United Arab Emirates
Safety and security
Terrorism
There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. You should remain vigilant at all times.
UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
Terrorism in the UAE
Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in the UAE.
Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners.
Terrorists continue to issue statements threatening to carry out attacks in the Gulf region. These include references to attacks on western interests, including against UK citizens. Targets may include:
- residential compounds
- military sites
- oil
- transport
- aviation interests
- crowded places
- restaurants
- hotels
- beaches
- shopping centres
- places of worship
Maintain a high level of security awareness, particularly in public places and at public events.
Military activity in the Red Sea area
Military activity is currently underway in response to attempts by Houthi militants to prevent movement of international shipping in the Red Sea. While the area of activity is limited to the Red Sea and Yemen, there is a possibility that Travel Advice for nearby countries could change at short notice. You should continue to monitor Travel Advice and follow any relevant instructions from local authorities.
Crime
Protecting your belongings
Take sensible precautions to protect yourself and your belongings.
Sexual assault
Take care when walking or travelling alone, and use a reputable taxi company, particularly if you are female, and at night. Do not accept lifts from strangers.
Personal attacks, including sexual assault and rape, are relatively rare, but do happen. A male who rapes a female will be given life imprisonment, and in some cases, prosecutors may request the death penalty. However, UAE law places a high burden of proof on the victim to demonstrate that the sexual relations were not consensual, especially when the victim had consumed alcohol or where the alleged attacker was known to the victim. If the sexual relations are determined to have been consensual, either party may still face prosecution for the offence of sex outside marriage.
Drink and food spiking
Do not accept drinks from strangers or leave your drink unattended in bars and clubs. Criminals can spike drinks in order to assault or rob you.
Property scams
If you want to buy property in the UAE, seek appropriate professional advice as you would in the UK. FCDO keeps a list of lawyers for Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Laws and cultural differences
The UAE is a Muslim country. Respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions. Make sure your actions do not cause offence, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you visit religious areas. There may be serious penalties for doing something that might not be illegal in the UK but is in the UAE.
Your passport
UAE employers may ask foreign employees to deposit their passports with the company as part of their terms and conditions of employment. This is illegal under UAE labour law.
It is normal practice for hotels to take a photocopy of your passport or Emirates ID.
Hotel regulations
You cannot stay in a hotel if you’re under 18 years old and not accompanied by an adult.
Pedestrian crossings
Only cross roads using designated pedestrian crossings, it is illegal to cross in other places. Take care when crossing, as vehicles often do not stop at zebra crossings marked on the roads.
Ramadan
Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims. The dates vary by year and country. In 2024 in the UAE, Ramadan will likely start around 9 March and will last for 30 days. During this time, it may cause offence if you:
- eat, drink, smoke or chew gum in public in the daytime, including in your car
- play loud music or dance
- swear in public
Find out how Ramadan is observed in the UAE or get more advice when you arrive from your tour guide, hotel or business contacts.
You should also:
- check opening hours of shops and restaurants
- be aware that if hotels and restaurants are providing food or drink in fasting hours, they may separate you from Islamic guests, for example with screens
- follow local dress codes – clothing that does not meet local dress codes may cause more offence at this time
- be aware that driving may be erratic, particularly when people are trying to get home at dusk
- be patient and show tolerance - fasting can cause tiredness, particularly during the late afternoon and early evening
Dress code
Dress modestly in public areas like shopping malls:
- women should cover the tops of the arms and legs, and underwear should not be visible
- swimming attire should only be worn on beaches or at swimming pools
- cross-dressing is illegal
Swearing and rude gestures
Swearing and making rude gestures (including online) are illegal as they are considered obscene acts. You can be jailed or deported. Take particular care when dealing with the police and other officials.
Public displays of affection
Public displays of affection are frowned upon, you can be arrested for kissing in public.
Sexual relationships outside marriage
Consensual sexual relationships between a male and female outside marriage are generally legal as long as both are over the age of 18 years. This includes extra-marital sexual relationships. However, if either person’s spouse or parent/guardian files a criminal complaint, then both parties of an extra-marital consensual relationship can get a prison sentence of 6 months or longer.
