tolerant city and has done much to make visitors from all nations feel welcome and enjoy a rewarding and fulfilling experience during their stay.
You might find useful:
- Living In Dubai – a detailed guide on moving to Dubai;
- Dubai Income Tax & Taxation Advantages For Expats;
- Working In Dubai – How to Find A Good Job In The UAE.
- Best Neighborhoods In Dubai For Families
Helpful external links:
- Issue of permit to import medicines for personal use – the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention site.
- An overview of the UAE’s recently updated laws – the official site of the UAE cabinet.
- Internet media regulations in Dubai – the UAE government site.