If a person aged 18 or over has a sexual relationship with a person under 18 years old, they will be prosecuted for having a sexual relationship with a minor. If both people are under 18 years of age they will both be prosecuted but punishment is likely to be limited to a caution, parental supervision, judicial supervision, professional training or psychiatric treatment.
If you are unmarried and give birth to a child in the UAE, you will only be able to get a local birth certificate if:
- both you and your partner get married
- you and/or your partner provide a joint declaration, certified by a notary public, to acknowledge the child. Further information is available from the Ministry of Health and Prevention.
If you become pregnant outside of marriage, you may not be covered by your medical insurance. Consult your medical insurance provider before getting pregnant, or giving birth in the UAE.
Financial crime
Financial crimes, including fraud and the non-payment of bills (including hotel bills) can often result in imprisonment and/or a fine. Bank accounts and other assets can also be frozen.
If you are arrested for a financial crime and are not resident in the UAE, it is likely that you will not be allowed bail. If you are convicted, you may not be released from prison until the debt is paid or waived and your full sentence is served.
Weapons and related equipment
You must have permission to bring weapons and related equipment into the UAE, or to transit through the UAE with them, no matter how small the quantity or the purpose. This includes items such as ammunition, body protection items, cleaning kits and gun belts. If you intend to bring restricted items to the UAE, read the UAE customs clearance portal.
Alcohol laws and bans
Drinking alcohol, or having alcohol in your possession, is illegal in the city of Sharjah, 30km north of Dubai.
It is illegal to drink or be under the influence of alcohol in a public place anywhere in the UAE. British nationals have been arrested and charged under this law, often in cases where they have come to the attention of the police for a related offence, such as disorderly or offensive behaviour.
The legal age for purchasing and drinking alcohol is 21 in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and the Northern Emirates except Sharjah, where drinking and having alcohol in your possession is illegal.
If you are resident in Dubai and want to buy alcohol to drink at home, you must get a liquor licence. Liquor licences are no longer required for residents in the other Emirates.
Liquor licences are not required in Dubai to purchase and consume alcohol in licenced venues like hotel bars, restaurants, and pubs. However a liquor licence is required for consuming alcohol in private places like homes or private parties. While this requirement might not be strictly enforced in private settings, it remains a legal requirement.
Outside licensed venues, alcohol is only available to purchase with a liquor licence from the two official liquor distributors in Dubai, MMI and African & Eastern. Tourists can get a temporary liquor licence which is valid for one month, from either supplier. This licence is only for use in Dubai.
Liquor licences are not required for non-residents in the other Emirates; it is possible for tourists and visitors to buy and drink alcohol in licensed venues, such as hotels, restaurants and clubs.
Illegal drugs and prison sentences
There is zero tolerance for drugs-related offences.
The penalties for trafficking, smuggling, using and possessing illegal drugs (including residual amounts) are severe. Sentences for drug trafficking can include the death penalty. Possession of even the smallest amount of illegal drugs can lead to a minimum 3-month prison term or a fine of between AED20,000 and AED100,000. The Emirati authorities count the presence of drugs in the blood stream as possession.
Some herbal highs and products containing cannibidoil (CBD) are illegal in the UAE.
Possessing, concealing or making transactions with money from drugs related offences is a crime, which can lead to imprisonment and a fine.
UAE airports have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items. This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers. Passengers, including transiting passengers, carrying even residual amounts of drugs may be arrested.
Some skincare products and E-cigarette refills may contain ingredients that are illegal in the UAE such as CBD oil. If you are found in possession of such products, they will be confiscated from you and you may face criminal charges. A list of narcotic, psychotropic and controlled drugs where this rule applies, allowed quantities and documents to be presented can be found on the UAE Ministry of Health website.
Fundraising and charitable acts
Fundraising and acts of charity are heavily regulated in the UAE. This includes online and social media activity. Check whether any of the activity you are planning to do in the UAE, or whilst passing through the UAE, is illegal. Seek legal advice if necessary.
Using cameras and binoculars in secure areas
It is illegal to take photos of some government buildings and military installations. Hobbies like bird watching and plane spotting may be misunderstood, particularly near military sites, government buildings and airports.
Do not photograph people without their permission. Men have been arrested for photographing women on beaches.
It is illegal to post material (including videos and photographs) online that is critical of the UAE government, companies or individuals, or which relates to incidents in the UAE. This includes material which appears to abuse, ridicule or criticise the country or its authorities. Material that is culturally insensitive, may also be considered illegal.
Technical equipment
You may need a licence for the use of equipment like satellite phones, listening or recording devices, radio transmitters, powerful cameras or binoculars. Seek advice from the UAE Embassy in the UK.
Media activity
You must apply for the appropriate permissions to carry out media activity, including the production, transmission and/or distribution of printed, digital, audio, video and/or visual information. Failure to do so could result in imprisonment and a substantial fine.
Information about media activity and how to obtain the necessary permits can be accessed by registering on the National Media Council website.
LGBT+ travellers
All same sex activity is illegal in the UAE, and same-sex marriages are not recognised.
The UAE is in many respects a tolerant society and private life is respected, although there have been some reports of individuals being punished for same sex activity, particularly where there is any public element, or where the behaviour has been accused of causing offence. This applies both to expatriate residents and to tourists. See our information and advice page for LGBT+ travellers.
Outdoor activities and adventure tourism
Swimming safety
Rip currents can occur at any beach, and can sweep even the strongest swimmer out to sea. Check for warning signs, especially red flags which mean that swimming is dangerous. Only swim from approved beaches where a lifeguard and flags indicating it is safe to swim are present.
Transport risks
Taxis
Use only licensed taxis or other recognised forms of public transport including the ‘Careem’ and ‘Uber’ apps. In Dubai authorised taxis are painted cream with different coloured roofs – taxis with pink roofs have female drivers. In Abu Dhabi taxis are painted silver/grey.
Road travel
If you are planning to drive in the UAE, see information on driving abroad and check the UAE traffic portal.
If you’re visiting the UAE, you can drive a rental car using your UK driving licence. If you intend to drive a private vehicle as a visitor, check that you’re covered under the vehicle’s insurance.
If you’re applying for residence in the UAE, you can use your UK licence until your residence permit is issued, after which you’ll need to immediately get a UAE driving licence from the traffic department.
Police in the UAE have the power to impound your car for traffic violations that may be considered minor in the UK. They will charge a fee of Dirham 50,000 plus a traffic violation fine to release your car.
Driving standards are not always as disciplined as in the UK and there is a high rate of traffic accidents. Speeding is common, despite clearly signposted legal limits and widespread use of speed cameras.
It is illegal to drink and drive, no matter how small the amount, and your insurance is likely to be invalidated in the event of an accident.
Offensive gestures and bad language directed at other drivers can lead to fines, a jail sentence, and possibly deportation.
Flashing headlights can mean a driver is coming through, rather than giving way to you.
If you have an accident you should follow the rules of the Emirate in which you are travelling:
- in Abu Dhabi, if no one has been hurt and vehicle damage is minor, move your vehicle to the side of the road to avoid blocking traffic; otherwise, you should not move your vehicle
- in Dubai, only move your vehicle if it is causing an obstruction to other motorists
- in the other Emirates, only move your car if the accident is minor and both parties agree who is responsible.
- in all cases, call the police. It is illegal to leave the scene of an accident before the police have arrived
Driving in the desert
Excursions to the desert can be dangerous unless you’re in a properly equipped 4 x 4 vehicle. Always travel with other cars, take a supply of water and a mobile telephone, and leave a copy of your travel plans with relatives, friends or where you are staying.
If you join a tour for driving in the desert or quad-biking, make sure your go with a reputable company who have adequate health and safety procedures.
Always check that such activities are covered by your insurance.
Sea travel
Be careful when travelling by tourist boat. The safety of these vessels may not be up to UK standards. Make sure life jackets are available for all passengers.
Many areas of the Gulf are highly sensitive, including near maritime boundaries and the islands of Abu Musa and the Tunbs in the southern Gulf. Vessels entering these areas have been detained and inspected by the competent authority in the area. Mariners should make careful enquiries with local relevant authorities before entering these waters.
You should consider how regional tensions may affect your route. Vessels operating in the Gulf of Oman, Northern Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden and Bab El Mandeb regions may be at increased risk of maritime attack.